Navratri Fasting Dos And Don’ts; Essential Things To Keep In Mind

The nine nights of Navratri is a grand celebration across the country: Navratri is one of the most significant festivals for Hindus, celebrated with grandeur across all states. People prepare delicious food, wear new clothes, participate in rituals, and offer Bhog to Goddess Durga.

As you participate in the sacred ritual of fasting this Navratri , keep these Dos and Don’ts in mind to make your fasting experience more fulfilling and blessed.

Navratri Fasting Dos:

• Stay fit by eating nutritious food such as nuts during your fast.
• Ensure proper hydration by consuming plenty of fluids. Options include plain water, milk, buttermilk, and freshly squeezed juice.
• Replace regular table salt with Sendha Namak for cooking.
• You can incorporate certain herbs and spices into your cooking, such as black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cumin powder, green cardamom, ajwain, black peppercorns, and kokum.

Navratri Fasting Don’ts:

• Avoid using onions and garlic for cooking during the nine days of the Navaratri festival.
• Refrain from using mustard oil and sesame oil.
• Consumption of meat, eggs, or any non-vegetarian food is strictly prohibited.
• To honour the spiritual significance of fasting, keep your stomach half empty until the sunset sandhya aarti.
• Avoid spices like asafoetida, garam masala, mustard seeds, turmeric, and fenugreek seeds.

This year, Shardiya Navratri 2024 will conclude on October 12, with Dussehra celebrated on the same day.