Sharad Navratri 2026 Dates: October 11 (Sunday) to October 20 (Tuesday), 2026 Ghatasthapana: October 11, 2026 (Sunday) Vijayadashami / Dussehra: October 20, 2026 (Tuesday)

Jai Mata Di! Sharad Navratri is a sacred time of fasting, prayer, and seeking blessings from the nine forms of Maa Durga. For NRI Hindus balancing busy work schedules, time zones, and limited access to traditional ingredients, this guide offers simple, practical, and sattvic vrat recipes that are easy to prepare abroad.

All recipes use sendha namak (rock salt), avoid onion and garlic, and prefer ghee as the cooking medium. Most ingredients are readily available at Indian grocery stores like Patel Brothers (USA), Iqbal Foods (Canada), or online via Amazon and specialist puja stores.

Day 1 – October 11, Sunday | Maa Shailputri | Colour: Yellow

Sabudana Khichdi – The perfect light vrat breakfast Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

• 1 cup sabudana (soaked 4–6 hours or overnight)
• ½ cup roasted peanuts (coarsely crushed)
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 green chillies (slit)
• ½ tsp sendha namak
• 1 potato (boiled & cubed)
• Fresh coriander & lemon juice

Method

1. Drain sabudana well and spread on a plate for 30 minutes so grains separate.
2. Heat ghee; splutter cumin and green chillies.
3. Add potato cubes and sauté for 2 minutes.
4. Add sabudana and peanuts; stir on medium heat 5–7 minutes until sabudana turns translucent.
5. Season with sendha namak, lemon juice, and chopped coriander.

NRI Tip: Soak sabudana the night before. Ready in under 15 minutes for busy mornings.

Day 2 – October 12, Monday | Maa Brahmacharini | Colour: Green

Kuttu Ki Puri with Aloo Sabzi – Filling meal to sustain the day Ingredients

• 1 cup kuttu (buckwheat) flour + ½ cup boiled mashed potato + sendha namak for puris
• 3 boiled potatoes, cumin, red chilli powder, amchur, ghee for sabzi

Method Knead kuttu flour with mashed potato and sendha namak into firm dough. Roll puris and deep-fry in hot ghee/oil. For sabzi: Heat ghee, splutter cumin, add potatoes and spices, simmer 5 minutes.

NRI Tip: Kuttu flour is widely stocked. Keep dough covered with a damp cloth.

Day 3 – October 13, Tuesday | Maa Chandraghanta | Colour: Grey

Sama Rice Pulao – Light and wholesome lunch Ingredients

• 1 cup sama rice (barnyard millet)
• 1 tbsp ghee, cumin, cashews, green chilli, sendha namak, coriander

Method Soak sama rice 20 minutes. Fry cashews in ghee, splutter cumin & chilli, add rice and 2 cups water + sendha namak. Cook covered on low heat 12–15 minutes.

NRI Tip: Sama rice (also called varagu or samai) is easily available and cooks quickly.

Day 4 – October 14, Wednesday | Maa Kushmanda | Colour: Orange

Kaddu Ki Sabzi with Singhara Roti Ingredients

• 400g pumpkin (kaddu), fenugreek seeds, red chilli powder, amchur, ghee, sendha namak
• 1 cup singhara (water chestnut) flour for rotis

Method Make soft dough with singhara flour + sendha namak + warm water. Cook rotis on tawa with ghee. For sabzi: Splutter fenugreek, add pumpkin, cover and cook, then add spices.

NRI Tip: Singhara flour (singoda) is a Navratri staple in most Indian stores.

Day 5 – October 15, Thursday | Maa Skandamata | Colour: White

Makhane Ki Kheer – Creamy, comforting dessert Ingredients

• 1 cup makhana, 750 ml full-fat milk, sugar, cardamom, saffron, ghee, nuts

Method Roast makhana in ghee, simmer in milk 20–25 minutes, add sugar, saffron and cardamom. Garnish with nuts. Serve warm or chilled.

NRI Tip: Makhana stores well and is available year-round.

Day 6 – October 16, Friday | Maa Katyayani | Colour: Red

Aloo Jeera (Vrat Style) – Quick 15-minute side dish Ingredients

• 4 boiled potatoes, ghee, cumin, dried red chillies, red chilli powder, sendha namak, coriander & lemon

Method Heat ghee, splutter cumin & chillies, toss potato cubes with spices until golden. Finish with lemon and coriander.

Day 7 – October 17, Saturday | Maa Kalaratri | Colour: Royal Blue

Sabudana Vada – Crispy snack Mix soaked sabudana, mashed potato, crushed peanuts, green chillies, cumin & sendha namak. Form patties and fry until golden. Serve with coriander chutney (coriander + chilli + lemon + sendha namak).

Day 8 – October 18, Sunday | Maa Mahagauri | Colour: Pink

Kuttu Ka Cheela – Savoury pancakes Mix kuttu flour with curd, green chilli, cumin, sendha namak & coriander into a dosa-like batter. Cook on tawa with ghee on low-medium flame.

Day 9 – October 19, Monday | Maa Siddhidatri | Colour: Purple

Singhara Halwa – Sweet closure to the fasts Roast singhara flour in ghee until aromatic. Add hot sugar syrup with cardamom & saffron. Cook until thickened and garnish with nuts.

Day 10 – October 20, Tuesday | Vijayadashami / Dussehra | Colour: Peacock Green

Puri Halwa Prasad (Parana – Breaking the Fast) Prepare suji (semolina) halwa in ghee with sugar syrup and cardamom. Make whole wheat puris. Offer as bhog to Maa Durga, then share with family.

Important Vrat Rules for NRIs

• Use only sendha namak (rock salt).
• Strictly avoid onion, garlic, regular salt, grains (except sama rice on permitted days), and non-vegetarian food.
• Permitted foods: Sabudana, makhana, kuttu flour, singhara flour, sama rice, potatoes, fruits, milk, curd, nuts, ghee.
• Stay hydrated with water, milk, coconut water, or fresh fruit juices.

NRI Practical Tips

• Shop in advance: Most ingredients are available at Indian grocery chains or online.
• Time-saving: Prep potatoes and soak sabudana the night before. Use microwave or instant pot for faster cooking.
• Evening Puja: Many NRIs perform puja and break the fast after work – sincere devotion matters most to Maa Durga.
• Community: Join local temple Navratri events or virtual kirtans for added spiritual energy.

Jai Mata Di! May Maa Durga bless every NRI family with strength, prosperity, good health, and protection during Sharad Navratri 2026. Share these simple recipes with your loved ones abroad and make this festival memorable.

Last updated: April 2026. Confirm exact muhurat and dates with your local Panchang as they may vary slightly by region.

Call to Action: Which vrat recipe will you try first this Navratri? Share your favourite fasting dish or NRI cooking hacks in the comments. Subscribe to HinduTone.com for more festival recipes, puja vidhi, and devotional guides for the global Hindu community.