Common mistakes during Navratri fasting. One must follow the rules related to food during fasting
Navratri Fasting: What to eat and avoid: Shardiya Navratri, the auspicious festival is dedicated to the divine celebration of Shakti. During this period, nine forms of Maa Durga are ritually worshiped for nine days. Observing fasts and offering prayers during Navratri is believed to bring happiness, peace, and positive energy into devotees’ lives. It also helps them to overcome life’s challenges. Devotees also fast to seek the divine blessings and grace of Maa Durga.
One must follow the rules related to food during fasting. It is believed that ignoring these rules may break the fast and displease Maa Durga. So let us tell you in this article what to eat and what not to eat during Sharadiya Navratri fast.
What to eat?
• Flours and Grains: Kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour), singhara ka atta (water chestnut flour), rajgira ka atta (amaranth flour), and samak ke chawal (barnyard millet).
• Sabudana (sago pearls) for khichdi, vadas, or kheer.
• Vegetables like Potatoes, sweet potatoes, bottle gourd (lauki), pumpkin, spinach, cucumber, and carrots.
• Fruits and Dry Fruits: Apples, bananas, pomegranates, papayas, almonds, cashews, raisins, walnuts, and pistachios.
• Dairy Products: Milk, curd (yoghurt), paneer (cottage cheese), buttermilk, and ghee.
• Salt and Spices: Sendha namak (rock salt) instead of regular table salt, along with cumin, black pepper, green cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon.
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What not to eat?
• Grains and Legumes: Wheat, regular rice, oats, maida, suji, besan, and all lentils or pulses (dal, chickpeas, beans).
• Onions and Garlic: Strictly avoided as they are considered tamasic and stimulating.
• Non-Vegetarian Food and Alcohol: Meat, fish, eggs, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
• Regular Salt: Iodized or table salt is replaced with rock salt.
• Certain Spices: Turmeric (haldi), mustard seeds (rai), asafoetida (hing), fenugreek (methi), and red chili powder are often excluded depending on family traditions.
