Navratri

Nine nights of garba

Navratri is Gujarat's biggest celebration. Each evening begins with aarti before the garbo — the earthen lamp — and the mataji's photo, and then the circles of garba and dandiya raas go on late into the night, from society courtyards to the big party plots. Chaniya choli, kediyu and a lot of energy are all part of it.

Fasting and farali food

Many families keep upvas through the nine days, or on Ashtami alone. Farali food skips grains and regular flour — think sabudana khichdi, rajgira, sweet potato, peanuts, fruit and milk. Dates and dry fruit are a quiet favourite during upvas because they are filling and need no cooking.

How DeshÉ fits in

• Protein Ball — dates, nuts and seeds, no added sugar, no-bake. Handy to carry in a bag for a late night of garba.
• Khajur Pak — date and dry-fruit fudge, no added sugar, made without wheat flour.
• Nanakhatai — made with wheat flour, so it is not farali, but it is perfect for family members who are not fasting and for guests after the aarti.

Fasting rules differ from home to home, so please check each product's ingredient list against your own practice.

Gifting ideas

Small boxes of Protein Balls for your garba group, or a box of Khajur Pak for a fasting elder in the family. Enquire a week ahead so we can have it ready before the first night.