In 2025, Sharadiya Navratri starts on Monday, September 22, and is celebrated for a period of nine days until Vijayadashami day on October 2. The day of fasting is observed in the Hindu month of Ashvina, and some choose fasting strictly for all the days, while others observe fasting for important days, mostly the 1st, 5th and last according to personal or regional customs.
What are Navratri Foods Allowed During Fasting?
The options for consumption for the devotees keeping fasts are fresh fruits, milk, yogurt, paneer other dairy preparations, buttermilk and lassi. Amongst flours, buckwheat flour (kuttu), water chestnut flour (singhara) and amaranth flour (rajgira) figure predominantly.
The root vegetables that are widely accepted include potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, raw bananas and certain gourds. Seasoning is generally allowed using rock salt (sendha namak) and soft spices such as cumin, cardamom, clove, cinnamon and green pepper. Nutrient energy is obtained by fresh juices, smoothies and refreshing foods.
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Which Foods to Avoid During Navratri?
The set of inhibitions for the fast includes rice and wheat, Pulses and legumes like dal, beans, eggs, meat, fish and any non-vegetarian items are not supposed to be consumed. Onion and garlic come under Tamsik and hence must not be consumed.
Processed or packaged food, fast food, alcohol, tobacco and any far-off and harsh-tasting items are also banned from usage. Regular table salt is avoided and only rock salt is allowed.
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What are Fasting Manners?
Do’s: Have sattvic food at regular intervals, have hydrating liquids such as milk, butter milk and fresh juices. Keep the surrounding clean, including the food preparation area. Throughout the day, do prayers, recite mantras and do devotional activities to be spiritually in sync. Use light spices; no heavy/oily food.
Don’t: Stay away from tamasic food, avoid intoxication, skip onion, garlic, meat and eggs. Don’t stuff yourself at one sitting and stay clear of processed or sugary snacks. Stay away from negative thoughts/arguments/hurtful actions toward others practicing diet is action discipline along with control.
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