5 Easy Rath Yatra Recipes: Simple Satvik Meals to Make at Home

Rath Yatra, the grand chariot festival celebrated primarily in Puri, Odisha, is not only a vibrant display of devotion and tradition but also a time for spiritual introspection, fasting, and clean eating. Devotees of Lord Jagannath often observe a satvik diet during this time – one that excludes onion, garlic, and meat, and focuses on purity, simplicity, and freshness.

If you’re looking to honor the spirit of Rath Yatra at home with wholesome, flavorful meals, you don’t need to worry about elaborate preparations.

Rath Yatra Recipes

In this blog, we’ll share 5 easy Rath Yatra recipes that are light, nutritious, and can be made with minimal ingredients – perfect for the occasion.

Khichdi (Temple-style)

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Serves: 4

This is not your everyday khichdi. The Puri temple-style khichdi, known as “Mahaprasad Khichdi,” is made without onion or garlic and uses ghee for that heavenly aroma. It’s often offered to Lord Jagannath as part of the chhappan bhog.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice (preferably gobindobhog or basmati)
• ½ cup moong dal (split yellow lentils)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 inch ginger (grated)
• 2 tbsp ghee
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• Salt to taste
• 4 cups water

Instructions:

1. Dry roast the moong dal until golden, then rinse it along with the rice.
2. Heat ghee in a pressure cooker, add cumin seeds and hing.
3. Add grated ginger, then the rinsed rice and dal.
4. Stir for a few minutes, add salt and water.
5. Pressure cook for 2–3 whistles until soft and mushy.
6. Serve hot with a dollop of ghee and a side of curd or chutney.

Aloo Tamatar Sabzi (No Onion-Garlic)

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Serves: 3–4

This comforting curry is a classic Rath Yatra recipe that pairs beautifully with puris or plain parathas.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium potatoes (boiled and cubed)
• 3 medium tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp red chili powder (optional)
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp oil or ghee
• Fresh coriander to garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds and grated ginger.
2. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft.
3. Add all the spices and salt.
4. Add boiled potatoes and mix well.
5. Add a little water to get the desired consistency and simmer for 5–10 minutes.
6. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

Sabudana Khichdi (Sago Stir Fry)

Prep Time: 15 mins (includes soaking)
Cook Time: 10 mins
Serves: 2

Popular during fasting days, sabudana khichdi is filling, nutritious, and surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sabudana (tapioca pearls), soaked for 5–6 hours
• 2 boiled potatoes (chopped)
• ½ cup roasted peanuts (crushed)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 green chili (optional)
• 2 tbsp ghee or oil
• Rock salt (sendha namak)

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds.
2. Add green chilies and boiled potatoes, sauté for a minute.
3. Add soaked sabudana and mix gently.
4. Add crushed peanuts and rock salt.
5. Cook for 5–7 minutes on a low flame until pearls turn translucent.
6. Serve with plain curd or lemon wedges.

Also, read about Sawan Somwar Fasting

Lauki Chana Dal (Bottle Gourd with Bengal Gram)

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Serves: 3

A light and protein-rich dish that’s perfect for Satvik meals and can be enjoyed with roti or rice.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chana dal (soaked for 2 hours)
• 2 cups diced lauki (bottle gourd)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 inch ginger (grated)
• 1–2 green chilies (optional)
• ½ tsp turmeric
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp ghee

Instructions:

1. Pressure cook soaked chana dal with turmeric for 2 whistles.
2. In another pan, heat ghee and add cumin seeds and ginger.
3. Add green chilies and lauki, sauté for 3–4 minutes.
4. Add cooked dal, salt, and simmer until everything is tender.
5. Serve warm with plain rice or roti.

Kheer (Rice Pudding)

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Serves: 4

No festival is complete without a touch of sweetness, and what better than a simple satvik kheer to end your meal?

Ingredients:

• ½ cup basmati rice
• 1 liter full cream milk
• ¼ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• 8–10 cashews and almonds (optional)
• A few strands of saffron (optional)

Instructions:

1. Wash and soak rice for 20 minutes.
2. Boil milk and add the soaked rice.
3. Cook on low flame, stirring occasionally, until rice is soft and the milk thickens.
4. Add sugar, cardamom powder, and chopped nuts.
5. Cook for 5 more minutes and serve warm or chilled.

Final Thoughts

Celebrating Rath Yatra with satvik food is not just a tradition, it’s a way of aligning with the purity and devotion the festival embodies. These five easy recipes require basic pantry ingredients, minimal effort, and most importantly, they fill your home with the warmth of spiritual simplicity.

Whether you’re observing the festival with a full fast or just aiming to eat clean, you can add fresh essentials from Milkbasket & make these delicious Rath Yatra recipes in your kitchen. Happy Rath Yatra!