Written By: Ayush Srivastava | Updated: Mar 18, 2026, 4:07 PM
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Finding delicious and filling meals during the nine days of Chaitra Navratri can be simple with the right ingredients. This guide focuses on traditional "Vrat" recipes that use pure ingredients to keep your energy high and your spirit festive.
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The Chaitra Navratri festival for 2026 is set to take place from March 19 through March 27. During this time, many people choose to avoid common grains and instead prepare meals using sago, buckwheat and fresh dairy. Popular dishes like Sabudana Khichdi, Kuttu Puri and creamy milk sweets are perfect for staying satisfied while following religious traditions.
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To make a perfect khichdi, soak one cup of washed sago pearls in 3/4 cup of water for 4 to 6 hours until soft. Sauté cumin seeds, green chilies and curry leaves in ghee before adding cubed boiled potatoes and roasted crushed peanuts. Mix in the soaked sabudana with rock salt and a dash of lemon juice for a light and zesty meal.
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Prepare a firm dough by mixing two cups of buckwheat flour with rock salt and one or two mashed boiled potatoes. Use a little warm water to bind the mixture without making it sticky. Roll into small circles and deep-fry in hot ghee or peanut oil until the puris puff up and turn golden brown.
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Boil full-fat milk until it reduces, then stir in crumbled mawa and a splash of condensed milk for a rich texture. Add saffron, cardamom and a mix of fried almonds, cashews and raisins for a royal finish. Simmer on low heat until creamy and serve either warm or chilled.
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Cook grated coconut and condensed milk in a pan over low heat until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides. Add a pinch of cardamom and chopped nuts for flavor and crunch. Once cooled slightly, roll the mixture into small round balls and coat them with extra desiccated coconut.
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Dry roast fox nuts until brittle and grind them into a coarse powder along with roasted almonds or peanuts. Bind the powder with melted jaggery or dates and a small amount of warm ghee. These bite-sized treats are excellent for a quick energy boost during the long fasting days.
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