Soak chana dal in hot water for 10 minutes and boil it.
Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and when they turn brown, add onion and garlic. Cook it till it turns light pink.
Add lauki, chana dal and all the dry masala in it. Cook for 2 minutes, add 1/2 cup of water and let it cook till lauki is soft and tender. Serve hot with chapatis.