Mahashivratri Puja Vidhi 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Guide with Timings
We explain in intricate detail - and open to newcomers - how to do Mahashivratri puja at home, including the timings.
25 Mahashivratri Vrat Recipes: A Complete No Onion-Garlic Fasting Food Menu (Sattvic)
Here, you will find the best recipes for Shivratri-friendly food - best both for your health and to observe the day properly.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mahashivratri fasting doesn’t have to mean guessing meals all day or living on bananas alone. Here’s a complete list of Mahashivratri vrat recipes with 25 no onion-garlic, sattvic-friendly recipes, grouped by meal time: break fast, main meal, snacks, drinks, and dessert.
Vrat rules can change by family, region, and even temple tradition, so use this as a flexible menu and follow what your home allows.
Most kitchens rely on simple staples like sabudana, kuttu, singhara, rajgira, samak rice, peanuts, potatoes, dairy, and fruits. Keep the vibe quiet and clean, this night is often about steady intention, not showing off. If you like a calm background while cooking or during jagran, a soft loop of Shiva mantras can help you keep the pace gentle.
Mahashivratri fasting basics: what to eat, what to avoid, and how to stay sattvic
Most Mahashivratri vrat plates follow a simple idea: eat light, eat fresh, and keep flavors clean. In many homes, people avoid regular grains (like wheat, rice, and oats), and often skip lentils too. Onion and garlic are commonly avoided, along with alcohol and heavy, leftover food.
What usually works well is phalahar style food: fruits, milk, curd, nuts, and vrat flours. Potatoes and sweet potatoes often become the “comfort base,” and peanuts add crunch plus staying power. If you’re doing one meal, it helps to plan it like a real plate, not just snacks.
Salt is another common rule. Many families use sendha namak (rock salt) instead of regular table salt during fasting. It’s not about fancy rules, it’s about keeping the ingredient list plain and vrat-friendly. Also check packaged spice mixes, they sometimes contain additives you may not want.
Your fasting style can vary:
- Nirjala: no food and no water (strict, not for everyone).
- Phalahar: fruits, milk, and simple vrat foods.
- One meal: one proper satvik meal, with liquids in between.
A quick safety note: hydrate through the day, don’t overdo tea or coffee, and don’t push through dizziness. If you’re pregnant, diabetic, have low blood pressure, or any medical condition, speak with a qualified professional before fasting.
A list of the best Mahashivratri vrat recipes
Here’s a quick preview of the 25 best vrat dishes for the Shivaratri period:
- Fruit and milk bowl (temple-style)
- Banana-peanut shake
- Dry fruit lassi (light, not heavy)
- Coconut water with roasted makhana
- Panjiri-style vrat laddoo (optional edible gum)
- Sabudana khichdi (non-sticky, fluffy)
- Sabudana vada (tawa or air-fryer)
- Samak rice pulao with peanuts
- Singhare atta cheela
- Dahi aloo (no onion, no fuss)
- Kuttu paratha (soft, not dry)
- Vrat kadhi (yogurt-based, no besan)
- Aloo jeera (classic fasting sabzi)
- Pumpkin curry with peanuts (no onion-garlic)
- Cucumber raita with roasted cumin
- Roasted makhana chaat
- Vrat bhel (peanut and potato)
- Sweet potato chaat
- Paneer tikka (tawa, no onion)
- Peanut-curd dip with veggie sticks (if allowed)
- Kheer with samak rice
- Sabudana kheer
- Quick coconut barfi
- Rajgira panjiri (spoon dessert)
- Saffron-cardamom milk
25 Mahashivratri vrat recipes: complete fasting food menu (no onion-garlic)
This list of mahashivratri vrat recipes is designed like a real day of eating, not a random recipe dump. Pick a mini menu based on your fast, your workday, and your energy. These also work as fasting recipes for shivratri when you’re cooking for family members with different rules.
Each recipe below includes a quick description, key ingredients, and one sattvic tip to keep flavors bright without making food feel “restaurant-style.”
Early morning or prasad-style start: light, steady energy (5 recipes)
These are gentle on the stomach and easy to prep the night before. Keep portions small, you’re aiming for steadiness, not fullness.
1) Fruit and milk bowl (temple-style): A simple bowl that feels like prasad and keeps you hydrated.
Key ingredients: banana, apple, pomegranate, milk (or almond milk), chopped nuts.
Sattvic tip: add a pinch of cardamom and a few soaked raisins for sweetness.
2) Banana-peanut shake: Filling enough to carry you through morning puja.
Key ingredients: banana, roasted peanuts (or peanut butter), milk, honey (optional).
Sattvic tip: blend in a teaspoon of ghee for warmth if your fast allows it.
3) Dry fruit lassi (light, not heavy): Cooling and quick, great if you wake up acidic.
Key ingredients: curd, water, dates, almonds, cardamom.
Sattvic tip: soak dates overnight, it makes the lassi smoother and easier to digest.
4) Coconut water with roasted makhana: The easiest “I’m fasting but I have meetings” combo.
Key ingredients: coconut water, makhana (fox nuts), ghee, cumin.
Sattvic tip: roast makhana on low heat until crisp, then season lightly.
5) Panjiri-style vrat laddoo (optional edible gum): One or two laddoos can replace a full snack.
Key ingredients: rajgira flour, ghee, jaggery, chopped nuts, gond (optional).
Sattvic tip: keep laddoos small, and roast flour patiently for a nutty aroma.
Breakfast or brunch: filling phalahar plates (5 recipes)
This is the “real food” zone for many fasters. If you tend to get weak, brunch is a smart place to eat well.
6) Sabudana khichdi (non-sticky, fluffy): Classic comfort that doesn’t feel like compromise.
Key ingredients: soaked sabudana, peanuts, potato, cumin, curry leaves (optional).
Sattvic tip: to prevent stickiness, soak sabudana until just soft, then drain and rest it 20 minutes.
7) Sabudana vada (tawa or air-fryer): Crispy outside, soft inside, perfect with curd.
Key ingredients: soaked sabudana, mashed potato, crushed peanuts, green chili, cumin.
Sattvic tip: air-fry with a light brush of ghee, it stays crisp without heavy oil.
8) Samak rice pulao with peanuts: A pulao feel, but vrat-friendly and easy to batch-cook.
Key ingredients: samak rice, peanuts, potato cubes, cumin, ginger.
Sattvic tip: sauté ginger and cumin in ghee first, it builds flavor without onion.
9) Singhare atta cheela: A quick savory pancake when you want something hot.
Key ingredients: singhara flour, curd, green chili, grated ginger, coriander.
Sattvic tip: rest the batter 10 minutes so the cheela cooks evenly and won’t crack.
10) Dahi aloo (no onion, no fuss): Tangy, soothing, and great with a simple vrat roti.
Key ingredients: boiled potatoes, curd, cumin, black pepper, sendha namak.
Sattvic tip: keep heat low after adding curd so it won’t split.
Main meal (satvik thali ideas): one-plate comfort (5 recipes)
If you’re doing one meal for the day, build a “thali mindset” even if it’s just one plate. A carb base plus protein from dairy or peanuts helps you last through a long night.
11) Kuttu paratha (soft, not dry): The vrat bread people love, when it’s made with care.
Key ingredients: kuttu flour, boiled potato (binder), cumin, ghee.
Sattvic tip: roll between greased sheets, kuttu dough can be fragile.
12) Vrat kadhi (yogurt-based, no besan): Comforting kadhi that fits fasting rules in many homes.
Key ingredients: curd, singhara flour (thickener), cumin, curry leaves (optional).
Sattvic tip: whisk curd well and add it slowly to avoid curdling.
13) Aloo jeera (classic fasting sabzi): Simple, fragrant, and never disappointing.
Key ingredients: potatoes, cumin, green chili, ginger, lemon.
Sattvic tip: finish with lemon juice off-heat for a clean, fresh taste.
14) Pumpkin curry with peanuts (no onion-garlic): Mild sweetness plus crunch, very satisfying.
Key ingredients: pumpkin, roasted peanuts, cumin, turmeric (if allowed), ghee.
Sattvic tip: mash a few pumpkin cubes into the gravy for natural thickness.
15) Cucumber raita with roasted cumin: Cooling side that balances spicy or fried items.
Key ingredients: curd, cucumber, roasted cumin powder, sendha namak.
Sattvic tip: strain watery curd for 10 minutes to keep raita thick.
Evening snacks: crunchy, salty, and quick (5 recipes)
Evening is when cravings get loud. Keep snacks tasty but not too oily, you still have a long night ahead. Use sendha namak and lemon for flavor, they do a lot of work.
16) Roasted makhana chaat: Crunchy, tangy, and ready in 7 minutes.
Key ingredients: makhana, ghee, peanut powder, lemon, coriander.
Sattvic tip: add a pinch of roasted cumin and a squeeze of lemon right before serving.
17) Vrat bhel (peanut and potato): A chaat-style bowl without sev or regular puffed rice.
Key ingredients: roasted peanuts, boiled potato, cucumber, pomegranate, lemon.
Sattvic tip: keep it dry and crisp, mix just before eating.
18) Sweet potato chaat: Soft bites with bright spice, great for the 6 pm slump.
Key ingredients: sweet potato, black pepper, roasted cumin, lemon, ghee.
Sattvic tip: roast or steam instead of deep-frying, it tastes cleaner and sits better.
19) Paneer tikka (tawa, no onion): Protein-forward snack that feels like a treat.
Key ingredients: paneer, curd, ginger, green chili, capsicum (if allowed).
Sattvic tip: marinate at least 20 minutes, then cook on medium heat for a golden crust.
20) Peanut-curd dip with veggie sticks (if allowed): A modern-looking snack that’s still simple.
Key ingredients: curd, roasted peanut paste, sendha namak, cucumber or carrot sticks.
Sattvic tip: add a pinch of roasted cumin and keep the dip thick, not runny.
Desserts and drinks: cooling, soothing, and temple-style (5 recipes)
During night vigils, heavy sweets can make you sleepy fast. Keep desserts mild, warm, and not too rich.
21) Kheer with samak rice: A gentle kheer that feels festive without heaviness.
Key ingredients: samak rice, milk, cardamom, chopped nuts.
Sattvic tip: slow-cook and stir often, it thickens naturally and tastes richer.
22) Sabudana kheer: Smooth, comforting, and easy to scale for guests.
Key ingredients: sabudana, milk, saffron (optional), cardamom, raisins.
Sattvic tip: soak sabudana briefly, then simmer, over-soaking can make it gluey.
23) Quick coconut barfi: When you want something sweet but don’t want a long recipe.
Key ingredients: desiccated coconut, milk, jaggery or sugar, ghee.
Sattvic tip: cook on low heat and stop once it holds shape, overcooking makes it crumbly.
24) Rajgira panjiri (spoon dessert): A roasted, ghee-rich dessert you can eat in small bites.
Key ingredients: rajgira flour, ghee, jaggery, nuts, cardamom.
Sattvic tip: make it less sweet than usual, it’s easier during jagran.
25) Saffron-cardamom milk: A simple end-of-night drink that feels sacred and calming.
Key ingredients: milk, saffron, cardamom, a little jaggery (optional).
Sattvic tip: sip warm, and keep it lightly sweet so you don’t feel heavy.
Smart prep plan for Shivratri: shopping list, time-saving batch prep, and a simple one-day schedule
A good Shivratri menu is won the night before. Think of prep like laying out your puja items, calm now means less chaos later.
Shopping list (grouped by category)
- Flours and staples: sabudana, samak rice, kuttu flour, singhara flour, rajgira flour
- Produce: potatoes, sweet potatoes, cucumber, pumpkin, lemons, green chilies, ginger, coriander, fruits (banana is a must)
- Dairy: milk, curd, paneer, ghee
- Nuts and seeds: peanuts, almonds, cashews, raisins, dates, coconut
- Spices: cumin (whole and powder), black pepper, cardamom, saffron (optional), sendha namak
Batch prep (night before)
Soak sabudana, rinse and rest it well. Boil potatoes and sweet potatoes, then refrigerate. Roast peanuts and makhana, store airtight. Set curd if you make it at home, or strain store-bought curd to thicken it.
Simple one-day schedule
- Pre-dawn: fruit and milk bowl, or coconut water with roasted makhana
- Midday: sabudana khichdi, plus cucumber raita
- Evening: sweet potato chaat, or paneer tikka with saffron milk
- Post-puja: samak rice kheer, or a small rajgira panjiri serving
What should I eat if I feel weak, dizzy, or get acidity during the fast?
Start simple: drink water, then try coconut water or warm milk. If you feel shaky, eat one banana or a few spoonfuls of curd with a pinch of sendha namak. A small bowl of sabudana khichdi or samak rice also helps when you need quick energy.
If acidity hits, avoid very spicy fried snacks and have plain curd, diluted lassi, or warm saffron-cardamom milk. If symptoms feel serious, break the fast. A vrat is still a prayer when you take care of your body.
Conclusion
A good Shivratri fast feels steady, not extreme. Pick 6 to 8 recipes from this list, build your personal menu, and keep it sattvic with clean flavors and simple cooking. Do the soaking, roasting, and boiling the night before, your future self will thank you at 2 am.
If you’re keeping jagran, simplicity helps you stay present. Soft food, warm drinks, and a quiet mind go well together. And if you want a gentle devotional touch while you cook or offer bhog, the Shiva Parvati mantra can be a calm companion for the night of Shiva.
FAQ: Mahashivratri vrat food questions (quick answers)
Can I use regular salt during Mahashivratri fast, or should it be sendha namak?
Follow your family rule, many households use sendha namak.
It fits traditional vrat practice and keeps ingredients simple.
Also check packaged “fasting masalas,” they may include regular salt or additives.
Which flours are usually used for vrat cooking (no onion-garlic)?
Common options are kuttu (buckwheat), singhara (water chestnut), and rajgira (amaranth).
Many people also use samak rice as a grain substitute during fasting.
Rules vary, so confirm what your home considers vrat-safe.
Related Posts
108 Shiva Names for Puja on Mahashivratri (Ashtottara Shatanamavali)
Here, you can discover the significance of the 108 names of Shiva chant
Mahashivratri Celebration at Home: Meaningful Rituals for Modern Families
We introduce simple rituals that can be tastefully arranged at home, for a family to respectfully observe the great night of Mahashivratri.
