Navratri Special: Nine

Bhog

Dishes To Offer The Nine Goddesses

Quick Summary

Forget Instagram trends and come back to your roots this Navratri. Navratri bhog–a different dish for each of the nine forms of Goddess Durga–was the OG trend long before fusion desserts and unexpected combinations infiltrated the Navratri food menu. So, whether you want to expand your knowledge or plan to celebrate Navratri the old school way, from offering pure ghee to Goddess Shailputri to til laddoos to Goddess Siddhidatri, your nine days are sorted with this list.

Deep Dive

Navratri honours the divine feminine energy in nine distinct forms of the Goddess Durga. Spread over nine days, the festival is widely celebrated across India with regional variations. Each day is dedicated to a specific avatar of the goddess and marked by offering a unique bhog, or sacred food, that symbolises her divine attributes. These offerings are deeply rooted in tradition and vary regionally, but their spiritual significance remains ubiquitous. So, if this is your first time celebrating, or you need a reminder, here are nine essential bhog dishes (with variations) to offer the goddesses during Navratri.

Day 1 - Goddess Shailputri: Pure Ghee

The first form of Durga, Shailaputri, symbolises strength and calmness. On the first day of Navratri, devotees offer pure desi ghee to the goddess. Ghee is a symbol of purity, nourishment, and spiritual strength. Offering ghee is believed to remove physical ailments and bring mental clarity. Many prepare a simple, ghee-rich halwa, such as sooji halwa or gajar ka halwa, or simply offer a spoonful of warm ghee with reverence. It also marks the beginning of auspiciousness and good health for the rest of the festival.

Day 2 - Goddess Brahmacharini: Sugar And Fruits

Goddess Brahmacharini represents austerity and penance. On this day, devotees offer rock sugar (mishri) and seasonal fruits like bananas, apples, or guavas. These items symbolise her simplicity and purity. The sweetness of the mishri is believed to bless devotees with peace, love, and long life. Fruits, being natural and sattvic, are ideal for those observing fasts. The offering reflects spiritual discipline and heartfelt devotion.

Day 3 - Goddess Chandraghanta: Makahan Kheer

The third day honours Goddess Chandraghanta, a fierce yet graceful form of Durga. She is appeased with kheer (rice pudding), usually makhana kheer (foxnuts) or sometimes milk-based sweets such as the milky peda, rasgulla, or sandesh. These delicacies represent her calm nature and soothing blessings. Offering milk products is believed to attract peace and prosperity. Many prepare payesh in Bengal or seviyan kheer in North India as a bhog, ensuring it is cooked withdevotion.

Day 4 - Goddess Kushmanda: Malpua Or Pumpkin

Known as the creator of the universe, Goddess Kushmanda is offered malpua, a rich, syrup-soaked sweet made from flour, milk, and sugar. On the savoury side, dishes made from kaddu (pumpkin) are considered highly auspicious, as the goddess is associated with harvest and warmth. These offerings symbolise abundance and are said to have the power to remove obstacles. Many prepare kaddu ki sabzi with puris, especially in North Indian households.

Day 5 - Goddess Skandamata: Bananas

On the fifth day of Navratri, devotees offer bananas to Goddess Skandamata, the nurturing mother of Lord Kartikeya. Bananas are not only sattvic and nutritious but also symbolise fertility, nourishment, and calm energy. Offering a whole bunch of bananas is common, signifying fullness and maternal care. Some regions offer banana-based sweets and use banana leaves in the offering, keeping the prasad simple.

Day 6 - Goddess Katyayani: Honey With Curd

Goddess Katyayani is a fierce form of Goddess Durga, who is the warrior version, blessing devotees with courage and strength. On this day, honey mixed with curd is offered as bhog. It represents sweetness amidst challenges and the ability to remain calm and balanced. Many mix honey with dry fruits or serve it with makhana (lotus seeds) as prasad. It is also believed to purify speech and thought, drawing divine blessings for marital harmony and inner discipline.

Day 7 - Goddess Kalaratri: Jaggery Halwa

On the seventh day, Goddess Kalaratri, the destroyer of evil, is worshipped with gur (jaggery) halwa. This bhog offering is a warm and rich dessert that symbolises strength and grounding. Prepared with whole wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, this hearty dish is offered to seek protection from negative energies and fear. It reflects her fierce nature and the comforting sweetness she brings after the destruction of evil. It’s also popular as a part of Ashtami bhog.

Day 8 - Goddess Mahagauri: Coconut

Day eight is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri, who symbolises purity, serenity, and new beginnings. The most fitting bhog is coconut, which can take the form of coconut laddoos, coconut barfi, or even fresh coconut water. Her radiant, calm form is pleased with this simple yet sacred offering, which represents spiritual cleansing and peace. Devotees believe coconut strengthens inner purity and welcomes divine blessings for peace, prosperity, and a fresh start in life.

Day 9 - Goddess Siddhidatri: Sesame Seeds (Til) and Sweets

The final form of Durga, Goddess Siddhidatri, grants divine powers and knowledge. On the final day, devotees honour this goddess with sesame seed (til) rich sweets like laddoos or chikkis. Til is said to absorb negative energy and enhance spiritual clarity. The offering reflects gratitude for divine wisdom and inner balance. In some local traditions, especially in the north, til is combined with jaggery or ghee to make the prasad richer and symbolic, closing Navratri with warmth and grace.

Honouring Tradition Through Bhog

The bhog offerings during Navratri are a simple yet powerful way to connect with one’s own culture and the divine energy of the goddesses. Each offering, be it malpuas or kheer, carries a special meaning – linking back to what each form of Devi Duga symbolises, and it’s the perfect way of inviting blessings and positivity into your home. Observing these food traditions in tune with the ritual days also helps in keeping the rich cultural heritage of Navratri alive, and what it symbolises – the triumph of good over evil.