Doesn’t it feel like a crime of sorts to be cooped up inside your room, when the weather outside is so pleasant? India sure knows how to celebrate Spring, which is why we have so many festivals around this time. Now Holi is still a couple of days away from now, but you have another, perfectly acceptable reason to guzzle down some delicious Thandais. Maha Shivratri falls on 1st March this year. Arguably one of the biggest Hindu festivals. Maha Shivratri is a grand festival celebrated in honour of the Hindu deity Shiva, the name ‘Maha Shivratri’ translates to ‘the great night of Shiva’. There are several legends associated to the festival, and what we do know for sure is that it is one of the oldest Indian festivals.
Usually, devotees wake up early, take a bath and visit temples. They perform the ‘Mahaabhishekam’, by pouring milk and ghee on the Shiva Lingas, they also offer flowers and fruit to the deity. Countless devotees even take a trip to Ujjain and Kashi Vishwanath, two of the biggest pilgrimage sites for Shiva devotees on this special day to seek divine blessings.
Other common features of Shivratri festival are overnight vigils and day-long fasting. Shivratri Vrat or fasting is of two kinds, nirjala, in which people not only refrain from food but also a drop of water until they break their fast, and phalhari, which is much more widely followed. In phalhari vrat, you can consume milk, fruits, and even light, vegetarian satvik food.
If you are observing a Phalhari vrat for Shivratri this year, it is always a good idea to keep replenishing yourself with vital nutrients, a part of which you can get from these Thandai. Here are some fresh and flavourful Thandai recipes you will love.
Mango Thandai Recipe For Mahashivratri 2022
Made with mango puree, poppy seeds, peppercorns, cardamom and saffron, this loaded Thandai is all things summery and revitalising. We bet you won’t be able to stop at one glass.
Rose Thandai For Mahashivratri 2022
Pink and picture-perfect, this rose-flavoured Thandai made with goodness of rose petals, poppy seeds, elaichi, saunf and almonds is everything you need to reboot and reset, each time you feel low on energy.
Pan Thandai For Mahashivratri 2022
Pan or Betel leaf is a beloved Indian mouth freshener, where a betel leaf is filled with areca nuts, rose jam, herbal smears and candies. Brimming with the strong and refreshing flavour of Paan, this thandai is sure to rejuvenate you in a couple of seconds.