Navratri 2024 Fasting Rules: What to Eat and Avoid

Navratri is one of the most revered Hindu festivals, observed with great devotion and enthusiasm across India. Shardiya Navratri, which falls in the month of September or October, holds special significance as it celebrates the divine feminine energy of Goddess Durga and her nine forms. The festival not only involves prayers and rituals but also includes a period of fasting that is believed to cleanse the mind, body, and soul. This year, Shardiya Navratri will begin on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

Fasting during Navratri is a traditional practice that signifies self-control and purity. To ensure the fast is maintained in an appropriate manner, there are specific guidelines on what to eat and what to avoid. Let’s take a closer look at the Navratri fasting rules to understand how devotees can observe this sacred ritual with sincerity.

Navratri 2024: What to Eat

During Navratri, certain food items are considered pure and are allowed to be consumed while fasting. These foods are light on the stomach and provide the necessary energy for devotees to sustain their fast. Here are some of the permitted food items:

• Fruits and Dairy Products: Fresh fruits, along with milk and dairy products such as curd and paneer, are widely consumed during Navratri. These items not only keep the body hydrated but also provide essential nutrients.


• Sabudana (Tapioca Pearls): Sabudana is one of the most popular ingredients used during Navratri fasting. It is usually prepared as Sabudana Khichdi or Sabudana Vada, providing a good source of carbohydrates and energy.


• Buckwheat Flour (Kuttu Ka Atta): Buckwheat flour is used to prepare rotis, puris, or pakoras during the fast. It is gluten-free and highly nutritious, making it a suitable option for fasting devotees.


• Singhara Atta (Water Chestnut Flour): Singhara Atta is another commonly used flour during Navratri. It is typically used to make puris and pancakes, offering a delicious and healthy alternative to regular wheat flour.


• Samak Rice (Barnyard Millet): Samak rice, also known as Vrat ke Chawal, is consumed as a substitute for regular rice. It can be prepared as pulao or kheer, adding variety to the Navratri meals.


• Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes: Potatoes and sweet potatoes are allowed during fasting and can be prepared in various ways, such as boiled, roasted, or as a part of curries and chaats.


• Rock Salt (Sendha Namak): Instead of regular salt, rock salt is used during Navratri fasting. It is considered pure and is believed to have multiple health benefits.

Certain food items are strictly prohibited during Navratri fasting to maintain the sanctity of the fast. Here’s a list of items that should be avoided:

• Grains and Pulses: Rice, wheat, lentils, and other grains and pulses are not consumed during Navratri. Instead, substitutes like buckwheat and samak rice are preferred.


• Common Salt: Regular salt is replaced by rock salt (sendha namak) during fasting, as it is believed to be purer and more unprocessed.


• Non-Vegetarian Food and Eggs: Meat, fish, and eggs are strictly avoided during Navratri fasting. The focus is on sattvic or pure food that does not include tamasic or rajasic items.


• Onion and Garlic: Onion and garlic are avoided as they are considered tamasic (stimulating) foods that can distract one’s focus from spiritual pursuits.


• Alcohol and Tobacco: Consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and any other intoxicating substances is prohibited during Navratri fasting.

The Navratri fasting rules are designed not only for physical well-being but also for spiritual growth. Abstaining from certain foods and following the guidelines with devotion is believed to purify the body and mind, making it easier for devotees to connect with the divine. The nine days of Navratri are dedicated to the worship of nine forms of Goddess Durga, each representing a unique attribute of the divine feminine energy. By observing the fast with sincerity, devotees invoke the blessings of the Goddess for health, prosperity, and spiritual fulfilment.