Navaratri Vrat food : What to Eat and What Not to Eat During Navratri Fast

People often stay confused about Navaratri Vrat– what to eat and what not to eat. Actually, Navaratri Vrat is not only about staying hungry, but it is a beautiful opportunity to detox the body and give peace to the mind. This is the time when we connect ourselves with discipline, purity, and spirituality. So, let us know in a simple way the essential rules of 9 days of Navratri fast, what to eat, what not to eat, and how to observe this festival in a healthy and positive way.

Importance of Navaratri Vrat

Observing fast during Navratri is not only about following tradition, but it is also a natural way to detox the body. It is believed that worshiping the nine forms of Goddess Durga during these 9 days frees the devotee from negative energy and brings happiness and prosperity in life.

Each day is dedicated to one form of Goddess Durga:

First Day – Maa Shailputri
Second Day – Maa Brahmacharini
Third Day – Maa Chandraghanta
Fourth Day – Maa Kushmanda
Fifth Day – Maa Skandamata
Sixth Day – Maa Katyayani
Seventh Day – Maa Kalaratri
Eighth Day – Maa Mahagauri
Ninth Day – Maa Siddhidatri

Thus, each day has its own significance and the rules of fasting are also connected with these feelings.

What to Eat During Navaratri Vrat?

Adopt sattvik diet

During Navratri, eating sattvik food is essential. It means avoiding grains like wheat, rice, pulses, and regular salt. Instead, eat fruits, milk, dry fruits, sama rice, and fasting flours like buckwheat, water chestnut, and amaranth.

Stay away from onion and garlic

Onion and garlic are considered tamasic. During Navratri, it is necessary to avoid tamasic food and eat sattvik food. Similarly, alcohol and non-vegetarian food are completely prohibited.

Limit the quantity of food

Many people eat only once a day, while some eat fruits twice a day. Some devotees strictly observe nirjala fast (without food and water).

Choose spices and oil carefully

People do not eat spices like turmeric and red chili powder during this time. Instead, they use black pepper, green chili, and cumin. Peanut oil or ghee is considered the best.

Avoid packaged and processed food

Fast food or packaged snacks spoil the purity of Navratri fast. Eating fresh and homemade food is the right choice.

Maintain mental purity

Navratri is not only about food rules, but it is also the time to keep the mind and soul pure. Meditation, mantra chanting, and reading holy scriptures are considered auspicious during this period.

Navaratri Vrat – daily Puja

Take a bath in the morning and worship Goddess Durga. Light a lamp, chant mantras, and perform aarti. Keeping positive thoughts throughout the day is the true essence of fasting.

Stay away from intoxication and negative habits

One should stay away from cigarettes, alcohol, non-vegetarian food, and other intoxications. It purifies both body and mind.

End the fast on Navami

On Navami, devotees perform Kanya Pujan. They feed little girls and offer gifts to them. Generally, devotees break the fast with simple sattvik food.

Types of Navaratri Vrat

Nirjala fast
The toughest fast, in which devotees give up both food and water. Only those whose health allows should keep this fast.
Phalahar fast
In this fast, devotees eat only fruits, milk, curd, and dry fruits. It keeps the body light and gives energy.
Partial fast
Devotees eat one proper meal in a day and consume fruits or milk at other times. This is a suitable option for busy people.
Complete fast
In this fast, devotees eat permitted food items like buckwheat flour, amaranth, water chestnut, and sama rice. It is considered balanced and nutritious.