Navratri is that time of the year when we worship Goddess Durga and her nine distinct forms or avatars by celebrating the nine-day Navratri festival. Many devotees observe the nine days of fasting to pay homage to the Goddess. It is the time to abandon desires and material things and strengthen our faith in “Maa”. Some people also prefer to visit the places renowned for the Durga Puja celebration during the Navratri festival.
During festive seasons the flight prices get higher, so people generally prefer to travel via train. Another reason to opt for the journey via train is the enthusiasm of devotees and travellers to feel the rhythm of the Navratri season from the train’s window. And What could be more exciting than having the Navratri food on train during the journey? RailRestro, one of the leading e-catering app, does Navratri special food delivery in train, including the Navratri Vrat Thali.
Significance of Navratri Festival
“Navratri” is a Sanskrit word mixed up with the word “Nava” means nine and “Ratri”, which means night. It is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals to invoke goddess Durga ” and spans nine nights of rejoice every year. It is believed that Navratri is celebrated on the common theme of Victory of Good over Evil. Maa Durga killed Mahishashur – a Buffalo demon of Hindu mythology and Maryada Purushotam Rama killed Ravan on Vijayadashami, the 10th day of Navaratri.
Every year, people celebrate Vijayadasami with a stage drama named “Ravan Vadh”, or Ramlila. During Navratri, most people avoid consuming non-vegetarian food items and the food is prepared using garlic and onion. Fasting for nine days is observed, which is considered to be therapeutic.
Here’re the Lists of Navratri Special Food in Train You Can Order via the RailRestro App
1. Sabudana Khichdi:
Sabudana Khichdi is full of starch and carbohydrates and has little protein, vitamins and minerals. This easy-to-digest dish is created with sabudana, peanuts and mild spices. Peanuts make for a more balanced diet. Sabudana Khichdi will improve your energy level during fasting and replenish the body with the required nutrients.
2. Kuttu Ka Dosa
Buckwheat flour or Kuttu ka atta is frequently consumed in fasting. It is packed with nutrients like protein, magnesium and vitamin E. It is rich in protein and fibre. If you like dosas, then try a different Kuttu recipe. You can relish the crispy dosa prepared with Kuttu ka atta and potato filling. Mint and coconut chutney will add to the taste of this dosa.
3. Singhare ke Atte ka Samosa
Your favourable tea break snack is here! Now you can enjoy your favourite snacks while travelling. It contains ingredients like sendha namak, chestnut flour and a filling of spiced chironji.
4. Makhana Kheer
Makhana Kheer is made up of Makhana, milk and nuts. It is an all-time favourite dessert for devotees during fasting in Navratri.
5. Navratri Thali
Special Navratri thali contains Kuttu Puri, Buttermilk, Raita, Paneer’s vegetable, Aaloo’s Vegetable, Vrat Papad and fruit salad. The vegetables are prepared especially keeping in mind the precautions of ingredients and pureness required for the devotees.
6. Aloo Paratha (made of Singhada flour)
Fill your tummy with yummy Aloo Paratha during your Navratri fasting. RailRestro offers Aloo Paratha, made up of Singhada flour and filled with a mixture of Aloo & sendha namak.
7. French Fries (Fast)
Get Fried potatoes in ghee and mix them with sendha namak to make your tea time crunchy. One can order their French fries while travelling by train via RailRestro’s mobile application.
8. Paneer Paratha (made of Singhada flour)
It is also like Aloo Paratha but filled with Paneer and some vegetables. Make your dinner more delicious with your loved one on the train.
9. Sabudana Vada
The other Sabudana recipe is here! Sabudana Vada is very common among devotees. A crunchy Vada with coriander-chilli chatni will make your evening special on train.
10. Curd / Butter Milk
Curd or Buttermilk is a healthy choice one can have during fasting. E-catering apps offer Curd and butter milk on train.
What to Eat and to Avoid During Navratri Vrat
Religious Fasting or Vrat is more about our bond with the omnipotent than the foods we eat. Moreover, the idea behind fasting is to purify the soul and decontaminate the body and mind.
Usually, devotees are in a dilemma over what to eat during Indian Navratri fasting/Vrat, but there is no prescribed rule book. Our bodies tend to suffer from reduced immunity during seasonal change and certain foods are believed to attract negative energies. So, to prevent the harmful effects of such foods, we should avoid consuming them around this time. Here are a few fasting rules to guide you on what you can eat and what you must avoid:
There are Two Methods of Fasting:
- Falahar Vrat (Only fruits, milk, coconut, dry fruits and without salt)
- Salt Diet (Particular flours, few vegetables, limited spices, and no processed and polished food items)
List of Permitted Navratri Foods Items
- Flour – Sama Chawal, Sago (Sabudana), Kuttu Atta, Singhare Ka Atta, Amaranth (Rajgira), Fox Nut Flour
- Milk Products – Milk, Curd, Buttermilk, Malai, Khoya, Cream, Ghee.
- Nuts – Peanuts (Moongphali), Makhana (Fox Nuts ), Cashew Nuts, Almonds, Pistachio, Walnuts, Pine Nuts, Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Watermelon Seeds.
- Spices – Rock Salt (Sendha Namak), Jeera (Cumin Seeds), Kali Mirch (Black Pepper Powder), Green Cardamom (Chhoti Elaichi), Amchoor Powder (Mango Powder), Cloves (laung)
- Fruits – All fresh fruits, Coconut Water
- Root Vegetables – Potatoes (Aloo), Sweet Potato (Shakarkand), Colocasia (Arbi), Raw Banana, Kaddu (Yellow Pumpkin), Cucumber, Ginger (Adrak), Raw Green Papaya
- Vegetables – Coriander leaves, Green chilli, Lemons (Neeboo), Lauki (Bottle Gourd)
- Cooking Oils– Ghee or Peanut Oil (Avoid refined oils).
Food to Avoid During Navratri Fast
- Grains (Whole Wheat Flour, Besan, Sooji, Rice)
- Legumes / Pulses
- Meat Products (Eggs, Chicken, Lamb)
- Hing (Asafoetida)
- Processed Food (including regular salt)
- Turmeric (Haldi)
- Garam Masala
If you don’t want to fast, you can consider a Vegetarian / Sattvik diet that helps your body detox. Because it excludes garlic and onions that release excess heat. Fasting is based on the concept of consuming nutritious foods. So, you can stay healthy, both physically and mentally.
You can order Navratri special food on train by using RailRestro e-catering app or visiting its official website. Order these food items or Navratri special thali in train at least two hours before the scheduled journey time with a valid PNR number, train number, and date. You can select the payment option by online mode or COD, based on your convenience. With RailRestro, you can even Pre-book your Navratri meal just after your ticket booking.
RailRestro Wishes you a Very Happy Navratri!