Navaratri is a Hindu holiday. It began on October 1, 2016, and lasts for nine days. Each of the nine days is dedicated to the Mother Goddess, Durga/Ambaji/Mataji. Most Hindus fast for all nine days. Learn more about Navaratri here. The holy book for the Mother Goddess is called Chandipath. Read it here. Hindu gods and goddesses have many names. Read about the many names of the different Hindu gods and goddesses here.
Other important Hindu festival dates:
Dassera – October 11, 2016.
Vagh Baras – October 27, 2016.
Dhanteras – October 28, 2016.
Kali Chaudas – October 29, 2016.
DIWALI – October 30, 2016. [Festival of Lights][VIP date!!!]
NEW YEAR – October 31, 2016. [Gujarati New Year]
Bhai Beej – November 1, 2016. [Brother and Sister’s Day]
Diwali is celebrated all over India, by all religions and states (much the way that Christmas is celebrated here in the US). Please wish any Indian looking people in your life a “Happy Diwali” on Diwali day.
Learn more about Diwali here.
I’m following up my blog with a few simple recipes that can be enjoyed over Navaratri. NOTE: I haven’t gotten around to including recipes for the full thal, let me know if you are interested in that.
NOTE: Thal refers to the full balanced meal plate of food that is offered to God. Have you seen the pictures of Indian meals, with a silver plate, and a bunch of little bowls? That plate and bowl set is called a thali. Generally, a proper thali includes a bread dish (roti, poori, paratha), a few vegetable dishes (shak), a few lentil soup (dal) dishes, pickle (achar), salad (kachumber), sweet (mithai), yogurt (dhai or raita).
Make It For Me Now 