Lights, dandiya and action! It is yet again that time of the year when we put on our best dancing shoes, shake our hips to peppy music and indulge in yummy food. It’s Navratri time!
Probably the most upbeat and happening Indian festival, Navratri is a festival dedicated to Hindu Goddesses. Precisely translated, Navratri means “nine nights”. During these nine nights, the nine Hindu deities are worshipped. Navratri occurs two times in a year and as this appears in the months of March and April, it is known as “Vasanta Navratri”. The beginning of this Navratri also marks the beginning of the new year according to the Hindu mythological lunar calendar.
With a new deity to worship to preach, another day to fast, garba nights to have fun at and a different color to wear every day, this festival is colorful and fun. But that’s not what Navratri is all about. Where there is an Indian festival, there is also always a tasteful array of dishes. As this is traditionally a Gujarati festival, a Thali are a must have. A thali is meal made up of various dishes that cover all six flavors – salty, sweet, sour, bitter, astringent and spicy.
Some of the best Thalis in India are:
1) Suruchi, New Delhi.
2) Rajdhani, New Delhi.
3) Haldiram, Gurgaon.
4) Sagar Ratna, Gurgaon.
5) Thackers, Mumbai.
6) Golden Star, Mumbai.
7) Amdavadi Gujarati Snack House, Chennai.
8) Rangoli Restaurant, Chennai.
9) Rajwadu, Ahmedabad.
10) Mehmaan, Ahmedabad.
If you live anywhere in and around these cities and what to have a taste of Gujarati culture while enjoying its festival, make sure to visit these places and enjoy their amazing Thalis!
Happy Navratras!