Chandigarh: This Navratri has a Gujarati flavour

CHANDIGARH: Besides the bright dresses and zesty dandiya, scrumptious Gujarati food being prepared by professional cooks at Gujarat Bhawan in Sector 24 is giving Navratri festivities a distinct flavour.



Also, the food is not “punjabiised” in any way. It is as authentically Gujarati as it gets. It is prepared by Gujarati cook Vinu Bhai, who comes from Jamnagar every year. He has certain special gujarati spices with him.

Stalls offer goodies such as Thepla, Vada Pao, Gujarati Pao Bhaji, Khaman Dhokla and Dabeli. While a few food items have been made available throughout the festival, the remaining menu changes everyday.





“Every day, new food items are being offered at the stall so that people can try a variety of food during Navratri. Non Gujarati residents are also visiting in large numbers to taste the variety of Gujarati food items. Thepla along with Lahsun (garlic) chutney and masala mirchi are a few things available on a daily basis,” said Dharmesh, president, Gujarat Mandal, Chandigarh.

Special items for those fasting have been prepared at the food stall. “We are glad that organizers have not left out people who are fasting. There is sabudana and buff vada made of sabudana, mashed potatoes and chili is being offered on alternative days at the stall,’ said Pratyusha Nanda, a resident of Sector 21, who has been attending dandiya and garba celebrations at Gujarat Bhawan with her Gujarati friends. A variety of Namkeen, including Bhavnagari Ganthiya, Papdi, Masala seviyan ganthiya and more have also been made available.

Jayesh, a city resident said, “All these food items, including namkeen and masala mirch (chilli) have been cooked in peanut oil, so they taste different and stay fresh longer.

No water is used in Gujarati vada, which is only cooked in oil and red chilli. The masala mirch served with Thepla is different