One of the most important festivals for Hindu women across most parts of India, Hariyali Teej is celebrated every year in the month of Bhado. This year, Hariyali Teej will be celebrated on 18 August 2023, and women across Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand are busy preparing for the auspicious occasion. For most women, Hariyali Teej is synonymous to worshipping Lord Shiva and Parvati as well as observing 24 hours long fast to gather blessings from the gods.
But while the ritual and cultural significance of following Hariyali Teej fasting is immense, one also needs to consider other factors—and health is one of the most important considerations here. The Hariyali Teej fast may happen for a day, but the impact it can have on the health of a woman also needs to be evaluated. To do this and to help guide you through the health and nutrition aspects of Hariyali Teej, Slurrp caught up with Chirag Barjatya, a fitness entrepreneur with a background in nutrition and the founder of Project Fit Co (PFC Club). Here’s what he had to say.
Video Credit: YouTube/Kunal Kapur
The Health Impacts Of Hariyali Teej Fasting
“The most common thing I’ve observed is that people doing the fast get immense weakness because they are not used to fasting for 24 hours,” Barjatya explains. “Many people also observe the Nirjala fast, so most women also experience extreme dehydration. Indian housewives above the age of 40 years also face a lot of health issues because their blood sugar level and blood pressure levels can drop. Another issue is that women on regular medications avoid taking their regular dosage because that would involve drinking water or eating a meal.”
So, does this mean that following a fast this rigorous can have negative impacts on everybody? “There are only a handful of people I have come across who don’t face these issues and actually benefit from it or feel refreshed after fasting—and these are people who are generally fit and don’t have any pre-existing health issues,” Barjatya says. “For those who are fit, the Hariyali Teej fast is quite like a day-long Intermittent Fasting diet. So, the same pros and cons of Intermittent Fasting apply to them. But Hariyali Teej fasting is simply not for people who have blood sugar fluctuations, diabetes, blood pressure issues (both low and high blood pressure.”
Barjatya recommends that if you are on regular medication for a pre-existing condition, then consult your doctor before undertaking this fast. And, most importantly, listen to your own body’s cues and signals. “Because this is a religious festival with a lot of cultural significance, a lot of people force themselves to follow the fasting rules strictly even if their bodies aren’t prepared for it,” he says. “You have to understand that the Teej fast is not like a regular Intermittent Fasting of 16:8 pattern, where you are allowed to eat after 16 hours of fasting, like in the case of Karwa Chauth for example. If you are already habituated with ritual fasting or Intermittent Fasting, then it does become easier.”
How To Start And End Hariyali Teej Fast With Care
Apart from the long fasting duration, Barjatya mentions a few other factors that also come into play here and impact women’s health. “The psychology among most women keeping the Hariyali Teej fast is to eat too much before the fast begins simply because they won’t be eating anything for a day,” he says. “The Hariyali Teej fast usually begins before dawn, so most women tend to eat a lot of food at 3AM in the morning, then start fasting around 4AM and don’t eat anything until dawn the next day. Further, the meal that they do consume between the unusual hours of 3-4AM usually consists of oily and carb-heavy Indian dishes like Puri Sabji, fried sweets and snacks.”
Barjatya suggests that this overeating at pre-dawn can cause acidity, indigestion, stomach ache and other digestive issues throughout the day—and you can’t even take any medication for it without drinking water or breaking the fast. “Similarly, when they break the fast, they again do so with a huge Indian meal after starving for a day,” he adds. “This can be very taxing on the digestive system, so before and after the fast, eat moderate meals. Eat a few bites of traditional dishes for the ritual aspect of it and to honour the Prasad, but don’t overindulge in too much sugar and fried food immediately. Go for healthy meals before and after.”
This apart, is there anything else that women following this fast should keep in mind? Barjatya says yes. “A very important thing for women of all ages to note here is that during the Hariyali Teej fast, try not to engage in all the household chores you do every day,” he says. “You are fasting, so your body is simply not generating the energy required to perform all these tasks and it will inevitably cause weakness. So, rest and relax, focus on puja and worshipping and you will be fine.”
Here are a few critical do’s and don’ts recommended by Barjatya for Hariyali Teej fasting that women of all ages should keep in mind.
DO’S
1. Before the fast begins, eat a moderate and balanced meal consisting of healthy and light dishes instead of deep-fried and rich ones.
2. If you are thirsty and feeling dehydrated or weak, don’t force yourself and drink some water. Nirjala fasting is not compulsory, so follow your body’s cues.
3. Rest up and give your body the time to conserve energy. This will help you cope with weakness in all forms.
4. If you are feeling too unwell or weak by afternoon or evening, consider breaking the fast at sundown or after the moon comes out. Do consult a doctor in case of an emergency.
5. Break the Hariyali Teej fast with a light meal which can help your body get out of starvation mode safely. Eat a heavier meal later based on the fact that your digestive system is working fine again.
DON’TS
1. If you have a pre-existing condition like diabetes, hypertension, hypotension or are on a regular medication regime for any other health issue, avoid the Hariyali Teej fast or consult your doctor before proceeding.
2. If you are pregnant, Hariyali Teej fasting is a big no-no for you. You and your baby need regular nutrition during pregnancy and your body is simply not in a state to endure 24 hours without food.
3. If you are a new mother and are breastfeeding, then avoid the Hariyali Teej fast. Going without food and water for a whole day is likely to impact your ability to breastfeed properly and cause even more weakness.
4. Pre-adolescent and teenage girls (below 16 years of age) should avoid keeping the Hariyali Teej fast. This is their age to be active and they need the nutrition for it too. Fasting for 24 hours will weaken them further.
5. Don’t be overactive during the fasting period. Because you aren’t eating like you regularly do, being active will lead to low energy levels and weakness.