Navratri 2023: Fasting? Know All The Fasting Rules, What To Eat And What To Avoid

by Vaishalee Kalvankar
Navratri 2023: Fasting? Know All The Fasting Rules, What To Eat And What To Avoid

One of India’s favourite festivals, Navratri is right around the corner! This Hindu festival is celebrated for nine days and is dedicated to Goddess Durga’s nine avatars. With devotion and piety every devotee tries to please the goddess and get her blessings. Special poojas and havan are performed to welcome the goddess at home. Some people also observe fast. But do you know what to eat and what not to? Let us help you!

 Know All The Fasting Rules For Navratri

Credits: Canva

Hindu followers continue to fast for nine days during Navratri in order to appease and obtain the blessings of Goddess Durga. The total number of fasting days is subject to change. While many people observe the fasts for the full nine days, some devotees just fast for the first two or last two days of Navratri.

There are several different Navratri fasts as well. During these nine days, some people simply consume water, while others consume fruit, and others only eat one meal per day. Some of the well-known Navratri cuisine recipes include Kuttu Ki Puri, Singhade Ka Halwa, Singhare Ke Pakore, Sabudana Vada, and Sabudana Khichdi.

Bookmark These Points

Bookmark these points if you are willing to do fasting this year during Navratri.

Credits: Canva

What should one avoid?

  • You should not consume grains like rice and wheat. Also, rice flour, all-purpose flour, and whole wheat flour should be avoided. 
  • Refrain from using normal table salt while cooking. 
  • Spices like fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, turmeric, asafoetida, coriander powder, and garam masala are avoided.
  • Avoid cooking in seed-based or refined oil.
  • You should not consume onions and garlic.
  • You should also not consume semolina, legumes, or lentils. 
Credits: Canva

What to eat?

  • Kuttu ka Atta (buckwheat flour)
  • Singhare ka Atta (water chestnut flour)
  • Samai Ke Chawal (barnyard millet)
  • Sabudana 
  • All fruits
  • You must use Sendha Namak or rock salt instead of normal table salt. 
  • Spices: cumin powder, black pepper powder, green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, ajwain, black peppercorns, dry pomegranate seeds, kokum, tamarind, and nutmeg.
  • Vegetables: potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, lemons, raw or semi-ripe pumpkin, raw pumpkin, spinach, tomatoes, bottle gourd, cucumber, and carrots. 
  • All milk and dairy products
  • Make sure you use desi ghee or peanut oil for cooking. 

Also Read: Navratri 2023: Significance, Muhrat, Celebration, Dishes To Make And More About It

Will you be fasting this year?

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva

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First Published: October 10, 2023 7:13 PM