Vijayadashami, another name for Dussehra, is a festival that honours the victory of good over evil. One of the most fascinating aspects of Dussehra, aside from the ceremonies, processions, and decorations, is the festive cuisine. From hearty lentil dishes to decadent desserts and intricate thalis, each Indian region contributes its own flavours to the table.

Making a lavish Dussehra lunch can be too much for many families. Nevertheless, with careful preparation, you can make a tasty, classic, and simple festive lunch that will please both family members and visitors. Discover a carefully selected collection of simple festive lunch recipes from all over India that are packed with flavour and require little effort this Dussehra 2025.

1. Karnataka: Ragi Mudde with Sambar and Coconut Chutney

Ingredients for Ragi Mudde

• 1 cup ragi flour (finger millet)
• 2 cups water
• Salt to taste

Method for Ragi Mudde

1. Boil water with a pinch of salt.
2. Slowly add ragi flour while stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
3. Cook until thick and smooth, cover, and let it steam for 2-3 minutes.
4. Serve hot with sambar and coconut chutney for a wholesome Karnataka-style Dussehra lunch.
5. Tip: Ragi is nutritious, gluten-free, and perfect for a healthy festive meal.

Sambar Recipe for Dussehra Lunch

• 1 cup toor dal (pigeon peas)
• 1 cup chopped vegetables (drumstick, carrots, beans)
• 2 tsp sambar powder
• Tamarind extract as required
• Salt, turmeric, and oil

Method for Sambhar: Cook dal, add vegetables, sambar powder, tamarind, and simmer. Serve alongside Ragi Mudde.

2. Maharashtra: Puran Poli with Spiced Lentils

Ingredients for Puran Poli

• 1 cup chana dal (split Bengal gram)
• ½ cup jaggery
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• 2 cups wheat flour
• 2 tbsp ghee

Method for Puran Poli

1. Cook chana dal until soft, mash, and mix with jaggery and cardamom powder.
2. Knead wheat flour with water and ghee into soft dough.
3. Roll small dough discs, stuff with the dal-jaggery mixture, and roll gently.
4. Cook on a hot tawa with ghee until golden brown.
5. Serve warm as part of a Maharashtrian Dussehra festive lunch.
6. Puran Poli is sweet yet light, perfect for a festive meal without overwhelming the palate.

3. Gujarat: Undhiyu with Thepla

Ingredients for Undhiyu

• 1 cup methi muthiya (fenugreek dumplings)
• 1 cup chopped vegetables (purple yam, raw banana, beans, eggplant)
• 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 2 tbsp oil

Method for Undhiyu

1. Heat oil, sauté ginger-garlic paste.
2. Add vegetables and cook with spices and salt until tender.
3. Steam methi muthiya and mix gently with vegetables.
4. Serve warm with soft thepla or rotis for a Gujarati Dussehra lunch.
5. Tip: Undhiyu can be partially prepared the night before to save time.

4. West Bengal: Cholar Dal with Luchi

Ingredients for Cholar Dal

• 1 cup chana dal
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste

Method for Cholar Dal

1. Cook chana dal until soft.
2. Heat oil, add cumin seeds, ginger paste, and garam masala.
3. Mix in cooked dal, add salt, and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Serve with fluffy luchi (deep-fried puffed bread) for a Bengali festive touch.
5. Luchi can be replaced with puri or steamed rice for an easier version.

5. Punjab: Rajma with Jeera Rice

Ingredients for Rajma

• 1 cup kidney beans (soaked overnight)
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander powder, ½ tsp turmeric

Method for Rajma

1. Pressure cook soaked kidney beans until soft.
2. In a pan, heat oil, add cumin seeds, ginger-garlic paste, and tomato puree.
3. Add cooked rajma, spices, and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Serve hot with aromatic jeera rice for a Punjabi Dussehra feast.
5. Rajma is hearty, comforting, and loved by all ages — perfect for a family lunch.

6. Kerala: Vegetable Stew with Appam

Ingredients for Kerala Vegetable Stew

• 1 cup chopped vegetables (carrot, beans, peas)
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp green chillies, sliced
• 1 tbsp coconut oil

Method for Vegetable Stew

1. Heat coconut oil, sauté ginger-garlic paste and green chillies.
2. Add vegetables, cook for 5 minutes.
3. Pour in coconut milk, simmer gently until vegetables are tender.
4. Serve hot with soft appam for a traditional Kerala Dussehra lunch.
5. Stew is mild, fragrant, and pairs beautifully with soft, spongy appams.

7. Tamil Nadu: Tamarind Rice (Puliyodarai) with Vadai

Ingredients for Puliyodarai

• 2 cups cooked rice
• ½ cup tamarind paste
• 2 tsp sesame seeds
• Curry leaves, mustard seeds, dried red chillies
• Salt and jaggery to taste

Method for Puliyodarai

1. Heat oil, add mustard seeds, curry leaves, dried red chillies, and sesame seeds.
2. Mix in tamarind paste and jaggery, simmer for 2 minutes.
3. Pour over cooked rice and mix well.
4. Serve with crispy medu vadai for a Tamil festive lunch.
5. Puliyodarai is tangy, aromatic, and easy to prepare in advance.

8. Andhra Pradesh: Gongura Pappu with Steamed Rice

Ingredients for Gongura Pappu

• 1 cup toor dal
• 1 cup gongura leaves (sorrel leaves)
• 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

Method for Gongura Pappu

1. Pressure cook toor dal with turmeric until soft.
2. Heat oil, add mustard seeds, and sauté chopped gongura leaves.
3. Mix with cooked dal, simmer for 5 minutes, and add salt.
4. Serve hot with steamed rice for an Andhra-style Dussehra lunch.
5. Gongura Pappu adds a tangy twist, balancing the festive meal perfectly.

Tips for an Easy Festive Lunch Across India

• Make preparations in advance by par-cooking vegetables, making pastes, or soaking dals the day before.
• Simplify recipes: Without sacrificing flavour, use quick fixes like store-bought tamarind paste or premade spice blends.
• Regional combo: You can serve a Kerala stew or Punjabi dal with a Maharashtrian sweet.
• Presentation is important. Arrange food on vibrant thalis and add fried cashews, coriander, or dry fruits as garnish.
• To please a wide range of palates, include a dish that is sweet, tangy, creamy, and spicy.

This Dussehra, cook a regional-inspired festive lunch, download Foodism and let every bite reflect the diversity and joy of our culture. Not only will it satisfy hunger, but it will also create a feast for the eyes and a memory for the soul.