Navratri recipes | South indian navaratri naivedyam recipes

Navratri recipes, a collection of 50+ south Indian navaratri naivedyam recipes and some snacks recipes to make during this festive season. Navratri is a Hindu festival that is celebrated for 9 nights and 10 days. During this time Goddess DURGA or SHAKTI is worshiped in 9 different forms known as NAVADURGA. It is believed that worshiping the Godess during this period also called as shardiya navratri brings in prosperity, wealth and wisdom to her devotees and destroys the evil. The 10th day is celebrated as “VIJAYADASHAMI” also known as “DUSSEHRA” or “DASARA”, a day of victory of the good over the evil.

This year navratri is celebrated from 7th October to 15th October 2021. Vijayadashami is celebrated on 15th October 2021.

Each state has their own way of celebrating Navratri, Offering different kinds of foods to the Goddess, fasting , decorating golu/kolu/koluvu , inviting friends and relatives is a part of the 10 day festival celebrations.

The fasting that we ever did at my mum’s home was to consume 1 to 2 cups of milk or fruits during the day abstaining from all other foods and break the fast after the evening puja, with a meal that was offered to the Goddess as naivedyam or prasadam.

As a family tradition, Devi Bhagavata puranam was recited with much devotion during the 9 days and late in the nights. Special naivedyam foods are prepared to please the Goddess Durga and it is also a way of expressing our devotion.

I have compiled some common South Indian navaratri recipes which includes Andhra recipes that are offered to the goddess as navratri naivedyam or prasadam during these 9 days. However these could differ from each family , community or region. I have also included some snacks that can be made during these 10 days.

Some people do not use sabudana or sago for naivedyam as they are processed heavily. I have used them for making payasam recipes in the past which are included in the list below, if you have a tradition of not using them, just skip it from the recipe.

Navratri naivedyam

Sweet pongal, ven pongal, rice payasam (made with cow’s milk & jaggery), curd rice (daddojanam), kesari, medhu vada / garelu, poornam burelu, black chana sundal, panakam, vadapappu and chalimidi are mainly offered to Goddess Durga during these 9 days as naivedyam.

Chilies, ginger & garlic are not used in any of the foods. Pepper corn can be used in vada, ven pongal and curd rice. These depends on family customs and beliefs. Please check with your family for the same.

Navratri recipes

Pongal, payasam, panakam, kesari varieties

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We  don’t use green chili, onions and garlic for naivedyam foods. If you make mixed dal vada and alasanda vada, use your judgement whether to use or no..You can skip them from the recipes

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