Ratha Yatra, also known as the Festival of Chariots, is one of the most vibrant and spiritually rich festivals celebrated across India, especially in Puri, Odisha. On this day, Lord Jagannath, along with Balabhadra and Subhadra, embark on a grand procession, and millions of people participate with faith and joy.

Food plays an integral role in this celebration. The dishes prepared during Ratha Yatra are sattvic (purely vegetarian, without onion or garlic) and deeply rooted in the culture. Whether you are in India or abroad in the US, these traditional recipes will make you feel connected to your homeland and divinity.

Introduction: A celebration of faith, taste, and festive food

An important part of this festival is the offering of traditional, sattvic (no onion, garlic) vegetarian dishes, especially to the gods. These dishes are prepared with devotion and offered as bhog before being shared with family and friends.

Whether you are in India or celebrating Rath Yatra in the US, these timeless recipes help you stay rooted in culture and spirituality, while also enjoying nutritious, home-cooked food.

Let’s explore 7 soul-satisfying, easy-to-make vegetarian recipes that can be part of your Rath Yatra thali.

1. Odisha-Style Abhada Khichdi (Temple-Style Rice & Dal Mix)

Why It’s Special:

Often served as part of the Mahaprasad at Jagannath temples, this khichdi is far from ordinary. It is nutritious, aromatic, and made with pure ingredients like rice, moong dal, and ghee – it is the perfect dish for any holy offering or fasting day.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice
• ½ cup moong dal (yellow lentils)
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp turmeric
• Salt to taste
• Chopped vegetables (optional): carrot, potato, bottle gourd

Method:

1. Dry roast moong dal until golden and aromatic.
2. Add rinsed rice and cook together with 4 cups of water.
3. Temper ghee with cumin and bay leaf, and add to the khichdi.
4. Cook until soft, mushy, and comforting.

Tip: Serve with a clay bowl of thse sattvic khichdi, topped with ghee and coriander, on a banana leaf plate.

🍲 2. Dalma – The Heart of Odia Cuisine

Real-Life Note:

When I lived in Bangalore, my Odia roommate used to make this every Ratha Yatra temple-style dal — no onion, no garlic, yet packed with flavor!

Ingredients:

• ½ cup toor dal (pigeon peas)
• Chopped veggies: pumpkin, brinjal, raw banana, papaya
• 1 tsp panch phoran (5-spice mix)
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• Salt and turmeric
• Ghee (for tempering)
• Grated coconut (optional)

Cooking Steps:

1. Put the dal in a pressure cooker with turmeric and salt.
2. Add the vegetables and cook until soft.
3. Mix the panch phoran and ginger paste with ghee and pour over the dal.
4. Garnish with coconut if desired.

Tip: Serve these dalma in a steel bowl, topped with pumpkin slices and coriander leaves.

Also Read: Vegetarian Taco Salad

3. Crispy Puri – A Must-Have on Festive Days

No Ratha Yatra thali is complete without puri, which is a puffy, deep-fried Indian bread also called Indian fried bread.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tbsp suji (semolina)
• Warm water
• Oil (for deep frying)
• A pinch of salt

How to Make:

1. Knead the dough with flour, semolina and water until stiff.
2. Roll into small discs and fry until golden and puffed.

Tip: Serve the puffed puris arranged on a plate, with tomato chutney on the side.

🎃 4. Khatta Meetha Kaddu – Sweet & Sour Pumpkin Curry

This dish is sweet, sour, and full of personality, perfect for balancing out heavy meals.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups red pumpkin (cubed)
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds
• 1 tbsp jaggery
• Tamarind pulp (1 tbsp)
• Ghee for cooking
• Turmeric, chili (optional)

Instructions:

1. Crush mustard and fenugreek seeds with ghee.
2. Add pumpkin, turmeric, water, and cook until soft.
3. Stir in tamarind and jaggery. Cook until thick.

Tip: Serve these in a bowl of pumpkin curry garnished with coriander leaves and sesame seeds.

🍮 5. Kheer – The Sacred Sweet

Also known as Payasam or Ratha Yatra kheer, this is a beloved offering during any puja.

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of full-fat milk
• ¼ cup rice or sabudana
• 4 tbsp sugar or jaggery, or brown sugar
• Cardamom pods
• Dry fruits (cashew, raisins, almonds)
• Saffron (optional)

Method:

1. Boil milk with soaked rice.
2. Add sugar, cardamom, saffron, and dry fruits.
3. Cook until thick and creamy.

Tip: Serve the favourable golden kheer in an earthenware pot, dried fruits on top.

🧁 6. Chhena Poda – Odisha’s Signature Sweet

Fun Fact:

It is said to be Jagannath’s favorite sweet, made with burnt paneer or baked paneer of Odisha.

Ingredients:

• 250g fresh paneer (chhena)
• 2 tbsp semolina (sooji)
• 4 tbsp jaggery or sugar
• Cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts
• Ghee (to grease the pan)

Steps:

1. Grind the chenna with semolina, sweet potato, cardamom, and almonds.
2. Pour into a greased tin.
3. Bake at 180°C (350°F) until golden brown.

Tip: Serve these with slices ​​​​of cheese with caramelized crust.

🥣 7. Panchamrit – The Holy Nectar

Panchamrit is used in puja and also consumed as a spiritual offering.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp each: milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar

How to Make:

• Simply mix everything in a silver or steel vessel. Offer it to the deity, then enjoy.

Tip: Serve with a silver bowl made with creamy Panchamrit and Tulsi leaves.