Maha Shivratri: Foods you can have while observing ‘vrat’

Maha Shivratri that is being celebrated on Thursday is an auspicious day for Hindus. The term literally means ‘the night of Shiva’. The day falls in the Hindu month of ‘Phagun’. Devotees observe this day by worshipping Lord Shiva, at a temple or at home and observe a day-long fast (also known as ‘vrat’).

Although the ‘vrat’ isn’t compulsory, many fast for a day to mark their devotion for ‘Shiva’. Many also observe an austere form of fast — known as ‘Nirjala Vrat’, where they consume no food or water throughout the day.

Also read: Mahashivratri with Sadhguru: An eclectic mix of culture, spirituality and an uninhibited celebration of life

However, it isn’t easy for everyone to pull through, hence they consume certain foods on this day.

Here are food you can have on Maha Shivratri:

Potato-based dishes

You can have any potato-based dish, given it doesn’t have onion, garlic, ginger or turmeric. Use ‘sendha namak’ (rock salt), instead of the normal salt.

You can make a curry, or other dishes, such as aloo tikki, aloo pakoda, aloo chaat and even aloo ka halwa!

Non-cereals

During fast, normal cereals such as wheat, rice and millets are replaced with sago, buckwheat and ragi. Several dishes can be prepared using these, such as sabudana khichdi, sabudana vada, kuttu singhare ki puri, etc.

Milk-based dishes

On Maha Shivratri, milk is offered to Lord Shiva and is often poured on the shiva lingam. On this day, you can make several milk-based dishes, such as sabudana kheer, makhane ki kheer, thandai, etc.

Fruits

Also read: Maha Shivratri 2021: Quotes and wishes for your dear ones

Several devotees do ‘phalahar’ (‘phal’ means fruits) during the day, in which they can munch on fruits and dry fruits. You can eat fruits as they’re or can prepare fruit salad, chaat or milkshakes.