During Navarathri and other fasting days/ Vrat ..many families fast and use only ceratin ingredients , vegetables, fruits in the daily meals which is usually once a day.

While it is a great time to fast , we need not deprive ourselves of simple tasty dishes like sambar which we can have with samo idlis, rajgira ( amaranth flour ) dosas or even rotis made with barnyard millet flour.

This sambar can be a good accompaniment for vrat ka chawal too. ( Vrat rice using samo rice /millets )
So during the fast for nine days or ten ...it is a good idea to prepare the sambar masala powder ahead of time for daily use.
I like the slight difference in taste than the usual and also make it in larger quantities for a variation in sambar taste .
Make the powder with the following proportion.

INGREDIENTS:

5 tsp coriander seeds
4 round red dry chillies ( boriya)
2 tbsp roasted peanuts/ optional
2 tbsp kopra / dry coconut ( can be added for this batch if you are going to consume it quickly )
1 inch stick cinnamon

Method

Roast the ingredients with little oil, separately, till fragrant, let cool and then grind to a fine powder.
If you wish to add coconut at the time of making sambar by using fresh coconut or dry powder, add it to the sambar by grinding to a paste.
It can also be added while making this sambar powder for the 10 days. Store in clean airtight container.