Share
In Hindu tradition, food is not only nourishment for the body but also an offering of devotion. Navratri, observed over nine days, is a festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms. Each day has a colour, a form of the goddess, and a sacred food offering, or Naivedyam. Preparing and presenting these offerings has been part of household practice for generations, serving as both a ritual of respect and a means of connecting with divine energy. The foods vary across regions, but the symbolic value of each offering remains constant. These Naivedyams are simple dishes prepared with care, using ingredients that are considered pure, light, and satvik. They are first offered to the goddess and then shared among family members as prasad, carrying spiritual and cultural meaning.
Day One: Rice And Ghee For Shailaputri
The first day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Shailaputri, associated with strength and stability. The Naivedyam is often plain steamed rice with ghee. The offering symbolises a foundation of purity and nourishment, reminding devotees that simplicity holds sacred value. Rice is boiled until soft, and a spoon of pure cow ghee is poured over it before it is offered. The dish is basic, yet deeply symbolic of new beginnings.
Day Two: Fruits For Brahmacharini
On the second day, Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped, representing austerity and penance. The Naivedyam traditionally consists of seasonal fruits, chosen for their freshness and natural sweetness. The offering symbolises restraint, purity, and the sustenance that nature provides without elaborate preparation. Bananas, guavas, pomegranates, and apples are usually washed, arranged on a plate, and offered directly. The absence of cooking underlines the goddess’s life of discipline and devotion.
Day Three: Kheer For Chandraghanta
The third day honours Goddess Chandraghanta, who is associated with peace and protection. The Naivedyam is usually kheer, a sweet dish made from rice, milk, and sugar. The dish symbolises prosperity, love, and warmth within the household. Preparation begins with simmering rice in milk until it thickens, followed by sugar or jaggery for sweetness, and a garnish of cardamom and dry fruits. The comforting nature of kheer makes it a beloved offering during Navratri rituals.
Day Four: Malpua For Kushmanda
On the fourth day, Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped, the deity believed to embody cosmic energy. Malpua, a sweet pancake, is offered as Naivedyam. The dish symbolises creativity, joy, and nourishment of both body and spirit. The batter is made from flour, milk, and fennel seeds, which is then fried into small pancakes and dipped in sugar syrup. The preparation is simple, yet the offering reflects the idea of abundance and fulfilment.
Day Five: Bananas For Skandamata
The fifth day is dedicated to Goddess Skandamata, symbolising maternal love and compassion. Bananas are offered as Naivedyam because of their accessibility, nutritional value, and sweet taste. The offering symbolises nurturing care, fertility, and health. Bananas are usually presented whole and unpeeled, signifying completeness and respect for natural creation.
Day Six: Honey For Katyayani
On the sixth day, Goddess Katyayani is worshipped, a form associated with courage and victory. Honey is the traditional Naivedyam, representing sweetness, unity, and the healing powers of nature. Honey is offered directly in a small bowl or drizzled over fruits. The offering symbolises the belief that victory in life is achieved through harmony and natural balance.
Day Seven: Jaggery For Kalaratri
The seventh day honours Goddess Kalaratri, associated with power and protection. Jaggery is offered as Naivedyam because of its earthy sweetness and nourishing qualities. Jaggery symbolises strength, resilience, and the richness of nature. Small cubes of jaggery are placed on a clean leaf or plate, sometimes accompanied by gram flour sweets like jaggery chana. The offering reminds devotees of inner strength and the ability to overcome difficulties.
Day Eight: Coconut For Mahagauri
On the eighth day, Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped, representing purity and serenity. Coconut is offered as Naivedyam, symbolising fertility, prosperity, and purity of heart. The coconut is usually broken fresh during the ritual, its water sprinkled as part of the puja, and the white kernel offered. The practice also reflects the breaking of ego and the surrender of self before the divine.
Day Nine: Til Or Sesame Seeds For Siddhidatri
The ninth and final day is dedicated to Goddess Siddhidatri, believed to bestow spiritual knowledge and fulfilment. The Naivedyam is usually til or sesame seeds, offered either raw or in the form of til laddoos. Sesame symbolises immortality, spiritual power, and protection from negative energies. The seeds are considered auspicious and are believed to purify both body and soul. Til laddoos are prepared by roasting sesame seeds and binding them with jaggery into small balls.
