The Shravan month coincides with the start of the monsoon season in India. During this period, Hindus celebrate by observing fasts on Mondays, known as Sawan Somwar. Shravan begins right after Devshayani Ekadashi when Lord Vishnu enters a deep meditative sleep. During this month, Lord Shiva takes charge of the Universe, allowing Lord Vishnu to rest and rejuvenate. The Mondays in Sawan, called Sawan Somwar, are considered extremely sacred and propitious. Devotees of Lord Shiva undertake rigorous fasts, known as Sawan Somwar Vrat, where they avoid consuming food or seeds, seeking blessings for health, success and enlightenment from Lord Shiva. During the fast, the devotee eats Sawan foods.
Devotees mark the whole period with religious observances, such as weekly fasting and temple visits, making it an important time for them. Devotees also celebrate Sawan, also known as Shravan, a sacred month in the Hindu calendar devoted to Lord Shiva. They celebrate this month with cosmic devotion and zeal, especially during the monsoon season, and mark it with numerous rituals, fasting, and cultural festivities. Let’s delve into the rituals of somwar and understand the importance of dedication towards the lord Shiva. Fasting is a major concern during this period, whether you are at home or traveling around the globe. However, you still have ample options of sawan foods according to your taste preferences.
So let’s explore the culinary journey of Vrat food during your train journey.
How To Do Sawan Somvar Vrat?
The aim of fasting is to maintain an active body, alert, and highly focused on spiritual
practices. Here are 5 simple methods how you can keep fast according to your capability:
- Exclude onion and garlic from your meals for the day.
- Use regular salt with Sendha Namak while preparing your meals.
- Try to eat only fruits and dry fruits during your fasting. .
- Drink only natural liquids such as water, coconut water, and freshly extracted fruit juices without added sugar or other preservatives.
- Observe a Nir-Aahar fast not eat grains, cereals, and other foods.
Delightful Sawan Foods to Enjoy on Your Train Journey
The beginning of sawan comes with the happiness in terms of rains and storms which greets people, providing them relief from the scorching heat of the previous month. The weather becomes lighter and nature becomes greener with the opulence of freshness. Now its time to enjoy and relish the sawan food on train.
Satvik Thali
Meals without onion and garlic are considered Tamasic. Instead of using plain white salt, people use Sendha Namak in all dishes. You can have fruits and dry fruits throughout the day, even during your train journey. Opt for liquids with natural fruits, such as coconut water and fresh fruit juice, without added sugar or preservatives. Follow a Nir-Aahar fast by avoiding grains and cereals. Enjoy lightly cooked meals prepared with minimal oil and spices, often in a gentle and simple manner.
This unique thali consists of kheer, Boondi raita, Bedmi poori or kachori, rasedar aloo tamatar sabzi. Specifically design it for those who enjoy a pure vegetarian meal without onion and garlic. You can conveniently order a Satvik thali during your train journey with RailRestro.
Sabudana Khichdi
Sabudana, also known as sago or tapioca pearls, is famous for being light yet fulfilling and is often enjoyed during fasting. Rich in carbohydrates and light, people generally preferred to have sabudana during sawan. We use it in a variety of dishes such as sabudana tikki, sabudana kheer, sabudana pakoda, and sabudana papad. Among these, sabudana khichdi stands out as one of the finest options, especially during the Sawan. Cook it without onion and garlic, and include groundnuts and coriander leaves. This traditional Indian dish combines soaked sabudana with boiled potatoes, roasted peanuts, curry leaves, and various herbs.
Sabudana Khichdi is a first and foremost choice for Sawan food on train. Not only is it flavorful, but it’s also beneficial for digestive health and keeps you energetic due to its high carbohydrate content. You can conveniently order sabudana khichdi while traveling by train through RailRestro.
Jain Thali-
“Jain meals do not contain onion, garlic, or other root vegetables. They comprise various fruits and vegetables that grow above ground, and for flavor, a variety of Indian spices are added.
Jain Deluxe Thali
The Jain Thali is perfect for those who prefer a Jain diet, but it’s also a great option if you’re finding pure vegetarian food without onion and garlic. This Jain deluxe thali includes a variety of dishes such as Paneer Butter Masala, Chana Masala, Dal Fry/Dal Tadka, Jeera Rice, three pieces of Butter Chapati, Raita, Salad, pickle, and Gulab Jamun. Jain Thali is a strictly vegan meal that prohibits all root vegetables and animal products. If you want authentic shravan food in train, RailRestro is the best option during your train journey.
Jain Eco Thali
The Jain Eco Thali offers a pleasant, nutritional meal perfect for those following Jain meal preference. It includes flavorful Chana Masala with soft chickpeas in a scrumptious and thick gravy and all time going Dal Fry or Dal Tadka. Relish with 3 soft chapatis, steamed rice, a fresh salad, and a complimentary pickle, this thali provides a nutritious and fulfilling dining experience. Order Jain food on train by RailRestro app.
Sabudana Vada
One of the most popular Sawan special dishes that everybody preferred to eat Sabudana Vada. As we know Sabudana contains a huge amount of carbohydrates that provide energy to the body for a long time. People who keep fast during Navratri use to have this delicious and crispy Sabudana Vada. You can order this Vada while traveling by train from RailRestro.
Kuttu ki Puri and Sabji
Kuttu ki puri is a crunchy and tasty fluffy bread made and eaten during fasts/vrats like sawan and other festivals. Generally served with aloo, Arbi, Kaddu and chana ki sabji to add more flavor into it and added boondi raita. These items are rich in protein and also great for those who are allergic to gluten. These dishes contain rutin, a phytonutrient that levels down cholesterol as well as blood pressure. During the month of shravan, people usually have kuttu ki puri and sabji also during journey they can prefer to order sawan food on train. With the best aroma and taste you can easily relish food in train. It’s an old traditional recipe everyone has during the shravan and other festivals. Enjoy and savor the delightful shravan food in train during your journey.
Veg Standard Thali
Enjoy pure veg food in train by ordering veg Standard Thali is a delightful variety of Indian dishes. Enjoy and savor your journey with a platter that consists of various items: paneer butter masala, seasonal vegetables, dal fry, chapati, rice, a sweet dish, and salad with pickle. Veg Standard Thali is preferred among train passengers. You have ample options even during Sawan, making it convenient for those who prefer to eat pure vegetarian food on train. The Veg Standard Thali is an all-time favorite among passengers during Sawan.
Faqs Related to Sawan Foods Rituals on Train
Q. What food is eaten in Sawan?
Ans. Kuttu flour is often used during fasting duration. Sabudana khichdi a known dish made with sago. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are all-around and and easily prepared. You can also make sabudana vada or Khichdi using rice and sago incorporated with vegetables like potatoes and peanuts.
Q- What food is not allowed during Sawan?
Ans. All seeds and cereals, including wheat, rice, oats, and barley, are not used during the fast. Non-vegetarian foods, such as meat, fish, and eggs, are strictly forbidden during Sawan fasts. Instead of using regular salt people used sendha namak during the fast.
Q. Can we eat garlic in Sawan?
Ans. Garlic and onions are usually excluded during fasting as they are thought to generate heat and are regarded as tamasic in nature. Fasting foods focus on sattvic (pure and light) foods.