Navratri brings nine days of devotion, garba nights, family gatherings, and plenty of travel too. Many people head home for the festival or visit temples like Vaishno Devi and other Shakti Peeths. For anyone keeping a vrat, a long train journey raises one practical question: what will I eat on the way?
Station snacks rarely follow fasting rules, and you can’t always tell what has gone into them. With ixigo’s Order Food on Train feature, you can order food in train that fits your vrat and have it delivered fresh to your seat, so you can keep your fast without going hungry.
Fasting on your journey?
Why Fasting While Travelling is Tricky?
A Navratri vrat has clear rules. Regular grains, lentils, and onion-garlic are avoided, and common salt is swapped for sendha namak. Many devotees also avoid packaged foods with unknown ingredients. On a train, this leaves very few choices. Platform vendors mostly sell samosas, pakoras, and regular thalis, and a quick stop leaves no time to ask how something was cooked.
As a result, many travellers pack dry fruits and bananas and get by on those for an entire 12- or 20-hour journey. With our “Food on Train” service, you don’t have to.
How ixigo Makes Navratri Meals Easy on the Go
ixigo’s Order Food on Train feature works with Swiggy’s restaurant network, which brings 40k+ restaurants across 160+ stations into the app. That means a much wider menu than the usual station fare, including vrat-friendly kitchens along your route.
Here’s why an online food order in train through ixigo works well during the festive season:
- Order with your PNR: Your PNR tells the app your train, coach, and seat, so you see restaurants at stations on your route.
- Track your order live: Real-time tracking shows when your meal is being prepared and when it will reach your station.
- Free cancellation: You can cancel for free before the restaurant starts cooking, in case your plans change.
- FSSAI-certified restaurants: Meals come from verified kitchens, which matters when you’re particular about what goes into your food.
Alternatively, you can also place an online food order in train using the ConfirmTkt app.
Best Navratri Vrat Meals to Order on Your Journey
You don’t need to search for “Navratri thali near me” at every halt. Just open the ixigo app, enter your PNR, and browse what’s available at upcoming stations. Menus vary by station and restaurant, but these are some favourite vrat meals to look for:
Vrat Thali: A complete Navratri thali in train is the most filling option. A typical thali includes kuttu or singhare ki puri, aloo sabzi made with sendha namak, sama rice or sabudana khichdi, curd or raita, and a small sweet like makhana kheer.
Sabudana Khichdi: This dish is light, satisfying, and easy to eat on a moving train. It’s made with soaked sago, peanuts, potatoes, and mild spices.
Kuttu Puri with Aloo Sabzi: Kuttu puris paired with dry or gravy-style potatoes are a Navratri classic that keeps you full for hours.
Sabudana Vada: These crispy sago-and-potato patties are a good snack for evening halts and pair well with vrat-friendly green chutney or curd.
Samak (Sama) Rice Pulao or Khichdi: Barnyard millet stands in for regular rice and is a gentle option for long journeys.
Fruit Bowls and Makhana Snacks: If you’re on a phalahari fast, fresh fruit, roasted makhana, and dry fruits make good light meals.
Sweets for the Festive Mood: Look for sabudana kheer, makhana kheer, or rajgira laddoos to end your meal with something sweet.
Many restaurants also roll out a Navratri food special menu during the festival. Keep an eye out for these while browsing.
Jain and Satvik Meals
Navratri falls during a period when many travellers prefer satvik food without onion and garlic. Jain travellers also have specific needs, such as avoiding root vegetables. Through ixigo, you can find restaurants offering Jain-friendly and satvik options at many stations, making Jain food delivery in train a practical choice for families travelling together with different dietary needs. Before you order, check the dish description, and use the instructions field if you want to confirm details like “no onion, no garlic.”
How to Order Navratri Food on ixigo: Step by Step
- Open the ixigo Trains app and tap “Food on Trains” on the homepage.
- Enter your 10-digit PNR number.
- Choose the station where you’d like your meal delivered.
- Browse restaurants and look for vrat, satvik, or Navratri menus.
- Add your items to the cart and add any special instructions.
- Pay online or choose an available payment option, and place your order.
- Track your meal in real time and receive it at your seat when the train reaches your station.
Tips for a Smooth Vrat Meal on the Train
- Order early: Demand for fasting food in train rises sharply during Navratri, so book ahead where you can.
- Pick the right station: Choose a station with a longer halt for larger orders like thalis.
- Read the menu carefully: Check that the dish uses sendha namak and vrat-approved flours.
- Stay hydrated: Fasting while travelling can be tiring, so drink plenty of water, coconut water, or buttermilk if your vrat allows it.
- Order for the family: If you’re travelling in a group, a single order can cover both fasting and non-fasting members.
Travelling during Navratri shouldn’t mean choosing between your journey and your devotion. With ixigo, an online order Navratri food option is ready whenever you need it, whether you’re heading home for the festival or travelling for darshan. Book your ticket, check your PNR, and let ixigo bring a fresh, vrat-friendly meal to your seat.
Shubh Navratri, and Happy Travels!
