Navratri is one of the most important festivals celebrated in India among Hindus. It occurs twice a year for nine days and is celebrated in honour of Maa Durga. During this festival, all nine incarnations or avatars of Durga or Navdurga are propitiated and honored.
Rules & regulations of Navratri
And like all other important festivals, Navratri too has some rules and regulations. One of the most important rules of Navratri is to not eat wheat and grains across nine days. Along with this, alcohol, onions, meat, non-vegetarian food etc. are prohibited as well.
What to eat during Navrati?
Many devotees choose to fast across all nine days but many in modern times like these prefer to fast on the first and the last day of the festival. What is interesting to see that while people give up on regular food items during the Navratris, they turn to food items which are rarely seen in the kitchen? But the important question remains – why do devotees observing Navratri avoid eating wheat and other grains during the festival?
A Two-part answer
There are two parts to this answer – one religious and one scientific. For those are deeply ingrained in the religious beliefs and for those who are looking for logical reasons that suit their modern palette.
Religious Belief of Navratri fasts
Fasting is an important ritual in all Indian festivals. It is taken very seriously and the rules and regulations pertaining to every festival’s norms have strictly adhered too. As per religious beliefs, fasting is a way of sacrifice which brings us closer to the almighty. In Hinduism, it is believed that when one fasts, the abstinence from food and water leads to purification of the soul spiritually and helps strengthen the willpower.
Scientific facts
For the logical folks, fasting during Navratri (that falls twice a year) festivals comes between changing seasons. Therefore, at the change of seasons, when the festival occurs and people fast, they are really preparing their bodies for adapting to the new climate and food habits.
Ayurveda Facts
As per Ayurveda, eating foods like alcohol, meat, grains, garlic, and onion etc. help absorb negative energies in the body and therefore, during a seasonal change, they should be avoided. This is because our bodies are adapting to changing and the immunity is low.
Giving your body a break
When do you give your body a break? Generally, we wouldn’t think not eating or skipping meals but fasting is a methodic way of giving your body a break from the regular dietary routine. Hence, the lighter food choices for the festival of Navratri help our body to easily digest the foodstuffs.
Think of it as detox
Fasting is often seen as an opportunity for complete detox. Hence, it requires one to stay away from processed food items and urges one to use rock salt or sendha namak as we know it. For rotis, instead of wheat, buckwheat or kuttu, singhada and sabudana are quite popular.
Fulfill your heart's desire this Navratri
Did you know - Navratri - the nine-day festival to honor Maa Durga is also a festival to honor womanhood? And this is why people observe Kanya Pujan? It helps to eradicate all bad luck & seek to fulfill desires as well as revel in Maa's divine energy.
Rules & regulations of Navratri
What to eat during Navrati?
Many devotees choose to fast across all nine days but many in modern times like these prefer to fast on the first and the last day of the festival. What is interesting to see that while people give up on regular food items during the Navratris, they turn to food items which are rarely seen in the kitchen? But the important question remains – why do devotees observing Navratri avoid eating wheat and other grains during the festival?
A Two-part answer
There are two parts to this answer – one religious and one scientific. For those are deeply ingrained in the religious beliefs and for those who are looking for logical reasons that suit their modern palette.
Religious Belief of Navratri fasts
Scientific facts
For the logical folks, fasting during Navratri (that falls twice a year) festivals comes between changing seasons. Therefore, at the change of seasons, when the festival occurs and people fast, they are really preparing their bodies for adapting to the new climate and food habits.
Ayurveda Facts
As per Ayurveda, eating foods like alcohol, meat, grains, garlic, and onion etc. help absorb negative energies in the body and therefore, during a seasonal change, they should be avoided. This is because our bodies are adapting to changing and the immunity is low.
Giving your body a break
When do you give your body a break? Generally, we wouldn’t think not eating or skipping meals but fasting is a methodic way of giving your body a break from the regular dietary routine. Hence, the lighter food choices for the festival of Navratri help our body to easily digest the foodstuffs.
Think of it as detox
Fasting is often seen as an opportunity for complete detox. Hence, it requires one to stay away from processed food items and urges one to use rock salt or sendha namak as we know it. For rotis, instead of wheat, buckwheat or kuttu, singhada and sabudana are quite popular.
Fulfill your heart's desire this Navratri
Did you know - Navratri - the nine-day festival to honor Maa Durga is also a festival to honor womanhood? And this is why people observe Kanya Pujan? It helps to eradicate all bad luck & seek to fulfill desires as well as revel in Maa's divine energy.
