Chaitra Navratri 2024: Fasting Food

Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. Fasting during Navratri is a common tradition observed by millions every year. The fasting practice demands discipline, devotion, and adherence to certain rules.

Since Chaitra Navratri is right around the corner and all set to begin from the month of April, we have listed the important Navratri fasting rules and the dos and don'ts of fasting for the people who will be observing the fast for the first time.

Significance of Navratri Fasting

Navratri fasting, also known as Navratri vrat, 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 their spiritual connection with the divine.

Since it's a time of inner cleansing and spiritual connection, devotees must follow certain Chaitra Navratri fasting rules to maintain the sanctity of the fast.

5 Essential Navratri Fasting Rules You Must Know

If you are someone who is going to be fasting during this Navratri season, here is a Navratri 2024 fasting guide for you. But remember, fasting rules can vary from person to person.

Some may opt for a complete fast, while others may consume specific Navratri fasting foods allowed during the time. However, there are certain dos and don’ts that every devotee must keep in mind to reap the physical and spiritual benefits of Navratri fasting. Here are the Navratri fasting rules to follow:

  • Rule 1: Consume Fruits, Nuts, Dairy Products, and Recommended Foods
  • Rule 2: Avoid Non-vegetarian, Onion, Garlic, and These Foods
  • Rule 3: Prepare Food in Desi Ghee and Peanut Oil
  • Rule 4: Break The Fast after Sunset and Keep it Light
  • Rule 5: Avoid Shaving, Cutting Hair and Nails

1. Consume Fruits, Nuts, Dairy Products, and Fasting Foods

Traditionally, the most commonly consumed foods during fasting include fruits, dry fruits and nuts, and dairy products. Hence, you can consume these foods without any doubt during your fasting days.7856777265396,

In addition, you 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.

2. Avoid Non-vegetarian, Onion, Garlic, and these Foods

As you know, during fasting, it's necessary to avoid all forms of non-vegetarian food, including eggs. This is meant for maintaining a pure and sattvic diet during the fasting period. Apart from that, people also abstain from consuming onion and garlic as these ingredients are believed to interfere with spiritual practices.

Moreover, during Navratri vrat, individuals also restrict their consumption of grains and pulses and opt for ingredients like buckwheat flour, singhara atta, sama rice and sendha namak or fasting salts.

3. Prepare Food in Desi Ghee and Peanut Oil

Many people believe that cooking the Navratri vrat food in desi organic ghee or peanut oil ensures the purity of the fasting food. Hence, it is better to avoid refined or seed-based cooking oils to ensure the purity of the fasting food.

4. Break the Fast after Sunset and Keep it Light

For those who are wondering when to break Navratri fast, it’s often customary to break the Navratri vrat when the sun sets down. 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 your body remains energetic. Also, it's essential to maintain regular meal timings and have at least two meals a day to keep the energy levels stable.

5. Avoid Shaving, Cutting Hair and Nails

Since Navratri is a spiritually significant period, it is advised not to cut your hair, and nails or shave during these nine days. According to certain religious scholars, cutting hair and nails can attract negative energies and vibrations. Thus, it is better to avoid these practices during such an auspicious occasion such as Navratri.

The Takeaway

Observing the Navratri fasting rules correctly can help you feel closer to the divine. These rules symbolize the devotion to Goddess Durga and a commitment to seek her blessings. And with Amala Earth’s organic and mindful eating options specially tailored for Navratri, you can make the most of this auspicious festival.

FAQs on Navratri Fasting Rules

When to break Navratri fast?

As per Navratri fast rules, it is prescribed to break the Navratri fast in the evening after the sun goes down. People generally have two meals in a day and break the fast in the evening with a light meal that is easy to digest.

Is water allowed during the Navratri fasting?

Although the Navratri fasting rules can often differ according to the regions and communities, most people drink water and coconut water to stay hydrated during their fast. Also, it is crucial to stay hydrated when fasting to maintain energy levels throughout the day.

What should we eat during Navratri fast for 9 days?

For those who are observing the Navratri fast, it is important to eat only vrat ka khana. Some popular fasting dishes and Navratri snacks include sabudana kheer, makhana porridge, kuttu dosa, kuttu pakode, and much more.

How to break the Navratri fast on the 9th day?

On the ninth day of the Navratri period, which is also known as Navami, people generally celebrate kanya puja or kanjak pooja where they offer halwa puri and chole to the Goddess. Hence, it is okay to break the Navratri vrat with the same food.

What are the Navratri rules for couples?

Navratri rules for couples may vary 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.

Can we eat cucumbers in Navratri fast?

Yes, cucumber is one of the vegetables you can consume during Navratri. Some of the other vegetables include bottle gourd or lauki, yellow pumpkin, arbi, potato and almost any root vegetable as per the Navratri fasting rules.