Top Five Navratri Recipes

Topica seeds, Buck wheat flour, Water Chestnut flour, Lotus seeds, Potatoes and Rock Salt are used  and regular spices and vegetables are abstained in Navratri and other religious fasts.

During these special occasions you can prepare any one or all of the following  lip smacking dishes.

1- Sabudana Khichdi 

Topica or Sago seeds (Sabudana) 1 1/2 cups
Peanuts 1/4 cup
Green chilies 4-5
Potato 1 medium
Oil 3 tablespoons
Curry leaves 1-2 sprigs
Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon
Rock Salt to taste
Sugar
Lemon juice 1 teaspoon
Fresh coconut scraped for garnishing
Fresh coriander leaves a few sprigs

Procedure

• Take sabutdana & Wash them couple of times in water.
• Soak for 2-3 hours or perhaps more depending upon the type of sabutdana. With the experience one can easily make out that pearly white & soft sabutdana is better than off-white & hard variant.
• Drain the excessive water by the help of big strainer.
• Check that sabutdana is properly soaked or not by pressing the sabutdana with the hand, it is easily mashed that means it is properly soaked.
• Roast peanuts (mung phalli) after the removal of the skin in a non-stick pan or microwave it. Grind it in a mortar - pestle (Hamam Dasta) or mixie.
• Mix the coarsely powdered roasted peanuts with sabutdana and sugar.
• Heat 2 tbsp oil and crackle 1 tsp cumin. When they are browned add 1 chopped green chili. Fry for half a minute on medium flame.
• Add the chopped boiled potatoes (2 small to medium size potatoes) and saute for a minute or two.
• Add the Sabudana and saute till the pearls become translucent on a slow flame stirring continuously.
• Garnish the Sabudana Khichdi with some coriander leaves, drizzle with ½ to 1 tsp lemon juice and serve the Sabudana Khichdi hot. You can also add garnish with grated coconut.

2- Buckwheat Dosa (Kattu Ka Dosa)

Ingredients

Kuttu or buckwheat flour- 5tbsp
Arabi or Colocasia (boiled and mashed)- 2tbsp
Ajwain or carom seeds- 1 pinch
Green chillies- 4 (chopped)
Oil -2tbsp
Potatoes- 2 (boiled)
Ginger (Adrak)- ½ inch (chopped)
Turmeric (Haldi)- 1 pinch
Red chilli powder(Lal Mirch)- 1/2tsp
Coriander leaves- 2 stalks (chopped)
Sanda namak or rock salt- as per taste

Procedure

For Filling

• Mash the boiled and peeled potatoes into a uniform mass.
• Add rock salt and turmeric to it. Mix them using your fingers.
• Season with half chopped green chilies.
• To the pan, add 1tbsp of ghee.
• Add the ginger and saute for 1 minute. Then... Read More

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Related Information

Click here to read Navratri Aarti

Click here to read Navratri Chalisa

Click here to read Navratri Bhajans

Click here to read Navratri Mantras for All Nine days

Click here to read all details about Navratri festival

Click here to Download Navratri Latest Wallpapers

 Click here to read Navratri Stuti, Strotras or Suktam

Legends behind the celebration of Navratri

Once there was a demon named Mahishasura and he got the boon from Lord Brahma indicating that no man would be able to kill him. He began empowering Gods and finally he overturned the throne of God Indra. At that time, all Gods went to the Hindu trinity Gods: Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva for seeking their help.

All the three Lords along with other Gods united their powers to create Goddess Shakti. She and demon Mahishasura fought for nine days, and on the tenth day, Goddess Durga killed him by slaying his head  to conclude the war. These nine days are celebrated as Navratri.

According to another legend, Goddess Uma, consort of Lord Shiva and daughter of King Daksha of Himalayas once came to know the fact that her father had organized Yagna at his palace and intentionally not invited her. Lord Shiva suggested his wife Uma that she should not visit her parental home as an uninvited guest, but all his efforts went in vain. She had great bonding with her parents that made Goddess Uma ignore her husband's wishes.

Finally, when she visited her parental home to be a part of Yagna, she was insulted by her father. He used obscene words for Lord Shiva. Uma got raged by that, she jumped into the fire of Yagna, from where she gained prominence as ‘Sati’. In her next birth, she again got herself married to Lord Shiva and concluded the conflict of her past life by making peace with her parents. It is believed that during the nine-day period of Navratri, she visits her parents.

According to Hindu epic Ramayana, Navratri relates to the Lord Rama. The legend  goes that Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga for nine days, to seek her blessings to provide him with strength and power to slaughter Ravana. He wanted to release his consort Sita from the shackles of a powerful demon king Ravana, who had abducted her by disguised himself as... Read More 
 

What to offer (Bhog) Goddess Durga during the nine days of Navratri?

During Navratri, devotees offer many items to Goddess Durga as per their desire. However, Hindu epics mentioned that specified item should be offered to the  nine forms of Goddess Durga during the nine days. These offerings should be later distributed among the poor and the needy.

There is a believe that if anyone offers the following items with utmost devotion, then all his desires will be fulfilled.

Offerings to Goddess Shailputri

On the first day of Navratri, Shailputri is worshipped and pure ghee is offered at her foot. Pleased with the offering made to her, she blesses her devotees healthy & blissful life.

Offering To Goddess Brahmacharini

On the second day, Brahmacharini is worshipped. People  keep fast and offer sugar to the deity. Pleased with the offering, she  blesses her devotees with long life.

Offering To Goddess Chandrghanta

On the third day, Chandraghant is worshipped. People keep fast & offer milk to the deity. Pleased with the offering, she blesses her devotees to get rid of all miseries of life and lead happier & peaceful life.

Offering To Goddess Kushmanda

On the fourth day, Kathmanda is worshipped & Offer Malpua to the deity. Pleased with the offering Goddess eradicate all the fear and bless her devotees with the improved decision making power. After offering to the goddess it is auspicious, if it is distributed in the temples as the sacrament.

Offering To Goddess Skandmata

On the fifth day, Skandmata is worshipped & bananas are offered to the deity. Pleased with the offerings Goddess ensures good physique.

Offering To Goddess Katyayani

 On the sixth day, Katyayani is worshipped & honey is offered to the deity. Pleased with the offering of her devotees Goddess helps in  improving  their personality.


Offerings to  Goddess Kaalratri

On the seventh day, Kaalratri is worshipped  & items made of jaggery are offered to the deity. Pleased with the offerings made by her devotees by improving their financial status.

Offerings to Goddess Mahagauri

On the eight day, Mahagauri is worshipped & coconut is offered. Pleased with the devotion, Goddess bless the childless couple with a child.

Offerings to Goddess Siddhidatri

On the ninth day, Siddhidatri is worshipped & Til or grains  are offered to her... Read More
 

Shri Durga Chalisa for Vasant or Chaitra Navratri 2015

Significance of Durga Chalisa

Durga Chalisa is a  40 verse devotional song written for reciting Goddess Durga’s divine characteristics and invokes her blessings. 
Devotees of Goddess  Durga have a common practice of chanting verses of Durga Chalisa as a part of their everyday life especially during Navratri. It is considered that recitation of Durga Chalisa brings  joy & happiness  to their  family.

Shri Durga Chalisa

Namo Namo Durge Sukh karani,
Namo Namo ambe Dukh harani.

Nirakar hai jyoti tumhari,
Tihun lok pheli ujayari.

Shashi lalat mukh mahavishala,
Netra lal bhrikutee vikarala.

Roop Matu ko adhika suhave,
Daras karat jan ati sukh pave.

Tum sansar shakti laya kina,
Palan hetu anna dhan dina.

Annapurna hui jag pala,
Tumhi adi sundari Bala.

Pralaya kala sab nashan hari,
Tum gauri Shiv-Shankar pyari.

Shiv yogi tumhre guna gaven,
Brahma Vishnu tumhen nit dhyaven.

Roop Saraswati ko tum dhara,
De subuddhi rishi munina ubara.

Dharyo roop Narsimha ko amba,
Pragat bhayin phar kar khamba.

Raksha kari Prahlaad bachayo,
Hiranakush ko swarga pathayo.

Lakshmi roop dharo jag mahin,
Shree Narayan anga samihahin.

Ksheer sindhu men karat vilasa,
Daya Sindhu, deeje man asa.

Hingalaja men tumhin Bhavani,
Mahima amit na jet bakhani.

Matangi Dhoomavati Mata,
Bhuvneshwari bagala sukhdata.

Shree Bhairav lara jog tarani,
Chhinna Bhala bhav dukh nivarani.

Kehari Vahan soh Bhavani,
Langur Veer Chalat agavani.

Kar men khappar khadag viraje,
Jako dekh kal dan bhaje.

Sohe astra aur trishoola,
Jase uthata shatru hiya shoola.

Nagarkot men tumhi virajat,
Tihun lok men danka bajat.

Shumbhu Nishumbhu Danuja tum mare,
Rakta-beeja shankhan samhare.

Mahishasur nripa ati abhimani,
Jehi agha bhar mahi akulani.

Roop karal Kalika dhara,
Sen Sahita tum tin samhara.

Pan garha Santan par jab jab,
Bhayi sahaya Matu tum tab tab.

Amarpuni aru basava loka,
Tava Mahirna sab rahen asoka.

Jwala men hai jyoti tumhari,
Tumhen sada poojen nar nari.

Prem bhakti se Jo yash gave,
Dukh-daridra nikat nahin ave.

Dhyave tumhen jo nar man laee,
Janam-maran tako chuti jaee.

Jogi sur-muni kahat pukari,
Jog na ho bin shakti tumhari.

Shankar Aacharaj tap keenhon,
Kam, krodha jeet sab leenhon.

Nisidin dhyan dharo Shankar ko,
Kahu kal nahini sumiro tum ko.

Shakti roop ko maran na payo,
Shakti gayi tab man pachitayo.

Sharnagat hui keerti bakhani,
Jai jai jai Jagdamb Bhavani.

Bhayi prasanna Aadi Jagdamba,
Dayi shakti nahin keen vilamba.

Mokon Matu kashta ati ghero,
Tum bin kaun hare dukh mero.

Aasha trishna nipat sataven,
Moh madadik sab binsaven.

Shatru nash keeje Maharani,
Sumiron ekachita tumhen Bhavani.

Karo kripa Hey Matu dayala,
Riddhi-Siddhi de karahu nihala.

Jab lagi jiyoon daya phal paoon,
Tumhro yash men sada sunaoon.

Durga Chalisa jo gave,
Sab sukh bhog parampad pave.


Translation of Durga Chalisa in English

I bow to You O Goddess Durga, the bestower of happiness!
I bow to You O Goddess Amba, who Ends all miseries.

The radiance of your light is limitless and all pervading and all the three
realms (Earth, Heaven And the Nether World) are enlightened by Thee.

Your face is like the moon and mouth very huge. Your eyes shine with a
red glow and You have a Frightening frown.

O Mother! Your look is enchanting, the very sight of which ensures welfare
of the devout.

All the powers of the World repose in Thee and it is You who provide food and
wealth for the World's survival.

Like the feeding Mother Annapoorna.... Read More
 
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Related Information

Click here to read Navratri Aarti

Click here to read Navratri Bhajans

Click here to read Navratri Mantras for All Nine days

Click here to read Navratri Stuti, Strotras or Suktam

Click here to read all details about Navratri festival

Click here to Download Navratri Latest Wallpapers