Navratri is here, and one look around us is enough to tell how eagerly one waits to welcome this festival.
Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. The word ‘Navratri’ translates to ‘nine nights’ in Sanskrit. These nine days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, who comes to take shelter in the homes of her devotees.
During these nine auspicious days, devotees pray to the nine forms of the Goddess, also known as Navdurga, and seek blessings. Keeping ritualistic fasts is a common practice and an essential part of Navratri celebrations. People show their devotion to please the deity.
Navratri fasting is a tradition observed by millions every year. Also known as Navratri vrat, it involves abstaining from specific foods and practices. This fasting period aims to purify the body, mind and soul. It is believed that by adhering to dietary restrictions and adopting spiritual practices, individuals can detoxify their bodies, enhance mental clarity and strengthen spiritual connection with the divine. The fasting practice demands discipline, devotion and adherence to certain rules.
Significance of Navratri Fasting: Fasting during Navratri is believed to detoxify the body, boost spiritual strength and seek blessings of Goddess Durga. Thus, it’s a time of inner cleansing and spiritual connection. Devotees follow certain Navratri fasting rules to maintain sanctity of the fast.
Some of the basic practices followed during Navratri: Some opt for a complete fast, while others consume specific Navratri fasting foods allowed during the vrat. However, there are certain do’s and don’ts that every devotee must keep in mind during this period to reap the physical and spiritual benefits of fasting. No non-vegetarian, onion and garlic is allowed. Food should be prepared in desi ghee and peanut oil. Fast is broken at sunset with light food.
Most common foods: Traditionally, the most commonly consumed foods during fasting include fruits, dry fruits and nuts, and dairy products. One can also consume buckwheat flour, sabudana or tapioca flour, and fresh vegetables such as pumpkin, potato, cucumber, bottle gourd and sweet potato. Some common Navratri fasting recipes include kuttu puri, singhara dosa and arbi ke pakode.
Avoidance of non-vegetarian, onion & garlic: It’s necessary to avoid all forms of non-vegetarian food, including eggs. This is to ensure a pure and sattvic diet is maintained during the fasting period. Many people abstain from onion and garlic also during Navratri as these ingredients are believed to interfere with spiritual practices. Individuals also restrict consumption of grains and pulses during Navratri vrat and opt for ingredients like buckwheat flour, singhara atta, sama rice and sendha namak or rock salt.
Cooking in desi ghee and peanut oil: Cooking of Navratri vrat food in desi ghee or peanut oil ensures the purity of the fasting food.
Breaking fast after sunset with light food: It’s customary to break Navratri vrat after the sun sets with a light meal. It is better to avoid heavy meals because it can get difficult for the system to digest. Eating light and easy-to-digest meals is the best way to ensure that the body remains energetic and one gains positive effects of Navratri fasting.
Some popular dishes during Navratri vrat: Sabudana khichdi, which is loaded with good quality starch and carbohydrates, is one of the most relished Vrat dishes during Navratri fasting. Sabudana Kheer is a delicious festive dessert and a vrat classic. Flavoured with a hint of cardamom and saffron, and topped with some chunky nuts, it is an absolute treat. Sabudana acts as instant energy booster during these fasts.
Kuttu atta ki puri are the best accompaniments to aloo nhaji. These puris can also be savoured with a bowl of chilled curd. Kuttu is known to lift energy levels.
Roasted makhana or phool makhana or fox nuts are Navratri special foods. You can add them to your kheer, or make makhane ki sabzi. But the most popularly enjoyed version of these bite-sized seeds are when they are simply roasted makhanas or phool makhana and rubbed with some rock salt and pepper.
Aloo ki kadhi is a special Navratri food. Its main ingredient is potato and is prepared with mild spices. The soothing flavours of this lovely curry made with light spices will have you licking your fingers.
Vrat ke chawal ka pulav or samai ke chawal (barnyard millet) are used by many for their fast preparations. One can use this Navratri special food to make a wholesome pulao that tastes best with aloo kadhi, kaddu ki sabzi or lauki ki sabzi.
Sookhi arbi is a nice change from the usual leafy vegetables that we make for lunch!. Arbi or ‘Colocasia’ is a great summer vegetable that is quite versatile. This Navratri special food goes well with all puris and rotis. It is made with mild spices, yet tastes delicious.
Singhare atte ka halwa is another Navratri item used commonly in place of regular grains or wheat. This dessert is made with the goodness of water chestnut flour, sugar and ghee and topped with heaps of dry fruits and nuts.
Kacche kele ki barfi are delicious barfis made with raw bananas, sugar and milk. It is both wholesome and delicious. This delicate dish is served as a snack with freshly made peanut chutney. Shakarkandi chaat fruit chaats are made with boiled and peeled sweet potatoes and topped with lemon, rock salt and chaat masala. It’s an extremely popular Navratri dish.
For The Road:
Observing Navratri fasting rules correctly can help you get closer to divine feeling and more grounded. It varies among regions and communities, but the essence remains the same. The fasting period is a time of self-discipline, prayer and reflection.
Navratri fasting FAQs:
When to break Navratri fast: The normal practice to break Navratri fast is in the evening, after the sun goes down.
Is water allowed during the Navratri fasting: Although Navratri fasting rules differ, most people drink water and coconut water to stay hydrated during their fast. It is crucial to stay hydrated while fasting to maintain energy levels throughout the day.
Which foods allowed during Navratri fasting: People who are fasting generally observe a strict diet consisting of fruits, singhara atta, kuttu atta, sabudana, fresh vegetables and dairy products. Navratri fasting also dictates abstaining from certain practices to detox and maintain purity.
What to eat on Navratri fast for 9 days: For those who observe the Navratri fast, it is important to eat only vrat ka khana. Some popular fasting dishes during Navratri include sabudana kheer, makhana porridge, kuttu dosa, kuttu pakode.
How to break Navratri fast on the 9th day: On Navami or ninth day of Navratri fast, people generally celebrate kanya puja where they offer halwa puri and chole to the Goddess. Hence, it is okay to break Navratri vrat with the same.
What are Navratri rules for couples: It varies based on cultural and regional traditions. However, during this period, couples are expected to maintain a high level of purity and devotion. This may include observing the fast together, visiting temples and doing charitable acts together.
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