Navratri Fasting- Rules & Regulations

This year Sharad navratri begins from 1 November, 2016 and ends on 10 November, 2016. Navratri literally means nine nights and during this period, 9 forms of mother goddess or shakti or devi are worshiped throughout India. Out of 4 major navratri, only two navratri are celebrated. first ‘chaitra navratri‘ celebration is when summer is starting (march-april) and second ‘sharad navratri` when winter is starting (oct-nov). Navratri fasting rules varies little from community to community. the same fasting rules applies for fasts during the ekadashi, janmashtami and mahashivratri fasts.

Food allowed for Navratri Vrat or Fast

Flours & grains allowed for navratri fasting

1. singhare ka atta (water chestnut flour) – you can make singhare ki poori, paratha, pakoras, halwa .
2. kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour) – you can make paratha, pakoras, poori, halwa.
3. rajgira ka atta (amaranth flour) and rajgira (amaranth) – you can make pooris, vrat ka halwa, paratha, and thalipeeth. roasted rajgira can be had mixed with fruits, porridge and even ladoos.
4. sama ke chawal ka atta (barnyard millet flour) – can be used to make vrat ke uttapam, idli, dosa, pooris.
5. vrat ke chawal (barnyard millet) – you can make pulao, kheer, dalia, idli, dosa, upma or just plain steamed .
6. arrowroot flour or paniphal flour – used as a thickener and binding agent

Spices & herbs allowed for navratri fasting

1. cumin or cumin powder ( jeera or jeera powder )- you can add them to your curry or veggie dishes or make jeera aloo.
2. black pepper powder and rock salt (sendha namak)
4. green cardamom (chhoti illaichi), cloves (laung), black peppercorns (saboot kali mirch), cinnamon (dalchini) and nutmeg (jaiphal)
5. dry pomegranate seeds (anardana) – you can make chutney or raita or use it as a souring agent.
6. ginger – both fresh as well as dry, including dry ginger powder
7. green chilli or hari mirch and lemons.
8. ajwain or carom seeds
9. coriander (dhania) and mint leaves (pudina) and curry leaves (kadi patta) – some folks include and some don`t
10. dry mango powder (amchur powder), chaat masala, red chili powder – some folks include and some don`t
11. black salt (kala namak) – some folks include and some don`t