Narali Bhat Sweet Coconut Rice

Narali Bhat Sweet Coconut Rice pudding

Maharashtrian sweet rice recipe for Narali pournima/Coconut Festival day

Narali bhat Sweet coconut rice pudding is a rice dish from the western Indian state of Maharashtra. In 2026 Narali pournima / Raksha bandhan festival is on 28th August.

This sweet rice is known as  Narali Bhat in Marathi, ‘Naral = Coconut’ and ‘bhat = rice’.

Narali bhat is made on ‘Narali Pournima‘ day, a ‘Coconut festival day’ which falls on a full moon day in the rainy season, mostly in August.

It is a festival for the Koli (fishermen) of the western Indian coast who worship the sea on that day as the sea provides them their livelihood.

You can use long grained basmati rice or any other rice of your choice. Basmati rice adds a flavor of it’s own to this rice.

Traditionally, this rice is made with jaggery(brown sugar). You may substitute jaggery with sugar if you wish. I always prefer to make it with jaggery. Jaggery adds it’s own flavor, taste and color to the dish.

Jaggery is healthier than sugar and gives a wonderful taste as well as color.

This recipe uses grated fresh coconut. If fresh coconut is not available, you may use desiccated coconut. If using desiccated coconut, soak it in a little warm water 10-15 minutes before using.

I have also added some rice recipes for you to visit, such as Vangi bhat, Chitranna, plain basmati rice, Curd rice etc.

How to make Narali Bhat Sweet Coconut Rice recipe

Main Ingredients for Narali bhaat sweet coconut rice pudding for 3-4 servings:

• Rice – 1 cup
• Fresh grated coconut – 1 1/2cups
• Cardamom powder – 1/2 tsp
• Cloves – 4 No
• Sugar or grated/powdered jaggery – 1 1/2 cups (more or less according to taste).
• Cashew nuts – 1 tbsp, chopped
• Raisins – 1 tbsp
• Ghee or oil – 2 tbsp
• Water – 2 cups

Preparation:

1. Wash rice, drain and keep aside for 1 hour.
2. If you are using desiccated coconut, soak that in warm water.

Cooking Sweet coconut rice – Narali bhat

1. Heat ghee in a deep pan. Reduce heat to minimum.
2. Add cashew nut pieces and fry a little. Remove and keep aside to add later.
3. Add cloves to the same ghee. Fry for a few seconds till you get the aroma.
4. Add drained rice. Fry for 2 minutes on low flame. If using basmati rice, handle with care.
5. Add 2 cups water and cook the rice till just done.
6. Add grated jaggery and grated fresh coconut. Mix well.
7. Cover and cook for 10 minutes on low flame.
8. Add the cardamom powder, cashew nut pieces, raisins and mix well carefully. Don’t let the rice get mushy.

Sweet coconut rice pudding or Narali bhaat is ready. Keep covered till serving time.

Tips:

• You may also make a syrup with jaggery or sugar with a little water and add it to the rice when it is just cooked.
• If the jaggery or sugar contain any impurities, making syrup and straining the syrup to remove impurities is better.
• Using ghee gives good flavor and taste.
• If vegan, you may use coconut oil or any other vegetable oil instead of ghee.

Enjoy