South Indian Navaratri is a festival of nine nights celebrated by worshipping the celestial power “Shakti” in the form of Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Durga. While North India celebrates this festival as the symbol of victory of Rama over Ravana by burning the idol of Ravana, South India celebrates it as a symbol of Shakti’s victory over demons.

In Karnataka, Andhra & Telangana, people give banni/shami leaves to elders and seek their blessing. In Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, this is the festival when the golu dolls (colourful figurines) are installed at home during Navratri. These figurines symbolize of the entire pantheon that froze to statues when they bestowed goddess Durga with additional power to kill the demons. Kids take a special interest in cleaning the precious dolls that are passed on from generation to generation and decorating them on the set stages for display. Navratri is a time for various interesting mythological tales being read out, devotional songs and performances.

Relatives are called home and are treated with snacks and food. Best festive recipes are made and savored during this celebratory festival. Here is an extensive 4-course meal for South Indian Navratri which you can enjoy traditionally on the plantain leaf along with your closest relatives for lunch.

Appetizers

Ragi snacks (Chakli And Kodubale) Recipe are perfect to munch while you wait for festive meal to come to your plantain leaf. Kunukku, the Spicy Lentil Fritters and Black Eyed Peas Masala Vadas Recipe, and Thavala Adai made of spicy dals, and rice tickle the tongue to get prepared for more food ahead as well.

Accompaniments

Avakkai Pickle With Turmeric made of raw mangoes makes a nice accompaniment to the south Indian meal. Chickpea sundal is an easy and proteinaceous dish made with chickpeas and coconut. Pineapple Gojju Recipe is the Karnataka Style Tangy And Spicy Pineapple Curry which can be mixed with each morsel of rice and sambar, like pickle. Kovakkai Podi Curry Recipe is the Tamil Nadu Style Ivy Gourd Stir Fry.

Main Course

Puri is the Puffed Fried Indian Bread usually served with Chutney and Aloo masala (potato masal). Nellikai Chitranna Recipe, Gongura Pulihora, Milagu Jeera Sadam are nice rice variations to be served with the festive meal. Coconut Rice Pulao From Coconut Cream Recipe is a nice twist to pulao with coconut adorned with fried cashews and a great addition to the festive meal. Mixed Vegetable Sambar and Arachuvitta Sambar recipes use various vegetables to make sambar, as an accompaniment to hot cooked white rice. Try Elaneer Rasam Recipe as a replacement to regular rasam recipe to include tender coconut in your rasam for a flavourful twist.

Desserts

Obbuttu/Bobbattu are different names to the South Indian Style puran poli or Holige recipe and make the most sought dessert option along with Semiya Payasam/Kheer Recipe. Paruppu Payasam Recipe is yet another option for an easy dessert with Stewed Lentil, Coconut Milk & Jaggery. Try Aval Payasam Recipe which is made with flattened rice/poha to end your meal.