Maha Shivratri is near and it is time to prepare for a spiritually uplifting fast. You also need to prepare what to eat in the Mahashivratri fast as there are certain rules around it. Canistel brings you Mahashivratri special fasting recipes that are nourishing and easy to make.
Mahashivratri 2025: Date, Significance & Fasting
Mahashivaratri is a sacred spiritual Hindu festival of India. The festival falls on the 14th day of the waning half of the lunar month Phalguini. It celebrates the union of the divine energies of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti. This night of Shiva, the darkest night of the year, is believed to have powerful spiritual energies. Devotees pray and fast all day and night of Mahashivaratri as a dedication to Lord Shiva. Fasting along with meditation purifies the body, mind and soul.
There is an interesting story about why people fast on Mahashivratri. During the churning of the ocean of milk for Amrita, the first thing that came out of it was poison. Lord Shiva drank all the poison to protect the universe. Goddess Shakti held his throat to stop the poison from spreading. The poison turned Lord Shiva’s throat blue, which is why he is also called Neelakantha (Blue-throated one) Goddess Shakti fasted that entire day and became a tradition. Devotees fast and stay awake all night as a mark of devotion to Lord Shiva on Mahashivratri.
This year Maha Shivratri falls on Wednesday, February 26. Mahashivratri fasting starts at sunrise and is observed till the next morning.
Mahashivratri Fasting Rules
Here are a few Mahashivratri fasting rules. This will answer your question on what to eat in Shivratri.
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Fasting variations:
Some devotees observe a complete fast (nirjala vrat) without any food or water. Elders, pregnant women, and people who cannot observe this eat fruits, milk and vrat-friendly foods
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Food to avoid on Mahashivratri:
Non-vegetarian food, processed food, regular grains like wheat and rice, pulses, lentils, onions, garlic, salt and spices. You can use rock salt instead of table salt and green chilly instead of red chilly. Only sattvic vrat friendly food should be consumed.
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Food allowed during Mahashivratri fasting:
Sago or sabudana, kuttu or buckwheat, millet, pumpkin, potato, makhana, fruits, raw honey and yoghurt
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Hydration:
Drinking water, coconut water, milk and fruit juices are allowed.
Devotees who are doing Mahashivratri fasting should stay calm and composed and spend the day chanting and meditating.
Fasting Recipe: What To Eat In Shivratri
Here are 7 vrat ka khana that align with Mahashivratri fasting rules . These fasting recipes are quick, easy and nutritious.
1. Kuttu ka Paratha
Buckwheat or Kuttu is a permitted flour during Mahashivratri fasting. Here is h a wholesome crispy Shivratri food recipe for paratha with kuttu.
Ingredients
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Kuttu flour: 1Cup
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Boiled and mashed potato :1 medium
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Water: as needed
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Desi ghee: for cooking
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Rock salt (sendha namak) : as needed
Preparation
Knead kuttu flour, mashed potato and sendha namak to soft dough. Roll them into parathas and cook on a tawa with desi ghee. Serve this vrat ka khana with fresh curd or vrat wale aloo.
2. Rajgira (Amaranth flour) Puri
Rajgira or amaranth flour has a nutty flavour. Here is how to make an easy Mahashivratri special fasting recipe with it.
Ingredients
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Rajgira flour: 1Cup
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Boiled and mashed potato: 1 medium
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Water: as needed
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Rock salt (sendha namak) : as needed
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Wood-pressed oil: for frying
Preparation
Knead rajgira flour, mashed potato and sendha namak to a soft dough. Roll them into puris and deep fry in wood-pressed oil until golden brown. Serve this vrat ka khana hot with curd or vrat wale aloo.
3. Vrat wale Aloo
This is a Mahashivratri fasting recipe for a simple potato side dish that you can have with kutta ka paratha or rajgira puri.
Ingredients
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Boiled and cubed potatoes: 2 Large
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Desi ghee/ oil: 1 tablespoon
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Cumin seeds: 1 teaspoon
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Rock salt (sendha namak) : as needed
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Green chilly chopped: 1
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Fresh coriander chopped
Preparation
Heat desi ghee or oil in a pan, add cumin and green chilli. Add boiled potatoes and sendha namak. Saute for 5 minutes. Garnish this vrat ka khana with coriander leaves and serve.
4. Sabudana Khichdi Recipe
This is a classic sabudana vrat recipe for Mahashivratri fasting that is easy and nutritious.
Ingredients
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Sabudana (soaked for 4 hours): 1 cup
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Boiled and cubed potatoes: 2 medium
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Desi ghee: 2 tablespoons
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Rock salt (sendha namak) : as needed
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Cumin seeds: 1 teaspoon
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Green chilly chopped: 2
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Peanuts (roasted and crushed): 1 handful
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Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
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Fresh coriander chopped
Preparation
Heat desi ghee in a pan and add cumin seed. Saute gree chillies and potato for 2 minutes. Add sabudana, sendha namak and crushed peanuts. Stir for 5 minutes. Drizzle lemon juice and garnish with coriander. Sabudana vrat recipe is ready.
5. Sabudana Kheer
Another sabudana vrat recipe for Mahashivratri fasting is a creamy and tasty dessert.
Ingredients
Sabudana (soaked for 2 hours): 1 cup
Milk: 2 cups
Raw honey: 2 tablespoons
Cardamom powder: ¼ cup
Chopped nuts: 1 handful
Preparation
Heat milk in a pan and add the soaked sabudana. Cook until sabudana turns soft and transparent. To this add raw honey, cardamom and nuts. You can serve this sabudana vrat recipe warm or chilled.
6. Srikhand
This Mahashivratri special refreshing yoghurt-based dessert is also a good Shivratri food recipe.
Ingredients
Curd(yoghurt): 2 cups
Raw honey: 2 tablespoons
Cardamom powder: ¼ teaspoons
Warm milk with a few saffron strands soaked in: ½ tablespoon
Chopped nuts: 1 handful
Preparation
Whisk the yoghurt until smooth. Mix raw honey, cardamom and saffron milk into this. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve this vrat ka khana chilled.
7. Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie
This Mahashivratri fasting recipe for a smoothie will keep you fuller for a longer time.
Ingredients
Banana: 1
Milk: 1 Cup
Peanut butter: 1 tablespoon
Raw honey: 1 tablespoon
Preparation
Blend the banana, milk, peanut butter and raw honey until smooth and serve this vrat ka khana chilled.
Conclusion
These simple fasting recipes of Shivratri will keep you nourished throughout your Mahashivratri fasting day. Make your Mahashivratri special by cooking with high-quality satvik ingredients from Canistel organic food store. We hope your Mahashivrastri fasting is smooth healthy and spiritually uplifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we eat food in Shivratri fast?
Yes. You can eat food and fasting recipes that are aligned with Mahashivratri fasting rules. Satvik foods like fruits, milk, and vrat-friendly grains like kuttu, rajgira and sabudana can be had on Shivratri.
What to eat in Mahashivratri fast?
You can eat fasting food specially made for Shivratri. Mahashivratri special fasting recipes like sabudana khichdi, kuttu paratha, vrat wale aloo etc are good choices.
Can we cook vrat ka khana in oil?
Yes. You can cook vrat ka khana in wood-pressed oil or desi cow ghee. Make your Mahashivratri special by choosing organic products.