Maha Shivratri 2024 Prasad Recipes: Today, 8th March 2024, marks the celebration of Maha Shivratri, one of the significant Hindu festivals that pays reverence to Lord Shiva. This festival holds great spiritual importance, and devotees observe fasts, offer prayers, and perform rituals with utmost dedication. As part of the fasting rituals, devotees consume Saatvik food, which includes fruits, nuts, milk, root vegetables, and grains like buckwheat, amaranth, and tapioca pearls. Saatvik food is considered to be healthier, more nutritious, and easier to digest, and it aims to increase energy levels, happiness, and calmness in individuals. However, just because the festival is observed with fasting doesn't mean it has to lack flavour. To add some excitement to the celebrations, here are five healthy, tasty, and quick recipes that one can try out. With these delectable options, one can experience the essence of the holy festival while also enjoying a delightful blend of devotion and tradition. 1. Sabudana Khichdi: Soak 1 cup of sabudana (tapioca pearls) overnight. Drain and mix with 1/2 cup boiled, cubed potatoes, 1/4 cup roasted peanuts (crushed), and salt to taste. In a pan, heat 2 tbsp. ghee, add 1 tsp. cumin seeds, and 2 chopped green chillies. Sauté for a minute. Add the sabudana mixture and cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the pearls become translucent. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves, and serve hot. 2. Singhare Poori: Mix 1 cup singhare ka atta (water chestnut flour) with 1/4 cup boiled, mashed potatoes, and salt to taste. Add water gradually to form a dough. Divide the dough into small balls and roll them into small patties. Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the pooris until golden brown. Serve hot with yoghurt or vrat ki chutney. 3. Vrat ke Aloo: Boil and cube 2-3 potatoes. Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a pan, add 1 tsp cumin seeds, 2 chopped green chillies, and 1 tsp ginger paste. Sauté for a minute. Add the boiled potatoes, salt to taste, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder. Mix well. Cook for a few minutes until the potatoes are coated with spices. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves, and serve hot. 4. Makhana Kheer: Dry roast 1 cup of makhana (fox nuts) until crunchy. Coarsely grind them. In a pan, heat 1 litre of milk and bring it to a boil. Add the ground makhana and simmer for 10–15 minutes. Add 1/4 cup sugar (or to taste) and 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder. Cook until the kheer thickens. Garnish with chopped nuts, and serve warm or chilled. 5. Thandai: Soak 1/4 cup almonds, 2 tbsp poppy seeds, 1 tbsp fennel seeds, and 1 tsp cardamom seeds overnight. Blend the soaked ingredients with a little water to form a smooth paste. In a large vessel, mix the paste with 1 litre of chilled milk, 1/2 cup sugar, a pinch of saffron, and 1/2 teaspoon rose water. Strain the mixture to remove any solids. Chill it in the refrigerator for a few hours. Serve cold, garnished with rose petals or chopped nuts. With these delectable options, your Maha Shivratri celebration can be a delightful blend of devotion, tradition, and culinary exploration. Enjoy these delicious fasting recipes, and wish all our readers a blessed Maha Shivratri 2024!
