Navratri Sweet Dishes: Traditional and Modern Recipes for the Festive Season

Navratri, one of India’s popular festival, is the story of devotion, fasting and feasting. Spanned over 9 nights, this festival honors Goddess Durga in her 9 avatars, each signifying strength, wisdom and prosperity. Ashtami and Navami are the final two days when special pujas and prasad are offered to young girls (Kanjak) symbolising the goddess.

Fasting during Navratri doesn’t mean you have to miss out on indulgence. Traditional sweets like sabudana kheer, makhana ladoo and singhare ka halwa have been a staple for generations. And modern twists like chocolate infused rabri and fruit based shrikhand bring a new spin to these festival treats. Each sweet dish has significance – whether it’s offering kheer for divine blessings or ladoos for prosperity.

This Navratri, enjoy the best of both tradition and creativity in your kitchen. Whether you like the comfort of classic vrat friendly sweets or the excitement of fusion desserts, there’s a sweet to complete your festival. Let’s explore some must try sweet dishes to add to your Navratri celebrations.

10 Navratri Sweet Dishes: Traditional and Modern Recipes for the Festive Season

Navratri is not just a time for devotion and fasting but also for enjoying sweets that are both nourishing and symbolic of divine blessings. During these nine days, households across India prepare special vrat-friendly sweets to honor Goddess Durga.

Whether you’re following age-old traditions or adding a modern twist to festive treats, there’s something for everyone. From classics like sabudana kheer and singhare ka halwa to innovative creations like fruit shrikhand and chocolate-infused rabdi, these sweets bring joy and energy to your celebrations. Here’s a mix of 10 Navratri sweet dishes you must try this festive season.

Sabudana Kheer

Sabudana kheer is a must-have during Navratri. Sabudana (tapioca pearls) is slow-cooked in full-fat milk, jaggery or sugar and cardamom. Add a handful of chopped nuts like almonds and cashews and it’s light on the stomach yet super filling. The go-to dessert for fasting devotees.

Singhare Ka Halwa

Made with water chestnut flour, singhare ka halwa is a comforting sweet dish that’s vrat-friendly and nutritious. The flour is roasted in ghee until aromatic, then jaggery or sugar and milk is added. Chopped pistachios and saffron for garnish. This halwa is known to give strength during fasting.

Kuttu Ke Aate Ka Malpua

Navratri wouldn’t be complete without kuttu ke aate ka malpua. Buckwheat flour is mixed with mashed banana, milk and cardamom to make a batter which is then deep fried in ghee. The crispy malpuas are soaked in a light jaggery syrup. A sweet treat.

Makhana Ladoo

Makhana (fox nuts) is a superfood that’s consumed during fasting. Roasted makhanas are ground and mixed with jaggery, crushed nuts and ghee to make small ladoos. These energy rich sweets are not just yummy but packed with nutrients, keep you energized throughout Navratri.

Rajgira Sheera

Rajgira (amaranth) is considered sacred during fasting. Rajgira sheera is made by roasting amaranth flour in ghee, then adding sugar and cardamom. It’s so delicious it will melt in your mouth. Often offered as prasad on Ashtami and Navami.

Sweet Potato Rabdi

Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, so a great vrat friendly dessert ingredient. Boiled and mashed sweet potatoes are slow cooked in thickened milk, jaggery and saffron. A healthier version of traditional rabdi during Navratri.

Coconut Barfi

Coconut is used in prasad offerings and coconut barfi is a simple yet divine sweet. Fresh coconut is cooked with condensed milk and cardamom. Set into squares and garnished with almonds, this barfi is a must have during vrat celebrations.

Banana Halwa

Banana is considered auspicious and is used in fasting sweets. Ripe bananas are mashed and sautéed in ghee, then jaggery and cardamom are added. A quick and easy dessert that requires minimal ingredients and loaded with energy.

Apple Shrikhand

Shrikhand is a classic Indian dessert and a fruit based version is perfect for Navratri. Hung curd is whisked with powdered sugar and cardamom. To add a festive touch, grated apples are mixed in, a refreshing yet indulgent dessert.

Dry Fruit Kheer

For a luxurious vrat dessert, dry fruit kheer is a must try. Almonds, cashews and pistachios are blended into a paste and slow cooked with thickened milk and jaggery. Saffron and cardamom garnished, this rich and creamy kheer is perfect for prasad.