Chaitra Navratri 2023 Spices to eat and avoid during fasting

It is clear that Navratri will begin on March 22, 2023 because of the importance of Udaya Tithi. And the Pratipada date of Chaitra month Navratri March 2023 will end on March 22, 2023 at 8:20 PM. Not all spices are permitted while you are fasting during Navratri. Here are the spices that you should avoid and the ones that you can eat during the nine days of fasting.

Chaitra Navratri is round the corner and Maa Durga devotees across the country are looking forward to celebrate the nine days of the celebrations with much enthusiasm and fervour. Navratri is usually celebrated four times a year in different months of the year as Shardiya Navratri, Chaitra Navratri, Magha Gupt Navratri and Ashadha Gupt Navratri. Although Shardiya Navratri and Chaitra Navratri are more commonly celebrated. Chaitra Navratri is generally celebrated during Chaitra's Shukla Paksha and falls in the month of March or April. This year Chaitra Navratri is starting on March 22 and the last day of the nine-day celebrations will conclude with Ram Navami on March 30.

Navratri fasts are observed by Maa Durga devotees across the country and during the fasts satvik foods are eaten whereas tamsik ones are avoided. Onion, garlic, wheat flour, rice, brinjal, mushroom are avoided during vrat while samvat ke chawal (banyard millet), kuttu ka ata (buckwheat flour), rajgira, sabudana, singhare ka ata (water chestnut flour), potatoes, sweet potato , bottle gourd (lauki), arbi, spinach, pumpkin, bottle gourd, carrots and cucumber are some of the foods that are permitted during fasting.

Not all foods are allowed during Navratri fast and one's favorite food may not find place in the Vrat ki Thali. However vrat-friendly foods can be made tasty with the use of certain spices.

Here is a list of spices that you can eat or avoid while fasting.

Spices to be avoided during Navratri

1. Garam masala
2. Coriander powder (dhania)
3. Turmeric (Haldi)
4. Asafoetida (hing)
5. Mustard
6. Fenugreek seeds (fenugreek seeds)

Spices that you can eat during Navratri

1. Cumin powder
2. Black pepper powder
3. Green cardamom
4. Cloves
5. Cinnamon
6. Ajwain
7. Black peppercorns
8. Kokum
9. Nutmeg

Regardless of what you are making, one must add sendha namak to their satvik meals instead of regular salt during Navratri fasting.

Instead of deep-fried and high-sugar stuff, one should try adding healthy fruits and vegetables to keep their energy levels high during the fast.

Chaitra Navratri 2023 Dos and Don’ts

Chaitra Navratri Dos

1. The themes of Navratri are spiritual consciousness, self-realization, self-control, and discipline. Therefore, doing contrition or penance is crucial.
2. During the Navratri celebration, Goddess Durga is worshipped nine times. As a result, the festival should show respect for the women nearby.
3. It is believed that conducting puja rituals during Navratri after a morning bath will bring good luck.
4. Always hold the Goddess “Akhand Jyot”. Get a nightlong one if you can’t keep Akhand Jyot.
5. Use rock salt instead of normal, refined salt.
6. Follow the Navratri colour plan.

Chaitra Navratri Don’ts

1. Avoid drinking booze. The Hindu religion forbids drinking alcohol during any religious ceremony or celebration, including Navratri
2. During Navratri, those who are fasting should refrain from getting their hair trimmed or shaving.
3. During these nine days, devotees should abstain from cutting their nails.
4. As tamasic foods, onions and garlic have the potential to be harmful to the body or psyche. One needs to eat a sattvic diet in order to remain focused for the nine days.
5. During this festival, people should abstain from all non-vegetarian foods, with the exception of garlic, onion, grains, and salt.
6. Eat less fried meals. Since eating fried food during these nine days of celebration undermines the goal of purification of the body and soul, it is best to avoid doing so.