Recipes for Auspicious Fasting Days

March 4, 2016mayurisjikoni
Blog post

RECIPES FOR AUSPICIOUS FASTING DAYS

Recipes for Auspicious Fasting Days are usually different from other fasting day recipes. For example if one fasts every Monday or say every Thursday, rather than omitting certain groups of food, only one meal is consumed. Generally, many communities in India abstain from grains, cereals, pulses and certain vegetables during the Ekadashi, Navratri, Shivratri and Adhik Maas Fasting Days.

Eating meat, fish or any non vegetarian food is strictly prohibited during the fasting days. Also people refrain from cooking with onion and garlic during this time.

However, there are some communities in India that don’t follow this gluten free, no beans, pulses, and certain vegetables rule. Nevertheless, on those days they will not cook meat, fish, eggs, onion, garlic. In other words a Satvic Meal is prepared.

What is Ekadashi Fasting?  

Also known as Agheeyaras, Ekadashi in Sanskrit is 11. Hence, the fasting occurs every 11th day of the lunar calendar.As a result, in a month there would be two 11th days. Therefore, on the first 11th the moon is waxing or growing. Meanwhile, the second half the moon is waning or shrinking. Therefore, these two days are considered spiritually important by the Hindus. Subsequently these days are observed by full or partial fasting.

If one is able to fast without any intake of food, they should. If not, many fast by consuming only fruit and milk/yogurt. But many people have one meal that does not comprise of any grains, pulses, cereals and certain vegetables.

Read More About Ekadashi Here.

What Is Navratri?

Did you know that Navratri is celebrated 5 times in a year? I didn’t know that.

  • The first is Vasanta/Chaitra Navratri (around March or April),
  • Ashad Navratri (around June or July),
  • Sharad Navratri (around Sept or Oct), this is the one I celebrate.
  • Pausha Navratri (around Dec or Jan) and
  • Magha Navratri (around Jan or Feb).

 

In short, Nav means nine and Ratri means nights. Therefore, Nine nights are celebrated in the name of Goddess Durga. During these 9 nines and 10 days many devotees of Durga Ma observe fasting.

  • Different Communities or People Observe Navratri Fasting In Different Ways:
  • Some consume one meal of fruits and milk only
  • A few consume normal vegetarian meals but without any salt, onion and garlic.
  • Many fast by not consuming grains,pulses, beans, cereals and certain vegetables.
  • Quite a few follow the tradition of having only one meal during Navratri.

Maha Shivratri Fasting

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu Festival celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva. It also is refers to the night that Shivji performed the Tandava dance. Besides the chanting of mantra, pooja and bhajan, many fast to observe this solemn day. Same rules of food that can be eaten apply here.

Adhik Maas Fasting

Adhik Maas is an extra month in the Hindu Calendar that is inserted to keep the lunar and solar calendars aligned. The lunar year comprises 354 days, compared to the 365¼ of the solar calendar. Therefore every 3 years an extra month is added in the lunar calendar. Also known as Purushottam Month, it is believed that whoever fasts, performs japa, pooja, and devotes time to Purushottam during this month can be awarded all the necessities of life, and after death can ascend to the abode of Lord Krishna.

During this month the fasting rules are the same as those of Ekadashi/ Navratri/ Shivratri.

 

What Foods can be eaten during Ekadashi / Navratri Fasting?

  • Barnyard millet (samo),
  • amaranth(rajgira),
  • tapioca pearls (sabudana),
  • buckwheat (kuttu),
  • water chestnut (singada),
  • quinoa
  • all fruits,
  • milk, yogurt, ghee, paneer, fresh cream
  • rock salt,
  • spices like chili powder, coriander powder, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, nutmeg, saffron, ginger, coriander
  • nuts
  • seeds
  • vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, arbi, carrot, tomatoes, yam, pumpkin, bottle gourd, cucumber
  • oil – only nut or seed oils. Do not use canola, maize,corn, vegetable, mustard oils. Instead use sunflower, peanut, olive oil.

Some religious sects allow fresh turmeric. But once must avoid turmeric powder during fasting as it can be ground in mills where grains have been processed.

Avoid consuming tea or coffee as they contain caffeine. Best to enjoy fresh herbal tea.

Advantages of Fasting

Fasting has recently become a fad in the health and weight loss world, but fasting actually existed centuries ago and is a part of many religions and cultures.  One such tradition is followed by many Hindus world over and that is fasting every fortnight, also known as Ekadashi. The other most observed fasting period is during Navratri.

So what are the advantages of fasting besides the religious aspect?

  • Promotes control of sugar in the blood as it decrease insulin resistance
  • Promotes better health and decreases levels of inflammation
  • Reduces bad cholesterol therefore promotes good heart health
  • Aids weight loss
  • Boosts metabolism
  • Helps to purify the mind and body
  • Fasting on particular religious days or months helps one to follow and practice the religious rituals
  • develops discipline

Main Meals

CHUTNEY & PANEER THALIPEETH
Chutney & Paneer Thalipeeth is a delicious, gluten free, protein rich flatbread that can be enjoyed for breakfast or served with a curry as part of a main meal.
Check out this recipe
RAJGIRA THALIPEETH
Rajgira Thalipeeth is a delish gluten free, vegan and healthy flatbread made from amaranth flour, potato and spices. As no grain flour, onion, garlic is used, makes it an ideal flatbread to enjoy during Navaratri or Ekadashi Fasting.
Check out this recipe
FARALI KUTTU KHICHDI/BUCKWHEAT KHICHDI
Farali Kuttu Khichdi or Buckwheat Khichdi is a gluten free, vegan and healthy meal to enjoy as lunch or dinner.
Check out this recipe
FARALI ROTLI/GLUTEN FREE ROTIS
Farali Rotli/Gluten Free Roti is unbelievably soft and easy to roll. Perfect for fasting days like Ekadashi or Navratri. Or include it in your daily diet especially if you cannot consume any gluten products.
Check out this recipe
BUCKWHEAT SAVOURY PANCAKES |FARALI KUTTU KA CHEELA
Buckwheat Savoury Pancakes or Farali Kuttu Ka Cheela is healthy, easy to make and delicious. Usually enjoyed as a hot breakfast options, these gluten free pancakes are loaded with vegetables. Ideal for fasting days like Ekadashi, Navratri, Shivratri.
 
Check out this recipe
CASSAVA IN COCONUT MILK/MUHOGO WA NAZI
Cassava In Coconut Milk/Muhogo Wa Nazi is a very simple but very flavourful,vegan dish from the coastal region of East Africa. Enjoy on its own or as a side dish.
Check out this recipe
FARALI KADHI/MORIYO NI KADHI
Farali Kadhi/ Moriyo ni Kadhi is a delicious, gluten free yogurt based curry made using barnyard millet. Enjoy it with rice, Indian Flatbread or sip it on its own.
Check out this recipe

WATCH HOW TO MAKE FARALI QUINOA KHICHDI

Light Meal Option

BLUEBERRY AND GRAPE SMOOTHIE
Blueberry & Grape Smoothie is creamy, refreshing, healthy and filling. Enjoy it for breakfast or as a snack.
Check out this recipe
BEETROOT VADA
Beetroot Vada is a delicious, crunchy, spicy take on the traditional Sabudana Vada. Vada is fritters and in this case roasted or boiled beetroot is added to the traditional mashed potatoes, spices and soaked tapioca pearls mixture.  Ideal as a starter or a snack.
Check out this recipe
FARALI PAPDI CHAAT
Farali Papdi Chaat is a gluten free way to enjoy the famous Indian Street Food, Papdi Chaat. Mixture of simple ingredients results in a tangy, sweetish, delightful lip smacking snack.
Check out this recipe
APPLE AVOCADO QUINOA SALAD
Apple Avocado Quinoa Salad is a filling, refreshing, protein rich, gluten free and vegan salad. Nuttiness from th quinoa and nuts, creaminess from the avocado and the crunch from the apple, its a perfect light meal option.
Check out this recipe
PEACH CARDAMOM LASSI
A refreshing, nutritious, healthy, thick and creamy yogurt drink to enjoy during the hot summer, as breakfast, a light meal or as a cooling drink.
Check out this recipe
SAMO TIKKI/BARNYARD MILLET PATTIS
A gluten free, vegan snack made from healthy millet and potato. Shallow fried and delcious, best to enjoy Samo tikki with some green chutney and masala tea.
Check out this recipe
BUCKWHEAT BREAKFAST PUDDING
A quick, healthy, filling, gluten free hot breakfast. So easy to make and make it more delicious by adding spices, fruits, nuts and seeds of your choice.
Check out this recipe
MANGO YOGURT SMOOTHIE
healthy, delicous, filling, creamy mango yogurt smoothie is perfect for both kids and adults as a filling snack or as a breakfast option.
Check out this recipe
AMARANTH FRUITY PUDDING/ RAJGIRA KHEER
Amaranth Fruity Pudding/ Rajgira Kheer is a healthy, filling, nutritious, creamy pudding that can be enjoyed as a dessert or as breakfast. Loaded with nuts and fresh fruits, it is an absolute treat.
Check out this recipe
MUHOGO NA BHAJIA/ CASSAVA BHAJIA
Muhogo Na Bhajia/ Cassava Fritters is a fried snack made from boiled cassava, grated cassava and soaked tapioca pearls. Usually prepared on Ekadashi Fasting days, it is gluten free and vegan. Enjoy these bhajias or fritters as tea time snack, as an appetizer or as a part of a main meal.
Check out this recipe
BEETROOT TOMATO JUICE
A refreshing, healthy, immunity boosting homemade juice without any added sugar.
Check out this recipe
AAM PANNA/ KAIRI PANHA/ RAW MANGO JUICE
Aam Panna/ Kairi Panha also known as aam jhora is a sweet, tangy, cooling summer drink made from raw mangoes. Especially enjoyed during the hot summer months as raw mango has cooling effect on the body. It prevents heat exhaustion as its loaded with sugar and is rich in pectin, Vitamin B and C.
Check out this recipe

Dessert

KALAKAND, WITH COTTAGE CHEESE
Kalakand, with cottage cheese turns out as good as the one with paneer. Moist, soft, delectable barfi, perfect for Diwali.
Check out this recipe
MAPLE ROASTED PEACHES
Maple Roasted Peaches, healthy, flavourful, so easy to make and best part - has no refined sugar. Served with some greek yogurt it makes a fruity summery light dessert. Sprinkle granola and it becomes a delightful fun breakfast.
Check out this recipe
KESAR BADAM PISTACHIO KULFI
Badam Kesar Pista Kulfi is a creamy, delicious frozen treat flavored with almonds, saffron, pistachio and cardamom. Easy to make, it never fails to impress my family and friends. Homemade kulfi is the best as it has no artificial flavorings or colors.
Check out this recipe
ZUCCHINI HALWA - VEGAN
Zucchini Halwa is dairy free, melt in the mouth, flavorful, aromatic halwa cooked in the Indian style. If you are a fan of doodhi ka halwa or bottle gourd halwa then you'll surely love this one. 
Check out this recipe
BAKED APPLES
Baked Apples - apples are baked with a stuffing. Easy to make, absolutely delicious with a tangy caramel sauce that develops when butter and brown sugar melts into the fresh orange juice. Best enjoyed warm.
Check out this recipe
CHIKOO KULFI/ SAPODILLA KULFI
Chikoo Kulfi/ Sapodilla Kulfi is a delicious creamy fruity frozen dessert, easy to make and not too sweet. Perfect summer time treat.
Check out this recipe
KESAR RASGULLA
Kesar Rasgulla is a traditional, sweet, spongy, juicy, delicious Indian Sweet made from paneer or cottage cheese balls in a sugar syrup.
Check out this recipe
SAFFRON TAPIOCA PUDDING
Saffron Tapioca Pudding is a delectable, healthy, filling and nutritious pudding that can be enjoyed for breakfast or as a dessert.
Check out this recipe
APPLE KHEER
Creamy, different from rice pudding, easy to make and delectable apple kheer. Perfect for any festival or prepare it to enjoy a healthier dessert. Best served chilled.
Check out this recipe
THANDAI MAKHANA PHIRNI
Thandai Makhana Phirni is a creamy, delish, cool Indian dessert that can be served during the Festival of Colour, Holi. Easy to make and light too.
Check out this recipe
FIG AND AMARANTH COOKIES
Fig and Amaranth Cookies are gluten free, delicious, melt in the mouth kind of cookies that can be enjoyed on Fasting Days. Amaranth flour, a bit of butter and sugar with chopped dried figs, these cookies are so easy to make.
Check out this recipe
COCONUT LADDOOS/ COCONUT FUDGE BALLS
Coconut Laddoos/Coconut Fudge Balls are easy to make and delicious as dessert or as edible gifts for any festival.
Check out this recipe
QUINOA LAPSI
Quinoa Lapsi is a gluten free version of the traditional Gujarati sweet dish, lapsi. It is not only rich in protein but healthy with the addition of nuts, dried fruits and jaggery. This lapsi is totally suitable for those who follow a gluten free diet 
Check out this recipe
DATE COCONUT ENERGY BALLS
Easy to make, gluten free and vegan Date Coconut Energy Balls make a healthy snack to enjoy any time of the day. Ideal as a lunch box treat, for gifting and for kids parties too.
Check out this recipe
GAJAR HALWA WITH ORANGE & SAFFRON/ CARROT HALWA
Gajar Halwa With Orange & Saffron is a fusion recipe whereby I've prepared the traditional gajar or carrot halwa but have added fresh orange juice too. Absolutely delicious and pure indulgence with flavours of orange and saffron to celebrate any occasion like India's Independence Day.
Check out this recipe
FRESH COCONUT BARFI/ KOPRA PAAK
Moist, soft, delectable fresh coconut barfi that is made from freshly grated coconut, sugar, milk and khoya.
Check out this recipe

THANDAI MOUSSE
Looking for an easy dessert to make for the upcoming Holi festival? Try out Thandai Mousse - light, smooth and melt in the mouth kind of dessert.
Check out this recipe
SAMO/MORIYO KHEER
Gluten free, creamy, delectable Samo/Moriyo Kheer is a pudding that can be enjoyed as a dessert or for breakfast.
Check out this recipe
MARBLE BARFI
Marble barfi or fudge is an easy to make delicous sweet. Add any dried fruits and nuts of your choice. Ideal for festivals and as edible gift.
Check out this recipe
MANGO KULFI
Mango Kulfi is an Indian frozen dessert which is a bit more dense and less creamier than an ice cream. Addition of cardamom and fresh mango pulp makes it a must have dessert during the mango season or summer. 
Check out this recipe
SANTRA BASUNDI/ TANGERINE KHEER
Santra Basundi/ Tangerine Kheer is a creamy, sweet, thickened milk dessert. Its a popular Gujarati Sweet served along with the main meal.
Check out this recipe
BEETROOT HALWA
Beetroot Halwa is a colourful, tasty and easy to make halwa using fresh beetroot, milk, cream, spices and nuts. It can be served hot or cold. We prefer to have it hot. Go on if you still haven't planned anything for Janmashtami, make this halwa as it gets ready with 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe
SHRIKHAND - GUJARATI STYLE
Shrikhand is a creamy, delicious yogurt based Gujarati sweet dish. Nuts and spices add an exotic flavour. It is usually served with hot puris.
Check out this recipe
SABUDANA KHEER /TAPIOCA PEARL PUDDING
A creamy, delicious, gluten free, rich pudding enjoyed during fasting days or whenever you feel its kheer time.
Check out this recipe

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13 Comments

  • code2cook

    September 10, 2018 at 2:40 am

    wow I am drooling here with so many fasting recipes. You have collected a lot many fasting recipes so far. Looking forward to farali dhokla and farali kadhi. sounds yummmmmmm

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 10, 2018 at 9:21 pm

      Thanks Bhawana, yes I have quite a bit as I use to cook a lot when the whole family was together and we all would fast.

  • Priya Vj

    April 5, 2022 at 10:22 am

    Fantastic collection of farali food. Why wait until vrat wale din to enjoy these yumm delicacies.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      April 5, 2022 at 8:06 pm

      Thank you so much Priya, actually sometimes I make some of the dishes even when it is not vrat day. Love them.

  • Jayashree T.Rao

    April 7, 2022 at 4:20 am

    Nice collection of fasting recipes, I would be happy to have these anytime. I was not aware of the five navratris. Good to know that.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      April 7, 2022 at 6:58 pm

      Thank you so much Jayashree and go ahead and enjoy the dishes whenever you want to.

  • Seema

    April 7, 2022 at 6:48 am

    The collection here is delicious. I don’t usually do much religious fasting, but if it looks like these recipe,I don’t mind at all. Loving this collection.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      April 7, 2022 at 6:56 pm

      Thank you so much Seema, I too don’t keep many fasts but yes try and fast for Ekadashi whenever possible. Also do the 8th day of Navratri. Can enjoy these dishes even when it is not a fasting day.

  • Kalyani

    April 7, 2022 at 7:35 am

    Such a lovely collection of festival fasting recipes. I only know about Chaitra and sharad navratri. Glad to learn a lot more esp the Adhik Maas fasting too !

    1. mayurisjikoni

      April 7, 2022 at 6:54 pm

      Thanks Kalyani. Adhik Maas fasting is what my side of the family has been observing for years. I fasted for the last one and felt so good. The next one is next year.

  • Archana

    April 21, 2022 at 9:33 am

    Wow this 20 fasting foods are delicious. The post is more of Indian fasting guide. I did not know we have 5 Navratri. Thanks for the info.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      April 21, 2022 at 8:08 pm

      That’s true Archana, it is mainly based on Indian fasting as I have no idea the restrictions other religious fasts may have.

  • Sabudana Khichdi – Mayuri's Jikoni

    May 25, 2022 at 11:47 pm

    […] FOR MORE FASTING RECIPES CLICK HERE. […]

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