Navratri is one of the main festivals in India. Navratri is a festival in honor of the feminine divinity of Goddess Shakti. The nine-day festival is dedicated to the nine avatars of the goddess Shakti and is celebrated each day. There are nine avatars of Goddess Shakti whose worship takes place during these nine days. These avatars are Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmcharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, and Maa Skandam In eastern India, it is known as Durga Puja and is mostly celebrated in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Assam. Navaratri is also grandly celebrated in Gujarat. On these nine days, devotees follow a sattvic diet. The devotees follow the color code each day of Navratri.
Navratri will begin on October 15 and will end on October 24 this year.
Devotees who are keeping Navratri fasts should also avoid consumption of some food items which will be stated in the next title of the blog.
With the coming of one of the largest festivals in the country, here are some things that we should keep in mind about the food. Now the next heading will be the list of food items that are avoided during Navratri.
The list of Food items that are avoided during Navratri
- At this time people refused onion and garlic as well.
- Turmeric (haldi), asafoetida (hing), mustard (sarso or rai), fenugreek seeds (methi dana), garam masala, and dhania powder (coriander powder) cannot be used.
- During this holy period, one avoids alcohol, non-vegetarian food, eggs, and smoking.
- Corn, cornstarch, corn flour, oats, flaxseeds, and chia seeds are prohibited.
- Peanut oil or groundnut oil and ghee can be used as frying agents. Avoid using any seed-oil-based sunflower oil.
- Rice and rice flour.
- Maida (all-purpose flour).
- Sooji (rava or semolina).
- Besan Gram Flour/Chickpea Flour.
- Common salt.
- Garam Masala.
- Legumes / Pulses.
- Processed Food.
List of Foods Allowed During Navratri
- Flour: Amaranth (Rajgira), Fox Nut Flour, Sago (Sabudana), Singhare Ka Atta, Kuttu Atta, Sama Chawal.
- Some popular spices include Sendha Namak or Rock Salt, Black Pepper Powder known as Kali Mirch, Cumin Seeds often referred to as Jeera, Green Cardamom called Choti Elaichi, Mango Powder also named Amchoor Powder and lastly Cloves which are referred to as Laung.
- Available options for Milk Products consist of milk, curd, buttermilk, malai, and cream. ghee.
- Nuts – Peanuts (Moongphali), Makhana (Fox Nuts), Cashew Nuts, Almonds, Pistachio, Walnuts, Pine Nuts, Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds.
- All fresh fruits, Coconut Water.
- Potatoes (Aloo), Colocasia (Arbi), Sweet Potato (Shakarkand), Raw Banana, Kaddu (Yellow Pumpkin), Raw Green Papaya, Cucumber, Ginger (Adrak).
- Neembu (Lemons), – Hara dhania, – Lauki (Bottle Gourd).
- Ghee or Peanut Oil-Cooking Oil.
Conclusion
Some food items are also avoided during Navratri, especially during the concluding phase called “Vijayadashami” or “Dussehra” where devotees avoid eating grains, onions, and garlic. However, their diet involves various forms of flours including water chestnut flour and buckwheat flour, which are also associated with other kinds of vegetables and fruits. Purification in this particular case is through dietary restriction. The Indians prepare special dishes like sabudana khichdi, water chestnuts desserts such as singhara atta halwa to break the fast. These customs differ in different regions and people’s beliefs, but their core meaning is reflected in the spiritual essence of the festival.
Frequently asked questions about Food items that are avoided during Navratri
- What can not be done during Navratri?
Besides, such devotees should not consume legumes, lentils, rice flour, cornflour, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and semolina (rava) during Navratri fasts. Non-Vegetarian Food, Eggs, Alcohol and Smoking.
- Can We Eat Some Vegetables in Navratri?
Onions and garlic: In that case, you should avoid eating them because they are tamasic food and do not form part of the Navratri diet. It is also necessary to exclude mushrooms, leeks, and shallots. 2. Wheat, rice: During your fast, avoid eating foods made from all regular flours such as wheat, rice, refined flour, suji, corn flour, and all types of legumes and pulses.
- What is Sattvik food for Navratri?
Sattvik food which is consumed in common includes fruits, vegetables, dairy products, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. During Navratri, people may choose to cook special dishes which would fit into their fasting rules.
