Vrat ke chawal ka pulao | Samvat pulao | Sama rice pulao

Vrat ke chawal ka pulao with step by step photos – This sama rice pulao is made during Navratri fasting or Ekadashi fasting. It is made with samvat rice (barnyard millet), nuts, herbs and spices. Vegan and Gluten-free. Serve it with a side of yogurt or vrat ki kadhi or vrat wale aloo for a comforting and satisfying fasting meal.

Sama or samvat  is also commonly called as vrat ke chawal. Since during fasting we abstain from cereal grains and to make any rice based dishes we use samvat or sama grains instead of rice.

These are not a kind of rice variety or even associated with rice. Basically they are from the millet family. The English name for Sama ke chawal is Barnyard millet. the other Indian names for barnyard millet is vari, varai, sanwa, samwa and swang. They are small tiny millet creamish grains as shown in the pic below.

Sama rice are good health option during fasting days and also make a good gluten free grain. You can have them plain or with Vrat ki kadhi.

Barnyard millet is also considered as a healthy choice as it is rich in fibre and proteins. It also has less calories and thus, is ideal for people with diabetes.

This millet is frequently used during religious fasting days in India. Generally I make a simple plain rice, khichdi and this pulao from Sama ke chawal. But you can also make Sama ke rice ki idli, Sama rice khichdi and Sama rice kheer.

In India, Fasting rules varies from community to community. Its always better to check with your family members before deciding the menu. 

While making this samvat pulao, I have added whole garam masala and curry leaves. But some families, don’t use garam masala and curry leaves during fasting or upvas. So you can skip adding whole garam masala and curry leaves. If in doubt then please ask elders in your family about the fasting do’s and dont’s.

If you are looking for more Fasting recipes then do check:

• Sabudana khichdi
• Kuttu ki khichdi
• Kaddu ki sabzi

How to make vrat ke chawal ka pulao

Preparation

1. Rinse 1 cup of sama ke chawal (barnyard millet or samvat rice) a couple of times in water like the way we rinse rice.

2. Soak in enough water for 20 to 30 minutes.

3. Dry roast 2 tablespoons of peanuts on a pan or in the oven till they become crunchy.

4. Coarsely powder them in a mortar-pestle or in a dry grinder.

5. Measure all the ingredients and keep them ready for making sama ke chawal ka pulao.

Making vrat ka pulao

6. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee in a pan. I have used ghee.

7. Add all the whole spices – 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera), ½ inch cinnamon (dalchini), 2 to 3 cloves (lavang), 2 green cardamoms (choti elaichi) and 3 to 4 whole black pepper (sabut kalimirch).

8. Saute till the oil become fragrant and the cumin crackles.

9. Then add the crushed ginger-green chili paste made from ½ inch ginger and 1 green chili. You can crush them in a mortar pestle.

10. Saute for half a minute on a low heat.

11. Add 2 medium sized, cubed potatoes.

12. Also add 8 to 10 curry leaves and 1 tablespoon of chopped coriander leaves.

13. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes on a low heat.

14. Now add the peanuts powder.

15. Stir and mix well.

16. Drain the water from the samvat rice and add the samvat rice to the sauteed mixture.

17. Stir and mix well.

18. Add water as required.

19. Next add rock salt as required.

20. Pressure cook for 4 to 5 whistles or till the water is absorbed and the millet grains are cooked.

21. When the pulao is cooking, you can dry roast 8 to 10 cashews and 8 to 10 chopped almonds.

22. When serving the samvat rice pulao, garnish with the dry fruits and coriander leaves. You can also sprinkle some lemon juice in the pulao or you can keep some lemon wedges by the side of the samvat pulao.

24. You can have vrat ke chawal ka pulao plain or with vrat ki kadhi or plain curd or with fasting recipes like Vrat ke aloo or Aloo tamatar sabzi or Vrat ke dahi aloo or dahi arbi or Vrat ke aloo palak.

Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.

This Samvat Pulao Post from the archives first published in August 2013 has been updated and republished on December 2022.