Navratri, one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals in India, isn't just a time for spiritual devotion, it’s also a celebration of purity, food, and tradition. As devotees observe fasting during these nine auspicious days, Navratri special thalis or vrat thalis take centre stage in every household.
These vrat-friendly thalis are thoughtfully prepared with sattvic ingredients and are packed with flavour, nutrition, and tradition. If you're wondering how to create a wholesome, satisfying Navratri food special thali at home, this blog is your ultimate guide. From simple recipes to cooking tips and smart kitchen tools, we’ve got you covered.
What is a Navratri Vrat Thali?
A Navratri vrat thali is a platter of dishes specially curated for fasting days. The ingredients used are aligned with traditional fasting rules, meaning no onions, garlic, wheat, or rice. Instead, alternatives like sabudana, kuttu, samak rice, sendha namak (rock salt), and potatoes are commonly used.
Each component of the thali brings variety and balance, from carbs to protein to healthy fats, making it both festive and fulfilling.
Common Ingredients Used in Navratri Special Dishes:
Before we dive into the recipes, it’s important to understand the staples of Navratri special thali preparations:
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Flours: Buckwheat (kuttu), water chestnut (singhara), amaranth (rajgira)
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Carbs: Samak rice, sabudana (tapioca pearls), sweet potatoes
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Proteins: Peanuts, yogurt, paneer
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Vegetables: Potatoes, bottle gourd (lauki), pumpkin
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Spices: Sendha namak, cumin, black pepper
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Oils: Ghee, groundnut oil, sunflower oil
These sattvic ingredients ensure digestion is easy and the food stays pure and energizing.
Navratri Special Vrat Thali Recipes:
Here’s a sample vrat thali menu you can make at home. We’ve included prep/cook time and course details to help you plan better.
1. Sabudana Khichdi
Quick Recipe Overview:
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Prep Time: 4 hours (for soaking sabudana)
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Cook Time: 15 minutes
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Cuisine: Indian (Sattvic)
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Course: Main
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Serves: 2
Ingredients:
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1 cup sabudana (tapioca pearls)
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2 medium boiled potatoes
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½ cup roasted peanuts
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1 tsp cumin seeds
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2 green chilies, chopped
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Sendha namak to taste
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Ghee for cooking
Method:
Soak sabudana for 4 hours. Heat ghee, add cumin, green chilies, and cubed potatoes. Add sabudana and crushed peanuts. Stir gently until translucent. Season with rock salt and serve hot with yogurt.
2. Kuttu Ki Puri
Quick Recipe Overview:
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cook Time: 15 minutes
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Cuisine: North Indian
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Course: Bread/Main
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Serves: 2
Ingredients:
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1 cup buckwheat (kuttu) flour
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1 boiled potato, mashed
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Rock salt, water, oil for frying
Method:
Mix flour, mashed potato, and salt. Add water to knead dough. Roll into small puris and deep-fry until golden brown. Serve with aloo sabzi or dahi.
3. Samak Rice Pulao
Quick Recipe Overview:
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cook Time: 15 minutes
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Cuisine: Indian
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Course: Main
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Serves: 2
Ingredients:
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1 cup samak rice
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1 small carrot (optional), diced
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1 potato, diced
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Cumin seeds, green chilies, ghee, sendha namak
Method:
Heat ghee, add cumin and green chilies. Add vegetables, sauté, and add soaked samak rice. Add water and salt. Cover and cook until fluffy. A light yet filling main dish is ready.
4. Vrat Wale Aloo (Potato Curry)
Quick Recipe Overview:
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cook Time: 15 minutes
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Cuisine: North Indian
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Course: Side
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Serves: 2
Ingredients:
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3 boiled potatoes
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1 tsp cumin
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1 tomato (optional)
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Rock salt, chili, coriander
Method:
Heat ghee, crackle cumin, and add mashed potatoes. Add minimal spices and cook well. Optional tomato adds tang. Garnish with coriander.
5. Sweet Dish: Makhana Kheer
Quick Recipe Overview:
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
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Cook Time: 20 minutes
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Cuisine: Indian
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Course: Dessert
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Serves: 2
Ingredients:
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2 cups makhana (fox nuts)
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500 ml milk
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Sugar or jaggery (to taste)
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Cardamom, dry fruits
Method:
Roast makhana in ghee and crush slightly. Boil milk and add makhana. Cook till thick, add sugar and cardamom. Garnish with chopped nuts. Serve warm or chilled.
How to Assemble a Balanced Navratri Thali?
A well-rounded Navratri thali includes a mix of carbs, proteins, and dairy. Here's how to assemble a perfect vrat thali:
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Main: Sabudana Khichdi or Samak Pulao
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Bread: Kuttu ki Puri
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Side: Vrat Wale Aloo
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Dessert: Makhana Kheer
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Accompaniments: Fresh curd, peanut chutney, cucumber salad
Add a glass of lemon water or chaas (buttermilk) to complete your vrat meal.
Cook Faster, Eat Smarter: Festive Cooking with Smart Appliances
Festive cooking often means preparing multiple dishes at once, and that’s where smart kitchen appliances become your best friends. Make your Navratri special dishes easier and more efficient with these:
Wipro Induction Cooktop:
Take your festive cooking up a notch with the Wipro Induction Cooktop. It’s modern, powerful, and perfect for multi-tasking during Navratri.
Top Features:
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Smart sensor touch control for quick operation
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Crystal glass plate gives a stylish, classy look and easy cleaning
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2000W power for faster cooking – saves time during fasting prep!
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Precision temperature control for perfect results every time
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Seven pre-set Indian menu functions designed for desi cooking styles
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Energy-efficient – up to 4x savings vs gas stoves
Perfect For: Frying puris, boiling milk for kheer, or simmering sabudana khichdi with ease and precision.
Wipro Elato 1000W Mixer Grinder:
Grinding chutneys or making smooth kheer becomes a breeze with the Wipro Elato Mixer and Grinder, built for the modern Indian kitchen.
Top Features:
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1000W pure copper motor for heavy-duty use
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Deep Flow Breaker (DFB) tech ensures faster, smoother grinding
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Elegant design with ergonomically designed handles
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Stainless steel jars in 3 sizes – 1500ml, 1200ml, 500ml
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Stone-pounding SS blades mimic traditional grinding
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Overload protection for safety and peace of mind
Perfect For: Grinding roasted peanuts, making chutneys, or dry grinding sendha namak and spices.
Navratri isn’t just about fasting; it’s about reconnecting with purity, tradition, and nourishment. With simple, wholesome ingredients and a dash of love, your Navratri special thali can be a feast for the soul. Whether you’re preparing for a large family or making a plate just for yourself, these vrat recipes will make your celebration complete.
And when you're backed by smart, efficient tools like the Wipro Induction Cooktop and Wipro Elato Mixer Grinder, festive cooking becomes faster, easier, and even more enjoyable.
Wishing you a joyful, flavourful, and spiritually uplifting Navratri!
FAQ
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Can I use an induction cooktop to prepare Navratri thali?
Yes! The Wipro Induction Cooktop is ideal for festive cooking, it heats up quickly, offers precision temperature control, and has pre-set Indian cooking modes to help you make puris, sabudana khichdi, and kheer with ease.
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Is a mixer grinder helpful for making Navratri dishes?
Absolutely! The Wipro Elato 1000W Mixer Grinder is perfect for preparing peanut chutney, grinding rock salt, or blending kheer mixtures. Its stone-pounding blades mimic traditional methods for authentic taste.
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How can I cook faster during Navratri when preparing multiple dishes?
Use the Wipro Induction Cooktop with its 2000W high power for quick cooking and multi-dish prep. Pair it with the Elato Mixer Grinder for time-saving grinding, a winning combo for hassle-free festive cooking.
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Are these Wipro appliances easy to clean after cooking festive meals?
Yes! The Wipro Induction Cooktop’s crystal glass plate and the Elato Mixer's stainless-steel jars are both designed for easy cleaning, making your post-cooking cleanup quick and simple