How to Do Navratri Fasting: Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Fasting during this period is a significant practice for many devotees as it symbolizes purification and devotion. If you are planning to fast during Navratri, this guide will help you understand the do’s, don’ts, routines, and pooja practices to follow for a meaningful and spiritually enriching experience.
What is Navratri Fasting?
Navratri fasting is a period of spiritual discipline and devotion. It involves abstaining from regular food and following a sattvic (pure) diet. The fast allows devotees to cleanse their body, mind, and soul while connecting deeper with Goddess Durga.
Types of Navratri Fasting
There are various ways to observe the Navratri fast, and you can choose one based on your preference:
- Full Fasting: Consuming only water or fruits throughout the day.
- Partial Fasting: Eating limited meals prepared with fasting-friendly ingredients like fruits, milk, and specific flours.
- One Meal a Day: Devotees eat one complete meal (usually after sunset) while avoiding grains and certain spices during the rest of the day.
Rules of Navratri Fasting
Allowed Foods
You can consume these foods during Navratri:
- Fruits: Apples, bananas, papayas, etc.
- Dairy Products: Milk, yogurt, paneer.
- Fasting Grains: Buckwheat (kuttu), water chestnut flour (singhara).
- Sabudana (tapioca pearls), sweet potatoes, potatoes.
- Spices: Rock salt (sendha namak), cumin, black pepper.
Prohibited Foods
Avoid these items during Navratri fasting:
- Grains: Wheat, rice, lentils.
- Regular Salt: Only rock salt is permitted.
- Onions and Garlic: These are considered tamasic and should be avoided.
- Non-vegetarian foods: Meat, eggs, and seafood.
Detailed Do’s and Don’ts for Navratri Fasting
Do’s:
- Start Your Day with Prayer
- Morning Routine: Wake up early, take a bath, and clean your puja space.
- Puja Setup: Place a picture or idol of Goddess Durga and light a diya (lamp).
- Mantra: Recite “Om Dum Durgaye Namah” to seek blessings from the goddess.
- Stay Hydrated
- Drink plenty of water, coconut water, or fresh fruit juices to stay hydrated throughout the day.
- Hydration keeps you refreshed and helps in detoxification.
- Plan Your Meals
- Plan simple meals using fasting-friendly ingredients like kuttu, sabudana, and sendha namak.
- Example Meal Plan:
- Breakfast: Fresh fruits or a glass of milk.
- Lunch: Sabudana khichdi or kuttu ki puri with aloo sabzi.
- Dinner: Dahi aloo or fruit salad.
- Engage in Meditation
- Spend time meditating or chanting mantras to keep your mind focused.
- Suggested Mantra: “Om Jai Jagdish Hare” or “Maha Kali Ashtakshara Mantra” – “Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichche.”
- Practice Gratitude
- Offer your first portion of food to the goddess as a gesture of devotion.
- After every meal, thank the goddess for the blessings you’ve received.
- Engage in Acts of Kindness
- Helping the needy or donating during Navratri is considered highly auspicious.
- Join Navratri Celebrations
- If possible, attend community poojas, garba nights, or bhajan sessions to enhance the festive spirit.
Don’ts:
- Avoid Negative Thoughts
- Keep away from anger, arguments, and negative conversations. Maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
- Do Not Overeat
- Fasting is about discipline; overeating defeats its purpose. Eat in moderation.
- Avoid Non-Vegetarian Foods
- Strictly refrain from consuming meat, eggs, and seafood during Navratri.
- No Alcohol or Tobacco
- Consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or any intoxicants is strictly prohibited during the fast.
- Do Not Use Regular Salt
- Replace regular salt with sendha namak (rock salt) as it is considered pure during fasts.
- Refrain from Spicy and Oily Foods
- Avoid fried snacks and oily dishes, which can lead to sluggishness. Stick to light, sattvic meals.
Read more: What Can I Eat in Navratri Fast?
Step-by-Step Routine for Navratri Fasting
Morning Routine (Before Sunrise):
- Wake up early and take a bath to purify yourself.
- Set up your puja space, clean it, and decorate it with flowers.
- Light a diya or candle in front of the idol or image of Goddess Durga.
- Offer fruits, flowers, and light incense.
- Recite the Durga Saptashati or Durga Chalisa.
- Chant the mantra “Om Dum Durgaye Namah” or “Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichche” for inner strength and peace.
Mid-Morning:
- Drink water, coconut water, or fresh juice.
- Engage in meditation or prayer to stay focused on the spiritual aspect of Navratri.
Breakfast:
- Eat light, fasting-approved foods such as fruits, a glass of milk, or roasted makhana (fox nuts).
Lunch:
- Enjoy a fasting meal like sabudana khichdi, kuttu ki puri, or aloo sabzi.
- Avoid heavy, fried, or overly spiced food.
Afternoon:
- Take some time to meditate or read scriptures like the Durga Saptashati.
- If possible, attend a community pooja or prayer session.
Evening Puja:
- Light a diya and incense in the evening.
- Offer fresh flowers, fruits, and sweets to the goddess.
- Recite the “Maha Kali Ashtakshara Mantra” or “Om Shanti Shanti Shantih” for peace and tranquility.
Dinner:
- Opt for a light dinner such as fruit salad, dahi aloo, or a simple paneer dish.
- Finish your meal early to avoid eating close to bedtime.
Night:
- End the day by meditating for a few minutes and reflecting on your spiritual journey.
- Recite a short mantra such as “Om Jai Jagdish Hare” and express gratitude before sleeping.
Benefits of Navratri Fasting
- Detoxification: Fasting helps cleanse the body by eliminating toxins, making you feel lighter and more energized.
- Spiritual Growth: The practice of fasting, combined with prayer and meditation, enhances spiritual awareness and brings inner peace.
- Mental Clarity: Avoiding heavy foods and focusing on sattvic meals improves mental clarity, focus, and concentration.
- Discipline and Self-Control: Fasting helps build discipline and strengthens your willpower.
Conclusion
Navratri fasting is a journey of devotion, discipline, and spiritual growth. By following the detailed do’s and don’ts, adhering to a structured daily routine, and engaging in regular prayer and meditation, you can experience both physical detoxification and spiritual fulfillment. This Navratri, embrace the fasting rituals with sincerity and let the blessings of Goddess Durga guide you toward a more peaceful and meaningful life.
Happy Navratri!
