Navratri recipes for 9 days with separate list for Tamil Nadu, Andhra and North Indian recipes. It’s a 9 days 9 recipes list for South Indian Golu and North Indian Navratri festival. In 2026, Navaratri is from October 11th to 20th.
South Indian, North Indian Navratri Recipes for 9 days golu at home. In this post, I have framed a list of Navarathri prasadam recipes of Tamil Nadu, Andhra, and North India for nine days as per my readers’ request. Last year I made a detailed post on how to keep golu at home. At that time, many of my readers asked me to make a post on Navratri naivedyam / Golu recipes list. So today I have come up with the list of prasad recipes like rice varieties, sweets, and sundal recipes/snacks based on South Indian and North Indian Navratri festival. Hope this post will be helpful to you all.
Do refer to my Navaratri recipes collection for more ideas.
A Quick Note on South Indian Golu Prasadam: Friends, please note that in South Indian homes celebrating Navratri Golu, our festival cooking is like pure temple-style, Sattvik naivedyam prepared without onion and garlic. The morning pooja features sacred variety rice dishes and sweets, while the evening prasadham for Golu guests highlights our wholesome 9 sundal varieties (legumes and lentils). This is distinct from North Indian Navratri Vrat or Phalahari fasting traditions that rely on ingredients like sabudana, kuttu atta and sendha namak. To make planning easy, I have shared our complete 9-day South Indian Golu menu first, followed by traditional Andhra naivedyam and North Indian bhog traditions below so that everyone can celebrate happily!
Tamil Nadu Recipes For Navarathri
In Tamil Nadu, during Navarathri people worship Goddess Durga for the first three days, Goddess Lakshmi for the second three days, and Goddess Saraswathi for the last 3 days. People used to offer some sweets and sundal recipes for God in front of Golu. Even though Navarathri is a 9 days festival, the day that comes before Navarathri (Amavasya) and the day after Navratri where we celebrate the victory of good over evil (Vijayadasami), comes to 11 days.
Married ladies & young girls are invited home and we give thaamboolam along with a sundal variety or sweet as Golu prasadham. We usually keep the golu on Pradhamai day evening. So we offer sweet pongal / sakkarai pongal and chana sundal / kondakadalai sundal for neivedyam, and we offer some fruits and rock candy on Vijayadasami day.
I have shared this table of naivedyam recipes by referring Nataraja Deekshithar’s blog post. He had given a clear explanation about Navaratri celebration in temples and its importance. He has also mentioned the list of flowers, leaves, kolam, fruits, Neivedyam and Raga to be used for Navratri 9 days. I took the neivedyam recipes, added 2 more recipes for each day morning & evening neivedyam, and framed this table.
I have given different sweet recipes, rice variety, and sundal recipes for 9 days. You can alter the sweets and sundal varieties based on your liking. But the rice variety given here is as per tradition according to Deekshithar’s post, so you can follow the same. I have linked all the recipes to my post. You can click on that to view the respective ones.
I hope this table would be useful for people who want to get some ideas for Navratri recipes. Ok, let’s check the table below.
Navratri Prasadam List for 9 days
| Day & Goddess Form (Alankaram) | Morning Naivedyam (Rice / Sweet) | Evening Golu Sundal (Legume / Dal variety) |
|---|---|---|
| Golu Day Evening (If kept on Amavasya) | Sweet Pongal | Chana Sundal (White Chickpeas) |
| Day 1 Sri Maheswari / Durga | Ven Pongal, Rice & Moong Dal | Pachai Payaru Sundal (Green Gram Sweet / Spicy) |
| Day 2 Sri Rajarajeswari | Tamarind Rice (Puliyodharai), Rava Kesari | Karamani Sweet Sundal / Spicy Cowpeas Sundal |
| Day 3 Sri Varahi | Sakkarai Pongal, Pepper Rice, Paruppu Vadai | Peanut Sundal (Verkadalai) |
| Day 4 Sri Vaishnavi | Kadamba Sadam (Sambar Sadam), Wheat Flour Appam | Peas Sundal (Pattani) |
| Day 5 Sri Meenakshi / Skandamata | Curd Rice, Rice Payasam | Rajma Sundal / Double Beans / Mochai Sundal |
| Day 6 Sri Katyayani | Coconut Rice, Rava Ladoo | Moong Dal Sundal (Pasi Paruppu) / Field Beans |
| Day 7 Sri Kalaratri / Saraswathi | Lemon Rice, Raw Rice Idli | Kadalai Paruppu Sundal (Chana Dal) |
| Day 8 Sri Mahagauri (Durgashtami) | Paal Sadam (Milk Rice), Coconut Burfi | Multi Grain Sundal (Navadhanya) |
| Day 9 Sri Saraswathi (Mahanavami) | Akkaravadisal, Festival Lunch Menu / 5 Rice Varieties, Medhu Vadai | Brown Chana Sundal (Black Chickpeas) / Chana Dal Sundal |
| Day 10 Sri Vijaya Chamundeeswari (Vijayadasami) | Sweet Aval, Sakkarai Pongal, Seasonal Fruits & Rock Candy | Betel leaves & nuts, dry fruits, rock candy or dry grapes |
Navratri 9 Days Colors, Flowers & Fruits (2026 Chart)
While traditional naivedyam like fruits and sundal offerings remains the same, the nine Navratri colors follow the weekday sequence starting with Orange on Ghatasthapana (Sunday). It varies every year based on Kalasa sthapana day. Here is the 2026 chart below.
| Day & Devi Form | 2026 Color | Auspicious Flower | Fruit Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1: Shailaputri | Orange | Hibiscus (Sembaruthi) | Pomegranate |
| Day 2: Brahmacharini | White | Jasmine (Mallipoo) | Guava / Apple |
| Day 3: Chandraghanta | Red | Marigold (Sevvanthi) | Banana |
| Day 4: Kushmanda | Royal Blue | Lotus / Shankupushpam | Grapes / Pear |
| Day 5: Skandamata | Yellow | Yellow Rose | Sweet Papaya |
| Day 6: Katyayani | Green | Marikozhundu / Rose | Custard Apple |
| Day 7: Kaalratri | Grey | Parijatham | Dates |
| Day 8: Mahagauri | Purple | Mogra / White Lotus | Coconut / Jamun |
| Day 9: Siddhidatri | Peacock Green | Champa / Fragrant Mix | Tender Coconut |
SOURCE: https://natarajadeekshidhar.blogspot.com/2010/10/08102010-16102010.html
Apart from this list, you can refer to my entire navratri recipes in my collection of Navratri recipes post. Do check it!
Andhra Recipes For Navratri
In Andhra Pradesh, Navadurga (Nine aspects of Goddess Durga) is worshipped during Navratri. Varieties of prasadam are offered to God on these nine days.
| Day | Andhra Prasadam Recipes |
|---|---|
| DAY 1 | CHALIMIDI, VADA PAPPU, PARAMANNAM |
| DAY 2 | SWEET BOONDI, CHICKPEAS |
| DAY 3 | RAVA KESARI, PULIHORA |
| DAY 4 | PONGALI |
| DAY 5 | PULIHORA, PESARA BOORELU |
| DAY 6 | ATUKULU, BELLAM, SENAGA PAPPU, COCONUT |
| DAY 7 | KSHEERANNAM, BELLAM, SUGAR |
| DAY 8 | GARELU, LEMON JUICE |
| DAY 9 | CHAKKARA PONGALI |
| DAY 10 | PULIHORA, GARELU |
SOURCE: https://annapoorna-akshayam.blogspot.in/2011/10/dasara-navaratri-naivedyam-for-9-days.html
North Indian Navratri Bhog For 9 Days
In North India, People worship nine different forms of Maa Durga:
- Day 1 – Maa Shailaputri to bless disease free life
- Day 2 – Mata Brahmacharini to increase longevity of family members
- Day 3 – Mata Chandraghanta to fulfill all wishes and provide relief from worldly pains
- Day 4 – Maa Kushmanda to improve intellect and decision making ability
- Day 5 – Mata Skandamata to keep the physique healthy
- Day 6 – Maa Katyayani for health and happiness
- Day 7 – Maa Kaalratri to remove Evil powers
- Day 8 – Maa Mahagauri to provide success in life (Kanya puja is performed)
- Day 9 – Maa Siddhidatri for all siddhi
People perform fasting, pooja and pray to the Goddess by offering nine different bhog on these 9 days. Let’s see them below. Sorry, I have not shared Vrat ka recipes ideas. I have just mentioned the sweet recipes and the ingredients you can offer on these 9 days.
| Day | Traditional Bhog / Prasad Offering |
|---|---|
| DAY 1 | PURE GHEE OR RECIPES WITH GHEE |
| DAY 2 | SUGAR, FRUITS |
| DAY 3 | MILK, SWEETS, KHEER |
| DAY 4 | MALPUA |
| DAY 5 | BANANA |
| DAY 6 | HONEY |
| DAY 7 | JAGGERY OR SWEETS WITH JAGGERY |
| DAY 8 | COCONUT, RICE KHEER FOR KANYA PUJA |
| DAY 9 | TIL OR SESAME SEEDS |
SOURCE: https://blog.onlineprasad.com/navratri-recipes-bhog-for-nine-days/
DISCLAIMER: I have made this list based on the inputs from various sources. Please alter them according to your tradition by consulting your family elders.
Navratri Pooja Prep & Practical Kitchen Tips
Managing morning naivedyam, evening Golu guests and pooja preparations for ten continuous days can feel overwhelming if done at the last minute. Over the years, following these simple home-cook prep routines has helped me manage everything smoothly and stress-free:
- Advance Soaking Routine: Legumes like brown chana (kondakadalai), dried green peas (pattani), rajma and mochai require at least 8 to 10 hours of soaking. Make a habit of soaking the next day’s legume right before going to bed. If you forget to soak the previous day, you can soak in the early morning as well. For afternoon prep, soak dried white peas or cowpeas (karamani) first thing in the morning for 4 to 5 hours. You can also make instant green gram sundal without soaking, sweet corn sundal which needs no soaking.
- Boiling & Chilling/Freezing Batches: You can pressure cook legumes in slightly larger batches in the morning with a little salt and turmeric. Drain the excess water completely, let them cool down and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. In the evening, simply do a quick mustard seed-hing, chilli tempering and toss with fresh grated coconut just before serving guests.
- Batch-Prep Sundal Podi & Puliyodharai Paste: Prepare a fresh batch of Sundal Podi (roasted coriander seeds, chana dal, urad dal and red chillies) 2 days before Navratri begins. Adding a teaspoon of this fragrant powder instantly elevates any simple sundal to temple-style taste. Similarly, keep homemade Puliyodharai paste (pulikachal) ready in advance. It keeps fresh for weeks and makes morning Tamarind Rice neivedyam ready in just 10 minutes!
- Quick No-Soak Backup Options: If unexpected guests visit or you forgot to soak legumes the previous night, don’t worry at all! Pasi Paruppu Sundal (Yellow Split Moong Dal) needs just 20 to 30 minutes of soaking in warm water and cooks in 5 minutes. Fresh or frozen Sweet Corn Sundal, roasted green gram sundal and canned chickpeas (rinsed and drained) are also wonderful instant lifesavers.
- Fresh Coconut Storage: Grate 3 to 4 whole coconuts over the weekend and store the grated coconut in freezer-safe airtight boxes or ziplock bags. Thaw a small portion 15 minutes before tempering so your evening sundal stays fresh and fragrant without spoiling in warm weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
In traditional South Indian homes celebrating Navratri Golu, food cooked for both morning naivedyam is strictly prepared without onion and garlic. But daily household meals can be prepared adding onion, garlic if you like. Since the offerings are made directly to the Goddess and shared as sacred prasadham with guests visiting for thamboolam, strictly no-onion-no-garlic cooking is followed throughout the 9 days.
The traditional 9 sundal varieties include Kondakadalai Sundal (brown or white chickpeas), Pachai Payaru Sundal (green gram), Karamani Sundal (cowpeas/black-eyed peas), Pattani Sundal (dried green or white peas), Kadalai Paruppu Sundal (chana dal), Pasi Paruppu Sundal (yellow split moong dal), Mochai Sundal (field beans), Rajma / Peanut Sundal (verkadalai), and Navadhanya / Multi-grain Sundal.
Pasi Paruppu Sundal (yellow split moong dal) is the quickest option because moong dal requires no overnight soaking—just wash and steam or boil for 4 to 5 minutes. Sweet Corn Sundal and green gram are also wonderful quick backups when you run short on time.
On Saraswathi Pooja (Day 9 / Mahanavami), the traditional main offerings are rich Akkaravadisal or Sakkarai Pongal, crispy Medhu Vadai, mixed variety rice dishes (like lemon rice, tamarind rice or coconut rice) and Brown Chana Sundal (Kondakadalai). On Vijayadasami (Day 10), we offer sweet poha with milk, sugar/ jaggery (aval), fresh seasonal fruits, rock candy (kalkandu), dry fruits and betel leaves with nuts.
Nice Blog. Thank you for sharing this great information with us. Navratri Pooja is one of the most popular festival in India. It is the nine day festival."Nava" means Nine and "ratri" means night. The tenth day of the festival is called Vijayadashami. Navratri Pooja is dedicated to the Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. It helps to eliminates career problems and bestows success in all endeavours. It helps to improve knowledge and also helps to clear malefic effects of planets. More Details Click Here
HELLO, YOU RECEIPES ARE ALL NICE. I WANT TO ASK IF YOU CAN YOU GIVE ME STHOTRAS FOR EACH DAY OF NAVRATRI.
You can read Abirami Andhadhi on all 9 days.
Excellent presentation.
thank you very much
THANK A LOT
Welcome
These days people make and eat all nonsense things as prasadam. You have helped me to know that what are the items to be prepared as prasadam for navaratri.Thank you and Om Namah Shivaya.
Thank you. Glad this list helps you
Best Blog- I was searching every where but none like this
Thank you
So nice post thank u for sharing
Welcome 😊
Very much informative, Thanks a lot,we have followed it for Devi's Bhog/ naivedhyam
Thank you so much. Glad you find it helpful :)