One of the most important Hindu festivals, Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami culminates the 9-day festivities of Navratri. Dussehra Festival is also the 10th or last day of the Bengali Durga Puja festival. Dussehra falls on October 5, 2022 this year. Post which, people will begin with the preparations for Diwali on October 24, 2022. This is another significant Hindu festival. As you gear up for the Dussehra preps with a lot of fervour, here’s a list of 85 Dasara Festival Recipes that’s going to take the festivities a notch higher. There’s something for every palate in this collection.
Significance of Dussehra Festival
Dussehra Festival or Dasara marks the end of Navratri and Durga Puja celebrations in their respective regional locations in India. The word ‘Dussehra’ is a culmination of 2 Sanskrit words ‘dasha’ meaning ‘ten’ and ‘hara’ meaning ‘defeat.’ When put together, the word literally means ‘removal or defeat of ten.’
It was Bhagwan Ram who defeated the 10-headed demon king Ravana on this day. Thus, signifying the victory of truth over evil and giving the true meaning to this word. This festival is thus meaningful for the current times as well. It inspires everyone to follow the path of dharma, truth and righteousness. It reminds us that in the end, truth always wins.
When speaking of in terms of the Durgotsav or Durga Puja celebrations in the eastern, north eastern and some southern parts of India, Dussehra is popular under the sobriquet Bijoya Dashami. In this context, this day is dedicated to celebrating Goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
Although the significance changes, but the essence of both remain the same. That is, the Gods and Goddesses fought evil in order to restore and safeguard dharma as well as prove that it is truth, and only truth which is the ultimate conqueror. Since this victory was also achieved on the 10th day of the lunar Hindu calendar month, it came to be known as Vijayadashami. ‘Vijaya’ meaning ‘victory’ and ‘dashami’ meaning ‘on the tenth.’
Just like any other festival, Dussehra celebrations are also quite incomplete without good food. So, to make it easier for you, I am sharing a personalized compilation of simple, yet brilliant Dussehra Recipes in this post. These will surely make your celebrations much more than amazing!
More on Dasara Festival
Dasara Festival is celebrated under different names and with various rituals all over India, with much fanfare. But the ones that take place in Mysore in Karnataka, Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are noteworthy. In Kullu region, the celebrations last for 7 days.
Whereas, in North and South India, the festivities are marked by melas (shopping fairs) and Ramlila – a traditional dramatic enactment of the life of Bhagwan Ram with the burning of huge effigies of Ravana along with his brothers Kumbhakarna and Meghnadh on the day of Dussehra. Thus, signifying their defeat, and victory of good over evil.
No matter which region you are in, you can’t really complete the celebrations of Dasara Festival without indulging in some fabulous festive fare. Since this day is for celebrations and festivities, there are no set or defined rules for choosing a particular recipe to be made on this day. You can actually prepare any recipe that you and your family, friends are fond of.
85 Dussehra Recipes
This post of 85 Dussehra Recipes will make it all the more easy for you to decide on a delicious Dussehra menu. Since this festival is also about diversity, so is this signature collection of Dasara Recipes. I have handpicked and created this selection keeping in mind the ease with which a particular recipe can be prepared at home during these busy times.
This 85 Dussehra Recipes compilation is also super versatile and has a huge variety of easy to make dishes – ranging from some popular and some unique options in snacks, breakfast, main course, beverages and sweets or desserts. Be it a Bengali rasgulla and a North Indian jalebi or a South Indian payasam, murukku, etc. – in this list, you’ll get whatever your palate desires for on this day.
And just for the next festival, here are your recipes for Diwali Snacks and Diwali Sweets that you can check too.
Wishing all my readers a Happy and Joyful Dussehra this year, and the years to come!
Snacks Recipes
30 mins
Fafda is a fried crispy crunchy tasty snack made with besan (gram flour), laced with carom seeds and black pepper. A popular Gujarati vegan snack.
Moderate
50 mins
Hara bhara kabab is made with fresh spinach leaves, green peas and potatoes. So they are nutritious as well as delicious. Hara bhara kebab makes for a good Indian starter or snack. This green kabab can also be stuffed in burger buns or sandwiches can be made from them.
Moderate
1 hr
Matar ki kachori is a flaky, crispy deep-fried pastry filled with savory, spiced green peas stuffing. In the Hindi language, matar means green peas and Kachori is a deep-fried and flaky pastry.
Easy
20 mins
This khaman or khaman dhokla recipe makes a wonderfully soft and fluffy, lightly sweet and savory cake that’s perfect to enjoy anytime of the day. It’s easy to prepare steamed on the stovetop or even in the Instant Pot with my instructions.
Moderate
35 mins
Rava dhokla is a soft, fluffy, steamed savory cake made from rava (suji or semolina or cream of wheat) together with herbs, spices, white sesame seeds and topped with coconut and coriander leaves
Moderate
2 hrs 35 mins
Dal Vada also known as Parippu Vada or Chana Dal Vada or Masala Vada are savory, spiced, crunchy fritters that are a popular street food in South India. Gluten-free and vegan.
Moderate
25 mins
Aloo pakora are soft melt-in-the-mouth fried potato fritters coated in a delicious, golden, crispy gram flour batter. Make this awesome vegan potato snack also known as potato bajji in less than 30 minutes.
Moderate
1 hr 5 mins
Bread pakora is a popular North Indian snack of bread fritters. Bread slices are stuffed with spiced mashed potatoes filling, batter-coated and then deep-fried.
Moderate
40 mins
Aloo Tikki is a popular North Indian street food snack of savory, spiced and crispy potato patties. A basic Aloo Tikki Recipe is made with potatoes, spices, herbs, breadcrumbs or a binding flour and can be stuffed with a filling of mashed cooked green peas or cooked chana dal or paneer.
Moderate
1 hr 30 mins
Veg momos are steamed dumplings stuffed with a lightly spiced vegetable filling. A popular Tibetan recipe and also a popular North Indian street food.
Moderate
1 hr
Veg Manchurian is a tasty Indo Chinese dish of fried veg manchurian balls in a spicy, sweet and tangy sauce. This delicious veg manchurian recipe is with a sauce or gravy. A vegan recipe.
Moderate
45 mins
Veg Spring Rolls are a popular Chinese snack of crispy, crunchy rolls filled with a savory mix of vegetable stuffing. Hot handheld pockets of spiced veggies are wrapped and deep fried for a delightful snack.
Moderate
30 mins
A truly spicy street style dry chilli paneer. Best served as a starter dish or a snack.
Moderate
1 hr
Gobi Manchurian is a popular Indo Chinese starter or snack of batter coated and pan fried crispy cauliflower florets tossed in a spicy, umami, savory, sauce made with alliums, herbs, spices, soy sauce and tomato ketchup.
Moderate
8 hrs 45 mins
Fluffy, tender, tangy and sweet dahi vada are a combination of all your favorite flavors and textures in one tasty snack. They consist of homemade fried lentil dumpling fritters, dunked in creamy whipped yogurt and topped with both spicy and sweet chutneys.
35 mins
mumbai pav bhaji dosa
Pav bhaji dosa is a variation of dosa famous in Mumbai.
Easy
35 mins
Pani puri is a popular Indian street food of crispy, fried, hollow dough balls that are stuffed with boiled potatoes, steamed moong sprouts, spicy tangy water and sweet chutney.
Easy
30 mins
Besan Chilla or besan cheela is a savory Indian pancake recipe made with gram flour (besan), onions, tomatoes, herbs and spices. You can add your favorite grated vegetables to make these more nutritious, and serve as a quick breakfast, brunch, or even as a late-night snack.
Moderate
45 mins
Vegetable Cutlet are crisp, savory, tender patties made with a mix of hearty veggies, savory spices, fresh herbs and crispy breadcrumbs. Cutlet is a popular snack in Indian cuisine.
Easy
1 hr 10 mins
Delicious bakery style recipe of veg puffs.
Breakfast Recipes
1 hr 15 mins
This aloo puri is a traditional Punjabi spiced potato curry served with pooris.
Moderate
9 hrs 30 mins
Chole Bhature is a spicy chickpea curry served with leavened fried bread. Popular in Punjab and parts of north India.
Moderate
3 hrs 10 mins
Aloo Kulcha is a crisp and soft leavened flatbread stuffed with a spiced mashed potato filling. The dish is from the North Indian cuisine and is very popular in Delhi as well as Punjab.
1 hr 30 mins
Dal pakwan is one of the popular sindhi breakfast recipe. It is basically chana dal (bengal gram) served with pakwan (crisp fried Indian bread).
Moderate
50 mins
Punjabi aloo paratha is a popular Indian breakfast of unleavened whole wheat flatbread stuffed with a spiced potato stuffing. Learn to make these flavorful and tasty aloo paratha with my tried and tested family recipe.
Moderate
50 mins
Cauliflower paratha is unleavened whole wheat flatbread stuffed with a spiced grated cauliflower filling. Gobi paratha is often made for breakfast in Punjabi homes as well as served in restaurants and Punjabi dhabas.
Easy
30 mins
Kanda batata poha is easy to make recipe of flattened rice with onions and potatoes.
Moderate
9 hrs 25 mins
Idli recipe with lots of tips and suggestions so that you can make soft and fluffy idli easily. This idli recipe post also details the method of making idli batter. It is a popular Indian breakfast which is filling as well as nutritious.
Easy
47 mins
Rava Idli are quick, instant easy idli variety made with sooji or semolina. These suji idli requires no grinding and fermentation.
Moderate
9 hrs 30 mins
Masala dosa are crisp rice and lentil crepes stuffed with spiced and savory potato filling. They are a popular breakfast snack from the South Indian cuisine.
Moderate
1 hr
Misal pav is a popular Maharashtrian street food of usal (sprouts curry) topped with onions, tomatoes, farsan (fried savory mixture), lemon juice, coriander leaves and served with soft pav (Indian dinner rills).
Easy
45 mins
Easy lacy dosa made with semolina, rice flour, onions and all purpose flour. A quick breakfast or brunch option.
Easy
25 mins
Ven Pongal also known as Khara Pongal is a popular South Indian porridge that is made with rice, yellow moong lentils and laced with the wonderful flavors of spices, herbs and ghee.
Easy
20 mins
Sweet Pongal or sakkarai pongal is a creamy, sweet festive dish made with rice, mung lentils, jaggery and flavored with cardamoms, dry fruits and ghee.
Easy
30 mins
Upma is a savory South Indian breakfast dish made with cream of wheat (sooji or rava). It is also known as Rava upma. This upma recipe makes for a really flavorful and tasty breakfast.
Moderate
35 mins
This Bombay veg sandwich recipe is a popular Mumbai street food of delicious sandwiches made with mix vegetables, green chutney and a few spice powders.
25 mins
Paneer bread roll is a quick baked snack of bread rolls stuffed with a spiced paneer stuffing. No onion no garlic recipe. Tofu can be substituted instead of paneer.
9 hrs 30 mins
Set dosa is very soft, light and spongy dosa.
9 hrs 15 mins
Amazingly soft, light and fluffy aval idli made with poha (flattened rice), idli rice and urad dal.
Main Course Recipes
Easy
40 mins
Paneer Butter Masala is one of India’s most popular paneer recipe. This recipe with Indian cottage cheese cubes in a creamy tomato sauce is a best one that I have been making for a long time.
Moderate
40 mins
A slightly spicy and tangy curry recipe of Indian cottage cheese cooked with onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and freshly ground kadai masala in a kadai or wok.
Difficult
1 hr 30 mins
This Veg Biryani is an authentic Indian recipe packed full of your favorite rice, veggies, and spices. Made with patience and lots of love, this delicious veg dum biryani recipe requires both care and attention to detail. The savory flavors in your first bite are well worth the time and effort spent in the kitchen.
Moderate
9 hrs 45 mins
One of the best chana masala recipe that you can make. This chole masala is made with freshly powdered spices, onions, tomatoes, herbs making the curry taste like the ones you get on the streets of Delhi.
Easy
9 hrs 45 mins
This Rajma recipe is a creamy, tangy and spiced curry made with dried kidney beans. This restaurant style Rajma Masala is made in a base of sautéed onions, tomatoes, spices and cream making it truly delicious.
Easy
40 mins
This Shahi Paneer is deliciously rich and creamy, making it one of the most popular recipes in Mughlai cuisine.
Difficult
1 hr 30 mins
Malai Kofta is a delicious recipe of fried balls of potato and paneer in a rich, lightly sweet, creamy mild gravy made with onions, tomatoes, cashews and spices. This melt-in-your-mouth recipe is a labor of love, but one that is well worth it.
Moderate
30 mins
Matar paneer, a popular Indian curry dish made with green peas and cottage cheese, is from the versatile Northern Indian cuisine that has many different (and delicious) variations. I’m sharing our family recipe of a flavorful and simple home-style mutter paneer.
40 mins
40 Minutes Pressure Cooker Vegetable Pulao
Easy and quick vegetable pulao made in a pressure cooker in 40 minutes.
Moderate
50 mins
Udupi Sambar is a spiced, slightly sweet and tangy sambar made with pigeon pea lentils, mixed vegetables, tamarind and freshly ground udupi sambar masala paste.
Easy
30 mins
This restaurant style dal tadka is a smooth and creamy dal tempered with Indian spices with a smoky charcoal flavor.
Moderate
25 mins
Dal Fry is a delicious lentil or dal recipe popular in India that is made with tur dal (pigeon pea lentils), onions, tomatoes and spices. I share both the stovetop and Instant pot method to make this dal fry recipe.
Easy
9 hrs
This Dal Makhani recipe is a restaurant style version with subtle smoky flavors and creaminess of the lentils. Dal Makhani is one of the most popular lentil recipes from the North Indian cuisine made with whole urad dal (black gram) and kidney beans.
Easy
45 mins
Bhindi Masala is a North Indian curried dish made with tender okra pods, piquant onions, tangy tomatoes, bold spices and herbs.
Easy
50 mins
This Mushroom Masala recipe is an easy, delicious Punjabi style mushroom curry made with white button mushrooms in a spiced onion-tomato gravy.
Moderate
30 mins
Tawa paneer is a semi dry curry with capsicum/bell pepper, onions, tomatoes and paneer cubes cooked on tawa or a griddle. A popular paneer dish served in restaurants.
Moderate
40 mins
Palak Paneer that is delicious, smooth and creamy. This easy palak paneer recipe is made with fresh spinach leaves, paneer, onions, tomatoes, herbs and spices. This is one of the most popular North Indian dish.
1 hr 5 mins
Pressure Cooker Vegetable Biryani (With coconut Milk)
This is an easy recipe method of a vegetable biryani made in a pressure cooker with coconut milk. No pre-cooking of veggies and rice.
1 hr 45 mins
Litti chokha is a rustic and traditional dish of stuffed whole wheat dough balls, where the stuffing is a spiced mix of roasted gram flour or sattu.
Moderate
40 mins
Paneer Lababdar is an easy-to-prepare, restaurant-style curry of paneer (cottage cheese cubes) in a creamy, mildly tangy and faintly sweet gravy. This vegetarian Paneer Lababdar recipe is also naturally gluten-free.
Dussehra Sweets
Moderate
15 hrs 45 mins
Jalebi are funnel-cake style fried spirals that are doused in a sweet sugar syrup for a delightful treat. This homemade jalebi recipe makes for crispy, crunchy, syrupy, juicy jalebi and is traditional method.
Easy
45 mins
Delicious gulab jamun recipe made with khoya (mawa) and paneer in the traditional way.
Moderate
30 mins
Besan Ladoo or Besan ke Laddu is a popular Indian sweet made during festivals. These are round sweet balls made with gram flour a.k.a besan, powdered sugar and clarified butter (ghee).
Moderate
15 mins
Make coconut ladoo with three recipes. The first one is a quick 3 ingredient recipe made with fresh coconut, milkmaid and cardamom powder. The second recipe has 2 ingredients – desiccated coconut and condensed milk. The third recipe is made with desiccated coconut and sugar.
Moderate
1 hr 5 mins
Badam ka halwa is a rich, luxuruous and popular South Indian style delicious halwa made with blanched almonds, ghee and sugar. This recipe gives you one of best almond halwa that you can make.
Easy
20 mins
This creamy seviyan kheer is a North Indian sweet made with wheat vermicelli, milk, sugar, dry fruits and flavored with spices. This incredibly easy recipe of semiya kheer comes together in 20 minutes and makes for an excellent dessert or sweet.
Easy
50 mins
Rice kheer recipe is a popular Indian sweet dessert made with basmati rice, whole milk, nuts and saffron. It is easy to make and is made with a one pan or one pot method. Rice kheer is basically Indian rice pudding and makes for a creamy delicious pudding.
Moderate
30 mins
Sheer khurma is a rich creamy pudding made with vermicelli, milk, dates, nuts, dry fruits, sugar and ghee. ‘Sheer’ means milk and ‘khurma’ refers to dates in Persian language.
Moderate
1 hr
Paal Payasam is a simple South Indian variant of a slow cooked rice pudding made with only 4 ingredients. This recipe is of a typical Tamil style Rice Payasam that is creamy and delicious.
Moderate
1 hr 10 mins
A carrot halwa recipe made in the traditional way and slow-cooked – with just carrots, whole milk, ghee, sugar and some nuts. You will love this evergreen and popular gajar ka halwa recipe.
Moderate
25 mins
Rava kesari is a delicious melt in the mouth sweet made with rava or suji (semolina), ghee, dry fruits and saffron. It is a popular South Indian sweet and can be easily made in less time.
Easy
15 mins
Suji ka halwa or Sheera is a classic Indian semolina pudding made with sugar, ghee and dry fruits. The recipe I have shared is a family heirloom recipe. We have been making this suji halwa recipe for decades during family get togethers, special occasions & festivals. The sooji halwa recipe can be easily halved, doubled or tripled.
Moderate
20 mins
These kaju katli are the way they are actually meant to be – thin, smooth, melt in the mouth slices of cashew goodness.
Moderate
40 mins
Rasgulla is a popular Bengali sweet and is also called as rosogolla. This Bengali rasgulla recipe will guide you in making soft and spongy rasgulla.
Moderate
30 mins
Motichur laddu are soft, delish melt in the mouth ladoo made mainly with gram flour, sugar, and spices.. One of the most popular Indian sweet.
Moderate
50 mins
Rasmalai is a popular Bengali sweet of cottage cheese balls soaked in thickened, sweetened milk that has been scented with cardamom and saffron. A creamy, melt in your mouth Indian dessert sweet.
Moderate
1 hr
Malpua is a popular Indian sweet of fried fluffy pancakes dipped in sugar syrup and served with rabdi or sweetened thickened milk.
Easy
20 mins
This two-ingredient, super fast recipe for Kalakand (a.k.a. Indian Milk Cake) comes together in just 15 minutes thanks to the help of a can of sweetened condensed milk.
Moderate
1 hr 30 mins
Shahi tukda is a rich, royal Mughlai dessert of fried sugar syrup coated bread topped and soaked with fragrant creamy sweet thickened milk or rabri and garnished with dry fruits.
Moderate
1 hr 25 mins
This Coconut Burfi is a delish, melt in the mouth fudge made with sweetened condensed milk, milk, and desiccated coconut.
Moderate
1 hr
Eggless sponge cake recipe made in cooker with step by step photos. Spongy and a soft, light textured delicious egg free sponge cake recipe made in a pressure cooker.
Beverages Recipes
Easy
35 mins
Healthy, refreshing, and energy-boosting, this dry fruit milkshake recipe is the perfect beverage to give you a quick boost throughout the day! It includes dried fruits, nuts, and plant-based milk making it a great gluten-free and vegan option.
Easy
10 mins
Lassi is a cooling, refreshing, probiotic drink perfect for the warm summer months. Popular in Punjab and North India, there are many variations of this sweet lassi recipe. Find three easy, energizing and flavorful lassi recipe variations.
Easy
20 mins
Jaljeera is an Indian spiced cooling drink, which is also served as an appetizer.
Easy
15 mins
Easy to prepare and popular South Indian filter coffee or filter kaapi made in just 15 minutes.
Easy
10 mins
Masala Chai or Masala Tea is an Indian spiced tea made with whole spices, water, black tea and milk. A perfect drink for your breakfast or evening time.
This Dussehra Recipes post from the archives first published in September 2013 has been updated and republished on 3 October 2022.
Source: Dassana’s Veg Recipes
