Navratri is indeed a magical time. Goddess Durga is worshipped with a lot of fanfare — beats of dhols, dances, colourful displays and of course delicious food become part of the festivities. The festival is just a week away. In a country where the festival is celebrated in a different way in each region, the food too, is varied. This year whether you plan to feast or fast, here's a comprehensive guide to delicacies to try out during navratri.
Gujarat: If you are planning to head west, to the land of dandiya ras and garba, you are in for a treat. Most Gujaratis celebrate the festival by fasting or refraining to eat grains. Some of them consume only liquids. However, if you are not fasting, there are a variety of food items you can indulge your taste buds with. Sabudana vada or sago fritters with spicy chutney is an option. Usually this snack is eaten during fasting. Another common food you can find this season is the nutritious aloo kichdi and kadhi This is a one pot meal made from samvat rice or barnyard millet and potatoes. Kadhi is made by mixing buttermilk to chickpea flour and tempering it with mustard seeds, ginger and curry leaves. Rich in protein, it is a healthy meal that will keep you feeling full longer.
Bengal: As your head towards the north east, to Bengal, Assam and the other north eastern states, you will be greeted with the sounds of dhol, tasha and dhaki dance. Also wafting in the air will be the irresistible smell of bhog laden with ghee. Bhog or spicy moongdal kichdi with vegetables like potatoes and cauliflower is usually served with tomato and dates chutney, baingan bhaja or fried eggplant and other vegetable preparations. Bengalis are usually known to indulge in a variety of food during Durga puja. Bengali pandals have stalls offering a variety of mouth-watering dishes like ghugni or chickpeas served with chopped onions and chutneys, jilebis, kathi rolls, mutton chops, fried fish and so on.
Punjab: Punjabis celebrate Navratri with kanya puja. After fasting for seven days during Navratri, nine young girls are invited on the eighth day. They are considered to be avatars of goddess Shakti. They are given gifts like bangles, earrings and so on and are also served food. The most common food served is halwa made from semolina, pooris and curry of black chana. The spicy chana and crispy pooris is something you cannot get enough of. Apart from this, households usually make vadas and kichdi from sabudana or sago and have parathas made from amaranth flour.
South India: Navratri in south India usually means a colourful display of dolls and worshipping goddess Saraswati. Apart from that, the different food prepared will delight your taste buds for sure. Chundal or tempered chickpeas is common in most south Indian households during navratri. It is the most common food offered to guests who visit homes to see kolu or display of colourful dolls. Apart from this, the different snacks that are made include laddoos made from sesame seeds, sweet and savoury pongal (a type of kichdi) and a variety of laddoos.
