Traditionally, Navratri fasts were followed keeping the changing season in mind. To safeguard the body from various infections, selective food items were included in the diet. Masaledar drinks were avoided, and light beverages like plain chaas were traditionally consumed.
According to Chef Manjusha Sinha who organizes cooking classes in Gurugram, "One is allowed to eat bottle gourd or lauki, yellow pumpkin, arbi, potato, cucumber, colocassia and sweet potato or shakarkand. Basically, one can consume any root vegetable or tubers during these fasts."
Shalini Nandwani, a Delhi resident who has been keeping the Navratri fasts since 20 years says, "In our family, coffee and tea are both allowed during Navratri fasting, as well as other beverages like chaas and fresh fruit juices. Packaged or processed beverages are usually avoided."
Some scholars say that hugging and kissing is in no way acceptable during Ramadan while fasting. Other scholars give the ruling that it is permissible if it doesn't sexually "move" a person. Long embraces, long sensual kisses, french kisses, etc are likely to move one of the party to sexual thoughts and desires.
Nothing happens. U have to light it again. The whole perspective of lightening a lamp is to keep the area or place of worship lightened as electricity was not discovered during the time rituals were formed a few thousand years ago.
Devotees who are observing fast should avoid getting a haircut or do a shave during Navratri. In addition to avoiding haircut and shaving, devotees should make sure that they do not cut their nails during these 9 days.
Dishes made of sago, potato and Singhare ka atta ,kuttu ka atta is generally
consumed by the people, when they observe
fast on
Navratri.
Some of the main fasting recipes are:
- Aloo Peanut Sabzi.
- Sabudana Vada.
- Sabudana Khichdi.
- Sabudana Kheer.
- Sama ke Chawal ki Kheer.
- Aloo Raita.
- Aloo Chaat.
- Kuttu ke aate ki poori.
Healthy, typical sleep is a natural period of daily fasting. Routine fasting in many ways helps the body stay well aligned for sleep. Eating during the evenings, and having a body engaged in active digestion, often create problems for sleep. Some studies suggest that periodic, short-term fasting can improve sleep.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating any food, drinking any liquids, smoking cigarettes, and engaging in any sexual activity, from dawn to sunset. That includes taking medication (even if you swallow a pill dry, without drinking any water).
During any fasting season, the body is undergoing detox and it needs plenty of rest. Hence, make sure you sleep for 7-8 hours every day.
Dairy products: Dairy products like milk, paneer, cheese, yoghurt, butter, malai, cream can be consumed. Try and keep the quantity of cream and butter less in your food if you are trying to lose weight. You can try variations of kadhi with milk or yoghurt with fruits to bring variety to your nine-day diet.
It is forbidden to marry in Navratri - Actually, Navratri is considered a festival of purity and worship of the Goddess. At the same time, in these nine days we worship 9 forms of Goddess and during this time fasts are kept for physical and mental purity.
Turmeric is a spice that is considered Sattvic in nature, but due to its bitter taste and tendency to generate warmth inside the body, it is omitted from the fasting diet. Turmeric and its use is, therefore, more popular during winters.
Whether fasting for Navratri or any other occasion, people are only allowed to have a handful of grains and spices along with fruits and dairy products. And one of the spices that people generally refrain from eating during this fasting period is turmeric (haldi).
Alcohol, eggs, non-vegetarian: The three 'sins' are prohibited during Navratri. Consumption of alcohol, eggs and non-vegetarian food is a big no during these nine days.
Make a colourful fruit salad which includes apples, bananas, watermelon, papaya, melon, pomegranate and eat it as a snack or as your breakfast. You can also include fruits like pomegranate in your raita and make a fruit raita. 7. Sugars: The normal processed sugars can be consumed during Navratri.
Here's a reminder of all the food items you can still eat when fasting.
- Amaranth Grains and Flour. You can make a light khidchi using amaranth grains if you are eating one meal in the day.
- Raw Banana.
- Coconut and Coconut Milk Preparations.
- Milk and Milk Products.
- Dry Fruits, Seeds and Nuts.
Dairy Products like Milk and Curd
A glass of milk every day during Navratri should be a must in your fasting diet. You can also add curd as an accompaniment with kachori, puri or khichdi.
