Navratri is auspicious in Hindu Religion. It comes twice a year Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri. Chaitra Navratri comes in the month of March-April and Sharad comes in the month of September-October. During Navratri, Hindus keep fasting for nine days for Goddess Durga. As Durga Ma has nine different incarnations each day devotees worship nine incarnations. That is why it is called Nav (nine) Durga. Sharad Navratri 2022 starts Today (26 September 2022. First Navratri devotes worship to Maa Shailputri. If you are fasting for the first time, then don’t worry. This blog is for you. We will guide you on what things should be avoided or not.
Navratri 2022 Do and Don’t in Navratri
Navratri holds many religious aspects and people do fasting for nine days are blessed with prosperity, immense love and happiness. There are many things to consider in mind while doing Navratri Vrat.
Things to do in Chaitra Navratri
While doing Vrat or fasting there are many things to keep in mind because fasting is quite sacred. One can perform their normal duties besides this they should remember the following things while fasting.
- Clean Temple/ Mandir
Before Navratri Clean Mandir and some things should be at the temple like:
- Durga Maa Picture
- Coconut
- Red Cloth and offer this cloth to Maa Durga
- Ganga water
- Roli for Tilak
- Fruit
- Poojan :
The person or devotes should do Pooja twice a day or chant Maa Durga’s names.
- Perform Daily Duties
If you are fasting, you can perform daily duties like your work, study or any regular task inside or outside the house. Only unholy or evil things should be avoided which is not acceptable in Hinduism
Things to be avoided while doing Navratri Fasting
- Ban Garlic and Onion in kitchen
For nine days, one should not use onion and garlic in the kitchen. Devotees or one who is doing Navratri fasting /Vrat should be avoided these two things. For nine days, one should have to follow SATVIK Diet.
- Avoid Haircut during Navratri
Devotees should avoid Mundan or haircuts during Navratri. One who is doing fast should follow these things.
Not only haircut even you should avoid shaving your beard during the nine days of Durga Ma.
- Avoid Alcohol & Smoking
During these sacred days, person should avoids drinking alcohol and quit smoking during Sharad Navratri. Both things are considered as bad evils. Doing evils in such religious days is not acceptable as per Hinduism.
It is better to avoid alcohol and smoking for nine days and chanting Maa Durga s Name.
- Avoid Non-veg.
It doesn’t matter whether you are fasting or not but consuming non-vegetarian food during Navratri is not acceptable. It is considered an unholy thing in Hinduism.
Non-vegetarian Items like Poultry Items (Chicken, Egg, and Mutton) and sea Food (Fish, crabs, Prawns). Avoid consuming such items for nine days.
- Avoid cutting Nails
If you are fasting then avoid cutting nails during fasting days in Navratri. All these things are strictly followed by every Hindu devotee one who is doing Navratri Vrat should also be followed.
- Avoid Physical relation
If you are fasting then try to avoid physical relations for nine days. These all above-shared things should be avoided during Navratri days.
Navratri Fasting Rules
There are some rules related to food items which one can consume during Navratri and some things should be considered in mind while doing Worship.
Rule1: Take Bath Daily
If you are fasting, it is mandatory to wake up early and take bath before fasting.
Rule 2: Take Satvik Diet
Some food items we can’t consume during fasting. The fast need to consume simple and Satvik food these days. Many food items should be avoided and many people have doubts about food items during Navratri. Like what eat in Navratri fast? What should not eat in Navratri? Can cucumber be eaten in Navratri fast? Is coffee allowed in Navratri fast?
Navratri food items list:
- Kuttu
- Singhara
- Sabudana
- Sama
- Milk
- Fruits
Many dishes can be prepared using these food items.
Rule3: Avoid using Mustard and sesame Oil
During fasting avoids using Mustard oil and sesame oil in cooking. In the alternative, one can use Peanut Oil or Ghee. Devotees also need to avoid eating Maida, Pulses, Rice, Semolina and corn flour for nine days.
Rule 4: Katha Path of Durga Chalisa
An only avoiding food item is considered as Vrat. People and devotees must do Katha Poojan of Katha Chalisa twice a day.
Rule 5: Kanya Poojan
If you are fasting for the first time, then you should know about Kanya Poojan. Kanya Poojan is a holy Hindu ritual, mostly performed on Ashtami (Eight Days of Navratri) or in Navami (Nine Days of Navratri). These days, we offer Prasad to Goddess Durga Maa.
Conclusion
Navratri is one of Hinduism’s main festivals. Different part of India has their way of celebrating. Gujarat is quite famous for the “Gujarat Navratri festival”. As the Garba dance is performed and mainly large events are organized for Garba. Navratri has a set of rules which devotees must follow if he is doing fast.
There are some frequently asked questions like
- What vegetables can you eat during in Navratri?
Answer: You can eat Potatoes, Pumpkin, bottle gourd, arbi, spinach, tomatoes, cucumber and carrots.
- Can we eat ginger in Navratri fast?
Answer: Yes, the person who is on fast can eat ginger in Navratri Fast.
- Can we eat a tomato in Navratri fast?
Answer: Yes, Tomato can also be eaten during Navratri fast.
- Can we eat Makhana in Navratri fast?
Answer: Yes, it is very beneficial to eat Makhana during vast because it is rich in protein and fiber.
- Can cucumber be eaten in Navratri fast?
Answer: Yes, we can eat cucumber during Vrat or Navratri Fast.
