Chhath Puja 2025 Nahay-Khay Recipe – The Chhath festival begins with Nahai-Khaai, which falls on October 25, 2025, this year. This day is the first step for devotees to purify their body and mind. After bathing in a river or pond, devotees consume sattvic food. And the hero of this sattvic meal is Lauki-Bhat (pumpkin rice). This is not just a meal, but an ancient method of preparing the body and mind for the fast. It signifies that devotees are consuming completely natural and pure ingredients.

Why Lauki-Bhat?

The Puranas state that lauki (pumpkin) is a sattvic vegetable that is easily digestible. It provides energy to the body during the fast, but does not weigh down the stomach. Most importantly, the use of garlic and onion is prohibited during Chhath Puja, and lauki-bhaat is so delicious even without these ingredients that it is beyond description!

Nahai-Khaay Special Bottle Gourd-Bhat Prasad Recipe

Let’s learn how to prepare this special offering for Chhathi Maiya. Maintain utmost purity while preparing it.

Ingredients

Gourd/Pumpkin: 500 grams (peeled and cut into small pieces)

Rice: 1 cup (Basmati or of your choice)

Soaked Bengal Gram (optional, but essential): 1/4 cup (soak for 2-3 hours beforehand; this enhances the flavor and nutrition!)

Ghee (desi ghee): 2 tablespoons

Green chilies: 2-3 (finely chopped)

Cumin seeds: 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder: 1/2 teaspoon

Rock salt: to taste (rock salt is used during fasting)

Water: as needed

Coriander leaves: 1 tablespoon (finely chopped, for garnishing)

1. Method of preparing rice (bhaat)

Wash the rice thoroughly 2-3 times.

Pour 2 cups of water into a pot and bring it to a boil.

Add the washed rice and a pinch of rock salt to the boiling water.

Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the rice is soft and has absorbed all the water. (If you prefer to keep the rice plain, omit the salt, as many fasting people do).

2. How to Make Satvik Bottle Gourd Curry

Heat ghee in a pan.

Once the ghee is hot, add cumin seeds and let them crackle.

Add chopped green chilies and fry for a few seconds.

Add the chopped bottle gourd and soaked chana dal (if using) and mix well.

Add turmeric powder and rock salt and mix again.

Cover the curry and let it cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes. The bottle gourd will release its own water, which will help it dissolve. If it seems too dry, add a little water.

When the gourd is completely cooked and the water has evaporated, turn off the heat.

Garnish with green coriander.

Serving Method

On the day of Nahay-Khaay, serve this hot gourd-rice prasad on a plate. Be sure to add a spoonful of pure ghee on top. Eat this sattvik prasad with your family and prepare your mind for Chhathi Maiya. This delicious dish will provide you with strength and purity for the entire fast!