If we take a glance at the Hindu calendar, it is quite evident that October marks the beginning of one of the most exciting festive seasons of the year. Starting with Navratri, the month of October sets the festive mood for the rest of the Hindu festivities like Dussehra and Diwali. Having mentioned that, we know you are zinging with joy and delight as Navratri is just three days away. Beginning from September 26 this year, Navratri has already set the mood for most people. From the Puja preparations to the grocery shopping for the 9-days long fast, Navratri brings with a bucket full of enthusiasm and excitement. Traditionally, the 9-days long extravaganza is associated with worshipping Goddess Durga and her nine incarnations and is celebrated in most parts of India. The festivity begins with an Awahan Puja, continues with a 9-days long fast and ends with Kanya Pujan.
While the fast is the most vital ritual during Navratri, it has a few exceptions depending on personal preferences. While some people fast for all nine days, some fast only on the first and the last days and some simply give up consuming few ingredients. The Navratri fast brings with it certain dietary changes and substitutions. These changes include choosing Kuttu flour over regular flour, rock salt over table salt and complete abstinence from alcohol, non-vegetarian food, onion and garlic. But have you ever wondered why such dietary changes are important during Navratri? Well, I stumbled upon the same question a few days back and came across some explanations and thought of sharing them.
If we go according to the religious beliefs and Ayurvedic ideologies, it is a common conception that certain foods like onions, garlic, alcoholic beverages, grains and non-veg food attracts negative energy. Such foods should be avoided during autumn to keep the body safe from seasonal variations. It is also believed that giving up on regular food and observing a fast is a way to facilitate and test one’s devotion towards the almighty.
While the above facts are enough to convince most people, some people also tend to incline to the health aspect and we have some facts for them too. The Navratri fast is a great occasion to give your body much-needed detoxification. The avoidance of packaged and high-calorie food serves the purpose of fitness enthusiasts who are searching for a chance to detoxify their bodies.
We hope we have made you drop your thinking caps and go ahead with your Navratri fast without any more confusion. We also hope that this Navratri brings you joy, delight and blessings from Goddess Durga. Happy Navratri!
