Shravan Veg Food, Shravan Mahina Recipes

Shravan: Feed Your Stomach and Your Soul

Shravan Veg Food | Shravan Mahina Recipes | Shravan is one of the holiest months for Hindus – a time for soulful introspection and austerities. Stretching across 30-32 days in July and August, this month is so called because the Shravan star (Nakshatra) rules the sky on this month’s full moon day (Poornima).

A couple of festivals are celebrated by many communities across India during this month, but more than the festivities, this whole month itself is considered a good time to surrender to God and exercise self-control in your lifestyle.

upvaas thalipeeth recipe | rajgira faraali thalipeeth | Maharashtrian upvaas thalipeeth

It is believed that it was during this month that Lord Shiva consumed the haala-haala poison to save the world. When the Gods and demons were churning the milk ocean to get the nectar of immortality, poison started emanating from Vasuki, the snake king who was used as a rope to churn the ocean. Seeing the world reel under the effect of the poison, Lord Shiva immediately consumed the poison, and Goddess Parvati placed her hand on his neck to prevent it from going in. His neck turned blue as the poison stayed there. In order to reduce the effect of the poison, the devas bathed Lord Shiva in Gangajal.

sabudana vada recipe | Maharashtrian sabudana vada | how to make crispy sabudana vada | sago vada

The same practice is continued even today. In the month of Shravan, when this incident is believed to have occurred, thousands of devotees, especially in Gujarat and Maharashtra, bathe the shivaling with raw milk and water. Bilva (or Billi) Patra and black sesame seeds are also offered to the Lord.

As a sign of devotion, people exercise complete self-control during this month. They do not drink or eat non-vegetarian food. Some very religious men do not even shave throughout this month.

Sabudana Khichdi | maharashtrian sabudana khichdi | sago khichdi 

Since this month is the beginning of the Chathurmasa period, many people also follow a practice of eating only once a day. Food with salt is consumed only once a day. Thereafter, they have fruits, nuts, milkshakes, buttermilk, tea or coffee. Devotees pray, fast and often read the Shiv Puran.

farali dhokla for upvas, vrat recipe | kuttu ka dhokla – faraal snack | vrat ka dhokla | buckwheat dhokla - Navratri fasting recipe

Farali snacks for eating during Shravan fast

During Shravan fasting  here are some nice options for you.

1.dry fruits milkshake recipe | Indian dry fruit milkshake | healthy dry fruits nuts milkshake | Combined with the rich and comforting taste of milk, the blended dry fruits give rise to a memorable shake.

2.sweet Punjabi lassi recipe | dahi ki lassi | sweet lassi | 2 ingredient lassi recipe |secret to making perfect Lassi lies in the curds. If the curds are loosely set or sour, you will just not get it right.

3. Baked Sweet Potato Fries | oven baked Indian sweet potato fries | garlic shakarkand fries | Fries is crisp and spicy enough to suit a winter’s evening, yet light enough to fit into a summer’s day too, which makes it truly an all-weather treat.

4. Piyush | homemade Gujarati piyush |how to make traditional Maharashtrian piyush at home | piyush drink | tastes like nectar, and nothing short of it, especially on a hot summer’s day when you are on a fast.

Farali dry snacks  for Shravan

Make these snacks, store it in the jar and munch it whenever you feel like having. These can be enjoyed even on normal days.

1. Potato Wafers | faraali farali potato wafers recipe | fasting potato chips | vrat potato chips | version of Potato Wafers is much, much tastier than regular wafers, because it is perked up with rock salt and black pepper.

2. Sabudana Chivda | sabudana chivda for fasting | sabudana chivda for upvas, Navratri | is one such recipe that can be had during Navratri and other fasting days too.

3. Dry Fruit Chikki, Dry Fruit Chikki, Cashew Almond and Pistachio Chikki combination of nuts with sugar in a crispy and handy form? The rich flavour and enticing texture of the Dry Fruit Chikki.

4. Kand Wafers | kand chips | purple yam chips for vrat upvas | salted kand wafer tossing these wafers with pepper and black salt makes them tastier than regular run-of-the-mill chips.       

Farali meals for evening during Shravan

Once its evening there is little space you can have you meal , but it should be of faral. Below are the recipes which can be tried during fasting days.  

1. Farali Dosa | faral dosa | sama rajgira dosa | rajgira dosa | as the name suggests, farali dosa is popularly consumed during fasting days and is made out of millets.

2. Buckwheat Khichdi | kutto khichdi | farali kutto khichdi | healthy kutto khichdi | sumptuous and often more flavourful than everyday meals! The garnish of sesame seeds and coriander is to this khichdi what a cherry is to icing!

3. Potato Khichdi | Indian aloo khichdi for vrat, upvas | grated potato khichdi | Navratri fasting recipe | a unique khichdi made with potato as the base. Perked up with crushed peanuts, green chillies and lemon juice, this lip-smacking Potato Khichdi.

4. Rajgira Paneer Paratha | farali paratha recipe | vrat ka paratha | upvas ka paratha | Navratri fasting recipe | a sumptuous recipe that is sure to satiate you even on a fasting day! Here, wholesome rajgira parathas are stuffed with a succulent mixture of grated paneer perked up with green chillies, lemon juice and coriander.

5. Farali Misal | upvas misal Indian snack | Maharashtrian upvasachi farali misal | quick upvas snack | a faraali version of this popular snack, so you can top up your energy reserves on fasting days too.

Farali sweets and desserts during Shravan

Desserts a very satisfying sweet after a meal is very satisfying. Must try recipes if you love sweets.

1. singhara halwa, sheera recipe | farali singhare atte ka halwa | vrat, fasting sheera | water chestnut flour halwa | a ladleful of sheera, even on a fasting day! Well, why not. Here is a lip-smacking Sheera that is perfectly acceptable on fasting days as well.

2. Fresh Pineapple and Dry Fruit Roll pineapple puree and cashews and cooked into a katli like mixture, which is then shaped into cylinders and rolled in assorted chopped dry fruits.

3. farali pancakes recipe | sweet farali pancake | buckwheat pancake for upvas | kuttu ka cheela - navratri, vrat recipe | delectable meal deserves a sweet finish. So, say goodbye to the dining table with these banana and coconut flavoured pancakes.

Once a day, you can eat food with salt and it will be good to have wholesome but sattvic food that will keep you energized throughout the day. This article covers some of the famous recipes consumed during such fasts, including Sabudana Khichdi, Sabudana Vada Stuffed with Coconut Chutney, Potato Khichdi, Samo Khichdi, etc. Try your hand at making these, and keep yourself in perfect shape to continue your austerities with blooming health and a fresh mind.

samo khichdi recipe | moraiya khichdi | bhagar khichdi | farali khichdi | sanwa khichdi

Enjoy our Shravan Veg Food | Shravan Mahina Recipes | and other Indian festival recipes.

1. Raksha Bandhan Recipe
2.  Janmashtami Recipes
3. Navratri Vrat Recipe
4. Ekadasi Recipes
5. Ganesh Chaturthi Recipe

Happy Cooking!