Chaitra Navratri, the nine-day Hindu festival, has begun with devotees across the globe joining in the celebration with great zeal and devotion. The festival is also known as 'Vasant Navratri' as it is observed with the advent of Spring.
During this auspicious time, devotees worship Goddess Durga and her nine avatars such as Durga, Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Maha Gauri, and Siddhidatri with great enthusiasm. Each day is dedicated to one of the nine forms of Devi Durga. During Navratri, devotees also prepare traditional snacks at their homes and sing bhajans to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga.
On Navratri, many observe a fast for all or some of the nine days as an offering to Goddess Durga.
During fasting, Hindus entirely avoid the consumption of onions, garlic, and other spices. And yet several delicious dishes are prepared during this festival, such as Sabudana Halwa, fruit chaat, kheer, kuttu ki puri, and more. Here are some easy options to try at home while observing fasting.
Sabudana Halwa
Sabudana Halwa is a traditional Indian snack made from tapioca pearls, sugar, ghee, cardamom, and other ingredients. It is high in carbohydrates, which provide energy for the body. This makes it an excellent snack for people needing a quick energy boost during fasting. It is a very easy and simple recipe method that you can try at any time at home during a fast.
Fruit Chaat
Fruit chaat is the best option to fill your stomach while you are fasting. It is a snack made from a combination of various fruits and spices. It is typically made by mixing a variety of fresh fruits such as apples, bananas, papayas, pomegranates, and grapes.
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Milk & Juice
Finally it’s crucial to stay hydrated while fasting, and drink plenty of fluids. Healthy drinks like lemon water, coconut water, buttermilk, and watermelon juice can easily be prepared at home. However, luckily some of the packaged variants are also available in the UK market.
For example, packaged buttermilk is available in all large supermarkets, as is naturally packaged coconut water by Vita Coco or Innocent.
Kuttu ki puri
Kuttu ki puri (buckwheat flour), is a type of flour commonly used in fasting recipes during festivals. It is rich in fiber, which can help improve digestion and regulate blood sugar levels. It is a healthy source of essential nutrients such as protein, iron, and magnesium. You can enjoy crispy, and flavoured Kuttu ki puri served with aloo ki sabzi and curd.
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Makhanas
Makhana, also known as foxnuts or lotus seeds, is a popular ingredient in diet snacks during fasting periods. It is typically roasted in ghee or fried to create a crispy and crunchy snack with a pinch of Sendha Namak. Makhana is low in calories and high in protein and fiber, which can help you feel full and satisfied with fewer calories. There are a variety of ways to use these snacks, such as in kheer (pudding), curry, or as a topping on salads.
Have a blissful celebration with these healthy and crispy snacks.
(ANI)