How to do Navratri Fasting ?
Table of Contents
Introduction
“Fasting is the first principle of medicine; fast and see the strength of the spirit reveal itself.”
Navratri is a nine-day festival celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm across India. While the festival is known for its vibrant colors, music, and dance, it is also a time for spiritual reflection and fasting. Fasting during Navratri is an age-old tradition that has been passed down for generations, and it is believed to have many benefits for the mind, body, and soul. During this time, people abstain from eating non-vegetarian food, grains, and certain vegetables. Instead, they consume simple, sattvic foods that are easy to digest and provide essential nutrients. But fasting doesn’t have to be boring or tasteless – there are plenty of delicious and nutritious recipes that you can enjoy during this time. In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Navratri fasting, including what you can eat, the benefits of fasting, and some mouth-watering recipes to try. So, get ready to dive into the world of Navratri fasting and discover the many wonders it can bring to your life.
What is Navratri Fasting?
The purpose of Navratri fasting is to purify the body and mind and to cultivate a deeper connection with the divine feminine energy. It is believed that by abstaining from food and focusing on spiritual practices, one can cleanse the body of impurities and attain spiritual enlightenment.
In addition to fasting, people also perform various rituals and ceremonies, such as lighting lamps, chanting mantras, and offering prayers to the Goddess Durga. They may also engage in charitable acts, such as donating food, clothing, or money to those in need
How to do Navratri fasting (Tips)
Here are some tips for doing Navratri fasting:
Plan your meals: Make a meal plan for each day of the fast, keeping in mind the foods that you are allowed to eat. You can include foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and nuts in your meals.
Avoid certain foods: During Navratri fasting, you should avoid eating non-vegetarian food, grains, legumes, onions, garlic, and certain spices. You can, however, use certain spices like cumin, turmeric, and rock salt.
Stay hydrated: Make sure to drink plenty of water and other fluids like coconut water, buttermilk, and fruit juices to stay hydrated during the fast.
Eat small meals: Instead of eating large meals, try to eat small meals throughout the day to keep your energy levels up and prevent hunger pangs.
Stay positive: Use this time to reflect, meditate and offer prayers. Stay positive and enjoy the festive spirit.
Break the fast with light foods: At the end of the fast, break it with light foods like fruits, boiled potatoes, and milk.
Benefits of fasting
Detoxification: Fasting gives your body a much-needed break from digesting food, allowing it to focus on detoxifying and eliminating toxins. Think of it as a spring cleaning for your insides!
Increased Energy: When you fast, your body goes into fat-burning mode, which leads to increased energy levels. Say goodbye to that post-lunch slump!
Mental Clarity: Fasting has been shown to improve cognitive function and clarity of mind. It’s like hitting the reset button for your brain!
Weight Loss: Fasting can help you shed those extra pounds by boosting your metabolism and reducing your caloric intake. Who needs fad diets when you have fasting?
Spiritual Growth: Fasting has been used for spiritual purposes for centuries, helping to cultivate a deeper connection with oneself and the divine. It’s like a spiritual workout for your soul!
Improved Immune System: Fasting has been shown to improve immune function, making you less susceptible to illnesses and infections. Time to stock up on that hand sanitizer!
Better Sleep: Fasting can help regulate your sleep-wake cycle, leading to better quality sleep and more energy during the day. Sweet dreams, indeed!
What you can eat during fasting?
During Navratri fasting, there are certain foods that you can eat and certain foods that you should avoid. Here is a list of foods that you can eat during Navratri fasting:
Fruits: All fruits are allowed during Navratri fasting, except for sour fruits like lemons and oranges.
Vegetables: All vegetables are allowed during Navratri fasting, except for onion and garlic.
Dairy products: Milk, curd, and paneer are allowed during Navratri fasting.
Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, raisins, and sunflower seeds are allowed during Navratri fasting.
Buckwheat flour: Buckwheat flour is a popular ingredient during Navratri fasting. It can be used to make dishes like kuttu ki puri and kuttu ka halwa.
Sabudana: Sabudana or tapioca pearls are also a popular ingredient during Navratri fasting. They can be used to make dishes like sabudana khichdi and sabudana vada
Home-made recipes for Navratri Fasting
Here are some recipes that you can try during Navratri fasting:
Fruit salad: Cut up a variety of fruits and mix them together in a bowl. You can add honey and lemon juice for flavor.
Sabudana khichdi: Soak sabudana in water for a few hours, then drain the water. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds, green chilies, and peanuts. Add the soaked sabudana and cook for a few minutes. Add salt and lemon juice to taste.
Kuttu ki puri: Mix kuttu flour, boiled mashed potatoes, and sendha namak (rock salt) to make a dough. Roll out small puris and deep fry them in oil.
Lauki ka raita: Grate lauki (bottle gourd) and mix it with whisked curd. Add roasted cumin powder and sendha namak for flavor.
Aloo Jeera: Boil potatoes and cut them into cubes. Heat ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds. Add boiled potatoes and stir well. Add rock salt, red chili powder, and coriander leaves. Cook for 2-3 minutes and serve.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Navratri fasting is an ancient tradition that has been followed by Indians for generations. It is a time to purify the mind, body, and soul, and connect with the divine. Fasting during Navratri can be challenging, but it is also an opportunity to practice self-discipline and develop stronger willpower. By eating a variety of delicious and nutritious foods, such as fruits, nuts, and dairy products, you can ensure that your body receives all the necessary nutrients during the fasting period.
As you embark on this spiritual journey, remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “Fasting is the greatest remedy, the physician within.” Embrace the power of fasting to cleanse your mind and body, and open yourself up to a deeper connection with the divine. Whether you choose to fast for one day or all nine days of Navratri, approach it with an open heart and a willingness to grow. May this Navratri bring you peace, happiness, and spiritual growth. “Jai Mata Di”
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FAQs
Tea and coffee contain caffeine, which is not allowed during Navratri fasting. You can drink herbal tea or green tea instead.
Potatoes are allowed during Navratri fasting, but they should be boiled or roasted. Avoid eating fried potatoes or chips.
No, it is not necessary to fast for all nine days of Navratri. You can fast for one, three, five, or seven days, depending on your preference.
You can eat sweets made from buckwheat flour, such as kuttu ka halwa or kuttu ki barfi. Avoid eating sweets made from sugar or jaggery.
No, alcohol is not allowed during Navratri fasting. It is important to avoid all kinds of intoxicants during this time.
It is best to avoid eating outside food during Navratri fasting. Prepare your own food at home or eat at a trusted restaurant that serves Navratri special food.
Yes, you can drink milk during Navratri fasting. You can also consume dairy products like yogurt, paneer, and buttermilk.
Yes, you can consume rock salt (sendha namak) during Navratri fasting. Regular table salt should be avoided as it contains iodine.
No, grains like rice and wheat are not allowed during Navratri fasting. Instead, you can consume grains like buckwheat flour (kuttu atta), water chestnut flour (singhara atta), and amaranth flour (rajgira atta).
