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Finally, the most awaited festival of this season Navratri is here. Dedicated to Goddess Durga, it is a nine-day occasion that is widely celebrated all over the country. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, it is celebrated in the month of Ashwin and this year Shardiya Navratri will begin on October 15 and will conclude on October 24 with Dussehra.
Besides fasting and worshipping Goddess Durga, the devotees also enjoy Navratri with garba, dandiya and a variety of delicious festive delicacies. Since it is an auspicious festival, we avoid consuming onion, garlic, non-veg and other tamsik food during Navratri. Vegetables, fruits, rock salt, tapioca pearls and certain other sattvik foods are popular during this festival.
When it comes to grains, one has to pick very carefully. Here are five types of grains that are allowed during Navratri:
Kuttu
Also known as buckwheat, kuttu is very common during the fasting season. Kuttu ka atta is widely used all over the country to make vrat wali puris and parathas that can be paired with any kind of side dish. According to Healthline, buckwheat is high in fibre, protein and magnesium that makes it ideal for fasting days.
Amaranth
Amaranth is packed with protein and is an excellent addition to Navratri meals. These starchy seeds are not grains but pseudo cereal. It is not a part of the rice or wheat family. Amaranth can be used to make a variety of dishes such as upma, puris, porridge, tikki, pulao and so on. This grain is known to be good for the heart.
Quinoa
Quinoa is a superfood that can become a part of your daily meals. It is gluten-free and belongs to the family of amaranth. Rich in protein and fibre, quinoa keeps you full for a long time and provides you with energy throughout the day during fasting. Quinoa is mostly enjoyed as a salad, khichdi, porridge and soup.
Samak Rice
Samak rice or barnyard millet is very common during the fasting season. It has got other names as well like sama seeds, samo seeds, samvat grain and sama grains. Besides being gluten-free, they are packed with fibre and protein that can keep you energetic for a long time. You can use samak rice to make pulao, kheer, khichdi as well as dosa.
Singhara Atta
Also known as wheat chestnut, this is made from dried water chestnuts that are turned into flour. Singhara atta is naturally gluten-free and is high in protein and fibre. With very low calories, this vrat-friendly ingredient can provide you with loads of energy. Chestnut flour can be used to prepare parathas, samosas, puris and cheelas.
