Mumbai Shravan Food: Sattvic Fasting Feasts and Seasonal

Greetings to my favourite month of the year in Mumbai the month of Shravan. The sky is turned a theatrical grey, the atmosphere is saturated with the smell of wet soil, and the whole city appears to be given a tasty makeover.

Then forget all you know about fasting food. Shravan does not have anything to do with starving in Mumbai. It is a festival of flavor, culture and fantastic ingredients. The streets and the local markets, even the best restaurants change their menus.

The food lanes of this marvelous city have been visited by me over many years. I would like to give you a mouth-watering tour around Mumbai Shravan food. We shall discuss the delicious snacks, the healthy dishes and the desserts that make this month so special. Get ready to feel hungry!

Exploring the Unique Mumbai Shravan Food

Why is Shravan So Special in Mumbai?

The Hindu calendar has a special month called Shravan. It normally occurs between July and August. This is just the perfect match to the tremendous monsoon rains in Mumbai. To most individuals, it is a prayerful period. Other individuals opt to observe some of the food regulations throughout this period.

Must-Try Sattvic fasting feasts for Shravan

This is the most interesting one! A stroll through Mumbai in Shravan is a pleasure to the senses. These are the heroes of the street food that you must not miss.

The Legendary Sabudana Vada

Consider a golden-brown and crunchy patty with the inside being soft. It is prepared using moistened sabudina, smashed potatoes, peanuts, and fresh coriander. It is usually accompanied by a hot green chutney or sweet and tangy yogurt. A single bite of a hot Sabudana Vada and you will be in heaven! It is the final monsoon snack in fasting.

Sweet and Savory Sabudana Khichri

It is a comfort food favorite. Softened sabudana is fried with cumin seeds, peanuts and curry leaves. It is a meal that is light and satisfying. It is perfect when lemon juice is squeezed on it. An adaptation of this is available almost everywhere in the street during Shravan.

Crispy Kuttu Pakoras

Nothing is better than pakoras on a rainy day. They are prepared using kuttu atta during Shravan. Potato slices, spinach or pumpkin slices are coated with a spicy buckwheat batter and deep fried. These are extremely crispy and tasty. It would be the ideal monsoon evening and should be accompanied by a cup of hot chai.

Renewing Fruit and Nut Bowls

There is also a significant number of sellers of simple, wholesome bowls of chopped seasonal fruits such as banana, apple and pomegranate. Roasted makhana and peanuts are added on top of them. It is a fast, nutritious, and refreshing snack.

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Hearty and Sattvic Fasting Feasts

You may feel like having a good meal after all those snacks. You will not need to worry, Mumbai has you covered with its Shravan food.

The Comforting Rajgira Paratha

These are amaranth flour flatbreads. They typically are filled with mashed potato or pumpkin mixture. They are grilled in a griddle with a small amount of ghee till golden. I always have a hugging feeling after eating a rajgira paratha and a side of yogurt or potato curry.

Aloo ki Sabzi is a dish made of delicious Singhare

This is a time-tested combination. Simple, good curry prepared with potatoes, tomatoes (without onion and garlic) is served with pooris prepared with singhare ka atta. The pooris are soft and flaky, and entirely irresistible.

Dahi Kuttu ki Puri

This is another delicious recipe where the crispy kuttu puri is made and the dish is topped with a creamy, whisked yogurt. It is cold and revitalizing and tastes the puri crunch with perfection.

Sweet Endings: Don't Forget Dessert!

There is no Indian dinner which lacks something sweet. Shravan desserts are distinctly sweet.

Creamy and Rich Sabudan Kheer

Kheer is a type of pudding. The pearls are cooked in cardamom, sugar, and milk to make sabudana kheer. It grows creamy, and thick and wonderful. It is usually served with nuts and it is a favorite traditional Shravan sweet dish.

Energy-Boosting Rajgira Laddoo

These are sweet balls (round and sweet) that are prepared using rajgira flour, jaggery (natural sugar) and nuts. They contain lots of energy and are a nice snack in between the day.

Sweet Potato Halwa

Sweet potato is grated and cooked in ghee, milk and sugar till it gets a rich orange colored halwa. It is sweet, warm and the best thing to have after an Shravan meal.

Magic Home: Easy Shravan Cooking

I enjoy preparing Shravan meals at home. It is easier than you think! The following is my easy recipe of preparing perfect sabudana khichdi, the most consumed one.

• Wetting It is the Trick: Sabudana should always be left to soak at least 4-5 hours, or overnight. The secret is to apply water that is sufficient to cover them. Upon saturation, every pearl is expected to be pliable and part, rather than being adhesive.
• The Tempering: Add some ghee in a pan and heat it. Add spice seeds and allow them to pop. Then add peanuts, which have been roasted, green chilies, and some curry leaves. All the flavor comes with this base.
• Cook and Mix: Add the sabudana that has been soaked to the pan. Stir all ingredients on a low burner. Simply cook it between 5-7 minutes until it becomes slightly clear.
• Complete and Serve: Switch off the heat. Add rock salt, a large squeeze of lemon juice and fresh coriander. Your ideal, non-sticky khichdi is cooked!

More Than just Food: The Culture of Shravan in Mumbai

The Shravan food of Mumbai is the most best due to its feeling. It’s not just about eating. It’s about sharing. Families sit down to make meals. Glutaral friends gather at the street stalls to have hot vadas in the rain.

Temples are especially busy. They usually share prasad (blessed food) such as fruit or plain sweet. This common experience of faith and flavor unites the entire city. The food, rain and the companionship make a magic that is distinctly Mumbai.

A Final Bite of Wisdom

Exploring Mumbai Shravan food is one of the greatest joys of living in this city. It shows how Mumbai can turn any tradition into a vibrant, shared, and delicious celebration. So, the next time you are in Mumbai during the rains, follow your nose. Look for the stalls selling golden vadas and hot khichdi. Join the crowd, take a bite, and taste the true flavor of the season.

Your Questions Answered: Mumbai Shravan Food

Q1: Can anyone eat Mumbai Shravan food, even if they are not fasting?
Absolutely yes! In fact, most people who eat these foods are not fasting. We eat it because it is delicious, healthy, and perfect for the monsoon weather. It's a culinary tradition everyone can enjoy.

Q2: Is Shravan food healthy?
Yes, it can be very healthy! The ingredients used are natural, gluten-free, and full of nutrients. However, some dishes are fried. Like all food, it's best enjoyed in balance. Snacking on makhana or fruit is a very healthy choice.

Q3: Where is the best place to try Shravan street food in Mumbai?
You can find it everywhere! For a truly amazing experience, visit the areas around Siddhivinayak Temple, Dadar, and Chowpatty during the evening. The energy and variety are incredible.

Q4: What is the one dish I must not miss?
That's a tough choice! But if I had to pick one, it would be the Sabudana Vada. It is the iconic symbol of Mumbai's Shravan food culture. It’s crispy, tasty, and something you will always remember.

Q5: Can I find these foods all year round?
Some restaurants serve them all year, but the real excitement and variety are only during the month of Shravan. That's when every shop and street vendor puts up special signs for their "vrat ka khana."