Introduction
Ekadashi and Somvar Vrat are sacred days in Hindu tradition, observed to receive the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The purpose of these fasts is physical purification, mental calmness, and spiritual growth.
On fasting days, regular grains, onions, garlic, and heavy meals are avoided. To maintain energy and nutrition, fasting-friendly dishes are essential.
👉 You can access detailed recipes and fasting tips on your mobile via Mero Nepal App.
Why Fasting-Friendly Food Matters
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Energy and Strength: Ingredients like sabudana, kuttu, and samak rice provide sustained energy.
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Easy Digestion: Light and nutritious meals are easier to digest.
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Flavor and Variety: Traditional recipes remain tasty while adhering to fasting rules.
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Spiritual Benefits: Following fasting rules along with proper meals enhances spiritual experience.
Common Fasting Ingredients
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Sabudana (Tapioca pearls)
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Kuttu flour (Buckwheat flour)
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Samak rice / Barnyard millet
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Singhare flour (Water chestnut flour)
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Vegetables: potato, sweet potato, pumpkin, corn
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Dairy: milk, yogurt, paneer
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Dry fruits & nuts: almonds, cashews, raisins, jaggery
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Spices: black salt, black pepper, cumin, coriander, green chili
Popular Fasting-Friendly Recipes
1. Sabudana Khichdi
Ingredients: 1 cup sabudana, ¼ cup almonds/cashews, 2 tbsp ghee, green chili, curry leaves, salt, coriander
Method:
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Soak sabudana for 4–5 hours.
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Lightly roast nuts.
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Heat ghee, sauté chili and curry leaves.
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Add sabudana and cook until translucent.
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Garnish with nuts and coriander; serve hot.
2. Kuttu Aloo Pakora
Ingredients: 2 boiled potatoes, ½ cup kuttu flour, green chili, black salt, oil
Method:
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Mash potatoes, mix with flour, salt, and chili.
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Shape into small fritters.
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Deep fry in ghee/oil until golden.
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Serve with green chutney.
3. Singhare Halwa
Ingredients: ½ cup singhare flour, 2 tbsp ghee, ¼ cup jaggery/sugar, 1 cup milk/water
Method:
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Roast flour lightly in ghee.
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Gradually add milk/water while stirring.
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Add jaggery/sugar and cook until thick.
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Garnish with nuts; serve warm.
4. Samak Rice Khichdi
Ingredients: 1 cup samak rice, ¼ cup yogurt, 1 tbsp ghee, cumin, salt
Method:
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Wash and cook rice until soft.
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Mix yogurt, ghee, roasted cumin, and salt.
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Serve hot.
5. Sweet Potato Chaat
Ingredients: 2 boiled sweet potatoes, black salt, black pepper, lemon, coriander
Method:
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Cut sweet potatoes into small cubes.
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Add spices and lemon juice.
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Garnish with coriander; serve hot or cold.
6. Paneer Curry
Ingredients: 200g paneer, 2 tbsp ghee, cumin, green chili, salt, coriander
Method:
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Heat ghee, sauté cumin and chili.
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Lightly fry paneer until golden.
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Add salt, garnish with coriander, serve with kuttu roti or samak rice.
7. Kuttu Roti
Ingredients: 1 cup kuttu flour, water, salt, ghee
Method:
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Knead flour with water and salt.
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Roll into small rotis.
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Cook on a hot pan with ghee until golden.
8. Sabudana Vada
Ingredients: 1 cup sabudana, 1 boiled potato, green chili, salt, coriander, oil
Method:
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Soak sabudana.
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Mash potato and mix with sabudana.
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Shape into small patties and deep fry until golden.
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Serve with green chutney.
9. Singhare Pancakes
Ingredients: 1 cup singhare flour, ½ cup milk/water, 2 tbsp jaggery/sugar, ghee
Method:
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Mix flour and milk to make a thin batter.
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Heat pan with ghee.
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Pour batter to form pancakes; cook both sides.
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Serve with jaggery or ghee.
Fasting Tips
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Avoid onions, garlic, and regular grains.
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Prepare light yet nutritious meals to maintain energy.
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Drink sufficient water or herbal teas.
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Eat fruits and dry fruits for extra energy.
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Pre-preparing meals keeps focus on spiritual activities.
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Avoid overly spicy or heavy food.
Benefits of Fasting-Friendly Recipes
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Maintains energy during fasts.
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Aids digestion and reduces bloating.
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Makes fasting spiritually and physically meaningful.
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Adds flavor and variety.
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Promotes healthy and mindful eating habits.
Conclusion
Fasting-friendly recipes for Ekadashi and Somvar Vrat are essential for energy, nutrition, and spiritual benefits. Sabudana Khichdi, Kuttu Pakoras, Singhare Halwa, Samak Rice Khichdi, Paneer Curry, and other dishes make fasting tasty, nutritious, and easy to follow.
Preparing these dishes ensures sustained energy, easy digestion, and a spiritually fulfilling fast.
👉 For detailed recipes, methods, and other fasting-related content, use Mero Nepal App. Access complete Nepali cultural guidance on your mobile.
