Mahashivratri means the ‘great night of Bhagwan Shiv (Lord Shiva).’ Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped on this spiritually important night. Exclusive food is made and eaten that fall under Mahashivratri Vrat Recipes. Here’s my handmade collection of 41 Fasting Recipes for Mahashivratri. Go ahead, choose your favorite and plan the day.
Significance of Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri takes place once a year in the month of Falgun in the Hindu Lunar Calendar. It is one of the most auspicious nights in Hinduism along with Janmashtami which is celebrated as the birth of Lord Krishna. Most Hindus observe a fast on this day.
On this day, devotees perform a special ritual (puja) called ‘Rudrabhishek,’ the completion of which is known to grant their wishes. This puja is also regarded as one of the purest and sacred Hindu rituals.
Mahashivratri is celebrated in the months of February or March depending on the lunar calendar. It is common for Lord Shiva believers and followers to worship him along with Goddess Parvati all year round. This can be a part of Shivratri also referred to as ‘Masik Shivratri,’ which is often confused with Mahashivratri. However, there is a noteworthy difference between the two.
‘Shivratri’ occurs on the 14th night of every lunar month in the Hindu Calendar. Thus, summing up to a total of 12 Shivratris in a year, once every month. On the other hand, Mahashivratri is the most revered one of the 12 Shivratris and occurs once a year. Mahashivratri is also believed to be the day when Bhagwan Shiva and Mata Parvati got married.
According to ancient holy Hindu scriptures, Bhagwan Shiv is credited with blessing us with Yog (Yoga), Meditation, Tantra, Aghora, Dance, Music, Martial Arts etc. All these divine gifts are a way to raise your consciousness and get enlightened or have a samadhi experience.
The ‘Shivlinga’ or the symbolic representation of Lord Shiva represents a state of enlightened consciousness. On Mahashivratri, many devotees pour water on the Shivlinga with a lot of piousness and in a state of no consciousness (no thoughts). They also chant sacred Shiva mantras and indulge in fasting.
The idea is to connect the self with a deeper and higher state of pure mindfulness and inner divinity without any ego. Visiting a Shiva Temple, spending time in remembrance of Mahadev and mediating are also popular activities on this day. Many people believe Mahashivratri to be a great day for charity.
The spiritual practices conducted on the days and nights of Mahashivratri are extremely potent in raising the consciousness and achieving the experience of enlightenment. This year, Mahashivratri falls on March 8, 2024.
Legends of Mahashivratri
The festival of Mahashivratri is associated with many stories and legends. Read on to know some of them.
Many believe that it was this night, when Lord Shiva or Mahadev performed the ‘Tandav’ dance which signifies the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution (going back to the source) of existence.
According to Hindu mythology, Mahashivratri marks the day when Shiva drank the deadly poison ‘halahala’ during ‘Samudra Manthan’ or churning of the ocean. The ‘Neelkanth Mahadev Temple’ in the North Indian city of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand is associated with this event.
Another popular tale associated with Mahashivratri is that Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati on this day. Meaning, Shiva (consciousness) meeting Shakti (energy).
Mahashivratri Fasting Food (Vrat)
Shiva disciples or devotees observe the Mahashivratri fast (vrat) with great dedication and consume light religious food, which is essentially ‘satvik’ in nature. According to Ayurveda, satvik foods are vegetarian, made without onion, garlic and easy to digest. These are healthier, more nutritious and fresher which are meant to elevate energy, happiness and calmness in humans.
Cereals, lentils and grains are avoided, onion and garlic are not included and rock salt (sendha namak) is used instead of regular salt. To know more about fasting food, you can check this post of Navratri Fasting Rules.
The rules of fasting may differ from person to person, but majorly people fast completely or cook the unique dishes from Mahashivratri vrat recipes and have just one meal in a day. Some people who don’t fast make sure to prepare meals that have no onion, no garlic.
If you are also planning to fast or keep a vrat on this special day, then this collection of fasting recipes for Mahashivratri will definitely help you in deciding the menu.
Fasting Recipes for Mahashivratri
This collection of 41 Fasting Recipes for Mahashivratri is divided into the following categories:
Breakfast or Snacks
Lunch and Dinner (Main course)
Sweets or Desserts
Beverages
The one meal that you choose to consume on Mahashivratri is completely your choice. I preferably have some fruits on this day, which is followed by one light meal for dinner. In addition to this, I do meditate and chant Shiva mantras as well, and try to be awake the whole night.
Note
Make sure to use edible and food grade rock salt in place of regular salt or black salt in the recipes listed below. You can also skip the ground spices or add fewer spices.
Do take into consideration your age, body and health factors while planning to fast. Drinking enough water or fresh fruit juices to keep the body hydrated is always advisable.
I am also sharing a special Thandai recipe in section below which can be consumed after the Mahashivratri fast is over.
Sabudana Khichdi is a fasting savory dish made with soaked tapioca pearls (sabudana), mixed and cooked in a ghee sautéed mix of cumin seeds, green chillies, boiled potatoes, roasted crushed peanuts and edible rock salt (sendha namak). It is usually had during Hindu fasting days like Navratri, Ekadashi, Mahashivratri. It is also a gluten-free recipe.
Sabudana Vada is a popular savory deep fried snack made during Hindu fasting days, featuring tapioca pearls (sago), potatoes, peanuts and herbs. They are naturally gluten-free and vegan. This fail-proof Maharashtrian style Sabudana Vada recipe gives you a super delicious crispy vada with a soft and light interior.
Sama Chawal Idli or Vrat Ki Idli is a unique variation to the South Indian Idli. These are made without the regular rice and lentils, but with Sama also known as Barnyard Millet in English. Thus, a perfect choice of dish for your vrats or fasts and even on regular days. A vegan, gluten free and quite a nutritious recipe.
Farali pattice is an easy snack of crispy and tasty patties made with potatoes and stuffed with a sweet filling of coconut, nuts and raisins. This dish is from the Gujarati cuisine that is made during fast or upvas.
This Delhi style tasty fruit chaat is spiced, savory, sweet and tangy. Fruit chaat is made of a mix of fresh seasonal fruits and tubers like potatoes and sweet potatoes tossed with chaat masala, cumin powder, chilli powder and black salt.
Sabudana Thalipeeth are crispy and soft pancakes made with tapioca pearls (sago), mashed potatoes, ground peanuts, herbs and spices. They are also called as Upvasache Thalipeeth in Marathi language and can also be referred to as Sabudana Roti.
Sabudana tikki also known as sabudana cutlet are pan-fried thin patties made with tapioca pearls, mashed potatoes and spices. These crispy patties make for a delicious snack that will get over in no time.
2. Lunch and Dinner Fasting Recipes for Mahashivratri
Samak Rice Pulao is a simple, healthy and tasty pulao made during Hindu fasting days like Navratri and Ekadashi. Also known as samak/sama/samvat/samo/bhagar and Barnyard Millet in English, this is a popular ingredient used in dishes that are made during the religious fasting days in India.
Rajgira Poori or Amaranth Poori are deep fried puffy breads made from amaranth flour, boiled mashed potatoes and edible rock salt. It also happens to be naturally gluten-free and vegan. Amaranth flour or seeds are usually eaten during the Hindu fasting or vrat season in India.
Kuttu ki roti or paratha are gluten free flatbreads made with buckwheat flour and mashed potatoes. These healthy flatbreads are usually made during the Navratri fasting period in India.
Kaddu ki Sabji is an easy and delicious vegan pumpkin recipe made with yellow pumpkin, spices and herbs. This is a North Indian style satvik recipe made without onions and garlic.
Aloo ki Sabji or Aloo Tamatar Ki Sabji is an easy to make lightly spiced gravy featuring potatoes, tomatoes, a few spices and herbs. A satvik recipe made without onion and garlic.
Sabudana Kheer is a sweet, creamy pudding made with tapioca pearls or sago pearls (called sabudana in Hindi), milk, sugar, nuts and flavored with cardamom & saffron. Sabudana Kheer is also a popular pick as fasting food during the Hindu Navratri festival. It is simple and easy to make, and tastes absolutely delicious.
Makhane ki kheer is a sweet dessert pudding made with Makhana (foxnuts), milk, ghee, sugar and dry fruits. This is an easy and popular sweet that is often made during Hindu fasting days.
Sweet, creamy, and warmly spiced, this Kaddu ki Kheer (also known as Pumpkin Kheer or Pumpkin Payasam) is a flavorsome, easy-to-prepare traditional sweet dish for the Navratri Festival. This tasty pudding like dessert is made with pumpkin, whole milk, ghee, sugar and nuts.
Easy Dry Fruit Laddu Recipe without any added sugar or fats like ghee or oil. Packed with nutrients, good fats and fibre, these energy balls are made with dates, figs and various nuts. This Dry Fruit Ladoo recipe gets done quickly and comes together under 20 minutes.
Sweet, chewy, and irresistible, this Dry Fruit Burfi (also referred to as Dry Fruit Halwa or Date Rolls) is a simple, quick and easy sweet you can make during Diwali or any festive season. My simple vegan recipe for Dry Fruit Barfi is made without any added sugar, making it a totally guilt-free treat!
Sweet Potato Halwa also called Shakarkandi ka Halwa in Hindi is a delicious Indian sweet made with boiled and mashed sweet potatoes and scented with cardamom, saffron.
Kashi Halwa also called Dumroot Halwa is a unique, tasty and rich halwa made from ash gourd or white pumpkin, sugar, nuts, ghee, raisins and flavored with saffron.
Shrikhand is a delicious and simple dessert recipe made with thick yogurt flavored with sugar, saffron and cardamom. Get two ways of making shrikhand recipe with hung curd as well as a quick and instant version with greek yogurt.
Javvarisi Payasam also referred to as Saggubiyyam Payasam or Sago Payasam is a sweet creamy pudding made with sago(tapioca pearls), milk, ghee, sugar, raisins and cashews. The recipe is super easy and a great way of using tapioca pearls in a dessert form. It is also gluten-free.
Sweet, tart and vibrantly refreshing, my homemade fresh Pomegranate Juice recipe will change your life for the better this summer. Also known as Anar Juice, this healthy beverage is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants to help restore your body after a day in the sun.
Refreshing, healthy and cooling Watermelon Juice to quench your thirst on a hot summery day. Learn to make three different versions of this healthy, all natural drink recipe.
The best homemade mango juice recipe uses organic alphonso mangoes for a terrifically sweet, nectar-like drink that's perfect for enjoying by the glassful or including in any number of juice-based beverage recipes.
This pineapple juice is a refreshing juice made from fresh pineapple and flavored with black salt and roasted cumin powder. This recipe shows you how to make pineapple juice in a blender.
Lassi is a cooling, refreshing, probiotic drink perfect for the warm summer months made essentially with curd or yogurt, fragrant spices and sugar or salt. Popular in Punjab and North India, there are many variations of this sweet lassi recipe. Find three easy, energizing and flavorful lassi recipe variations.
Nimbu Pani and Shikanji are the Indian versions of lemonade or limeade made with fresh lemon juice, water, sugar, black salt and optionally a few ground spices and sometimes garnished with mint leaves.
Thandai is a traditional and popular North Indian drink, made during the Holi festival. A typical Thandai recipe is made with a powder or paste of nuts & seeds like almonds, pistachios, poppy seeds, melon seeds with fragrant spices like green cardamom, fennel seeds, black pepper, saffron and hints of rose. This Thandai powder or paste is further mixed with milk to make the refreshing and cooling drink.
Mango Lassi, an all time Indian favorite summer drink is a creamy, thick, refreshing and delicious variation of lassi. Make this easy Mango Lassi recipe in less than 15 minutes with ripe mangoes, yogurt and your choice of flavorings – cardamom, saffron or rose water.
This Mahashivratri Vrat post from the archives first published in February 2020 has been updated and republished on February 2023.
I am Dassana Amit, a vegetarian chef and baker with decades of experience, professionally trained in Indian and continental cooking and baking. I’m also a certified pastry chef, trained at Le Cordon Bleu in plant-based patisserie. For over 16 years, I’ve shared trusted, strictly vegetarian recipes with step-by-step photos, expert tips, and practical guidance. Bringing together tradition, technique, and a love for honest, soulful vegetarian cooking.
Hello dassana ji
Another legend is (lord shiva was always there he is anadi and ananth ) , but he first appeared as an infinite, unending, transcendental jyotirlinga today at ‘nishit kaal’ at 12 am ( zero hour ) as a sthambha with unimaginable light. It is also called as kaal bhairav swaroop in the form of linga. Everything is both from him and everything will submerge into him at the time of pralaya.
Happy shivratri to you
🙂
Happy Mahashivaratri. Jai Jai Shiv Shankar… Har Har Mahadev… Bam Bam Bholenath ?
So good recipes and info. Mahashivratri greetings.
Good information
Hello dassana ji
Another legend is (lord shiva was always there he is anadi and ananth ) , but he first appeared as an infinite, unending, transcendental jyotirlinga today at ‘nishit kaal’ at 12 am ( zero hour ) as a sthambha with unimaginable light. It is also called as kaal bhairav swaroop in the form of linga. Everything is both from him and everything will submerge into him at the time of pralaya.
Happy shivratri to you
🙂
Hi Chandana, thank a lot for this super info. I was not aware about this. Wish a Happy Mahashivratri festival to you.