As Navratri brings a season of devotion, reflection and cherished culinary traditions, ITC Hotels is marking the occasion with Navam Utsav, a Wholesome Delight for Festivities—a specially curated dining experience rooted in the flavours and customs of India’s festive kitchens. Drawing on the simplicity of sattvik cooking and the familiarity of traditional vrat preparations, the offering celebrates the ingredients, recipes and rituals that have long been part of the festival.
At the heart of Navam Utsav is a menu that honours the principles of festive fasting through preparations made without onion and garlic, using sendha namak. Traditional ingredients take centre stage, with sabudana khichdi and sabudana vada offering familiar comfort, while kuttu paneer pakoda, rajgira poori and kuttu paratha bring texture and substance to the spread. Paneer curry and khatta meetha kaddu add further depth, reflecting the varied flavours that define Navratri dining across Indian households. The experience is complemented by a Navratri Special Thali, bringing together an assortment of festive preparations in a considered, wholesome meal. Traditional sweets complete the offering, with sabudana kheer and khopra pak providing a sweet conclusion that remains rooted in the season’s culinary heritage.
Speaking about the curation, Vijay Malhotra, Area Executive Chef – East, ITC Hotels, highlights the “importance of preserving the traditions associated with festive cooking. The menu, he explains, draws on ingredients such as sabudana, kuttu and rajgira, with each preparation crafted to reflect the authenticity of traditional recipes alongside the culinary expertise of the hotel’s chefs.”
Beyond the menu itself, Navam Utsav reflects ITC Hotels’ broader approach to hospitality, one that places India’s indigenous culinary traditions at the centre of the guest experience. By bringing together familiar festive flavours and thoughtful preparation, the offering celebrates the cultural significance of Navratri while creating an opportunity for guests to gather over food that carries a sense of memory, ritual and belonging. In a season defined as much by togetherness as by devotion, Navam Utsav serves as a reminder that some of India’s most enduring festive traditions are best experienced around the table.
Images: ITC Hotels
