Navratri 2024: Sattvic Pulao Varieties You Can Try At Home

Navratri is one of the most celebrated festivals in India with much spiritual importance. The nine days beginning from 3rd to 12th October this year will be observed as a period of worshipping the goddess Durga in her various forms. A time for devotion, fasting, and purifying physically as well as spiritually, many follow special dietary practices during these auspicious times to honour the goddess and attain high levels of spirituality.  

During Navratri, many devotees follow a Sattvic diet to purify themselves better, achieve serenity, and boost energy. Sattvic food avoids onions, garlic, or any food product that can fuel negative thoughts and emotions. Instead, it embraces ingredients that are light on the stomach and promote mental clarity and calmness. Such foods also keep energy levels up during the fast, making it appropriate for those seeking healthy and satisfying meals.

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Among the many tasty and delicious Sattvic preparations that can be indulged in, pulao is one of the most versatile and a hearty meal. It is quick to make, highly versatile, and and provides the necessary sustenance to get through the day while observing fasting rituals. Here's a list of lip-smacking varieties of Sattvic pulao that you can try during Navratri to add flavour and nutrition to your meals. 

Jeera Pulao 

One of the simplest yet flavourful variations of Sattvic rice dishes is Jeera Pulao, where basmati rice is tempered with cumin seeds in ghee to lend a subtle yet aromatic flavour. Being known to facilitate digestion, this pulao is great to have during fasting; paired with a light cucumber raita or a vrat-friendly sabzi like lauki kofta or dahi ke aloo, it's a perfect Navratri meal. Quick to make and works as a soothing, digesting dinner option. 

Vegetable Pulao 

A great option for anyone looking for something colourful and nutritious is vegetable pulao. It has some fasting-friendly vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and green beans, to name a few, sauteed in ghee and then mixed with basmati rice. A Sattvic diet could include spices that are mild in nature, such as cumin, coriander powder, black pepper, etc, giving it a wholesome, well-balanced meal with ample fibre, vitamins, and minerals. 

Dry Fruit Pulao 

This is a more indulgent and richer Sattvic rice preparation perfect for those who want to pamper and treat themselves during the special days of navratri fasting. It contains a liberal scattering of almonds, cashews, raisins, and pistachios sautéed in ghee before stirring it into cooked basmati rice. Dry fruits infuse an enjoyable crunchiness and sweetness, while the ghee lends the rice a luxurious feel. This pulao can be served with simple yoghurt or can be relished on its own as a happy, healthy meal during Navratri. 

Palak Pulao 

Palak Pulao is a healthy and delectable green recipe that consists of fresh green spinach and aromatic rice. This recipe is basically blanched spinach that is pureed into a soft paste and cooked with rice, cumin, and mild spices like black pepper and green chillies (optional, depending upon the preferences related to fasting). A powerhouse of iron, vitamins, and antioxidants, spinach accompanies this pulao very well. It not only satisfies your health consciousness but also tastes great, ensuring you stay energised during Navratri. 

Samak Rice 

Samak rice is nothing but barnyard millet. It is a fasting grain prepared during Navratri. Rich in fibre, and gluten-free, with no special preparation needed, this is the perfect substitute for regular rice. The Samak rice pulao is cooked with cumin seeds and rock salt, occasionally with carrots and potatoes so that it becomes light, fluffy, and easy to digest along with vrat-friendly curries or yoghurt; This pulao is not only filling but also easy to digest, making it a staple for those observing strict fasts.