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Navratri is already here, and we are unable to hold our excitement any further. The nine-day festival celebrates and honours the nine forms of Goddess Durga. People all year round wait to commemorate this auspicious festival. Devotees engage in fasting, prayers, and various rituals, paying homage to the different manifestations of the goddess. During Sharad Navratri, colourful and elaborate processions, known as Garba and Dandiya dances, are a common sight, filled with music and revelry. The festival signifies the triumph of good over evil and the renewal of spiritual energy, making it a significant cultural event for millions of people across India and around the world.
During these nine days, people observe fasts, or vrat. There are a lot of restrictions that go into preparing the vrat food. Instead of rice, wheat, onion, garlic, and certain spices, foods are replaced by kuttu ka atta, sabudana, and veggies like potatoes and lauki. However, have you ever wondered why garlic and onions are not consumed during these nine vrat days? This is simply because they follow the Sattvik diet these nine days.
Why Do Devotees Adopt Sattvik Diet During Navratri?
During Navratri, devotees, especially Hindus, are constricted to eating only the Sattvik diet. Sattvik food contributes to healing and is easy to digest. Now, what is Satvik food?
It revolves around the principle of purity and harmony, focusing on the consumption of foods that promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Sattvik foods are predominantly vegetarian and consist of fresh, natural ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and dairy products. They are prepared without the use of pungent spices, onions, garlic, or any intoxicants. Sattvik cuisine aims to maintain the balance of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) in the body, which is integral to Ayurvedic principles. It emphasises the importance of mindfulness in eating, with an emphasis on fresh, unprocessed, and locally sourced ingredients.
Devotees are forbidden to eat the Raajasic and Taamasic diets during these nine days. These two categories of food are not fresh and are pretty hard to digest. Rajasic foods are those that are believed to stimulate the mind and body. These foods are typically characterised by their strong flavours, excessive spices, and high levels of stimulation. Raajasic foods often include caffeinated beverages, heavily spiced dishes, fried foods, and overly salty or sweet items. While they can offer a temporary burst of energy and heightened alertness, excessive consumption can lead to restlessness, irritability, and an imbalanced state of mind.
On the other hand, Taamasic foods are considered heavy and dulling to the mind. These foods are often processed, overcooked, or contain artificial additives. Taamasic items may include highly processed and junk foods, alcohol, and certain types of meat. Overindulgence in Tamasic foods is believed to lead to lethargy, drowsiness, and a clouded mental state.
Why Must You Avoid Onion And Garlic During Navratri?
The exclusion of onions and garlic from the diet during Navratri is a practice deeply rooted in Hindu traditions and cultural beliefs. Navratri is a time when many people observe fasts and engage in spiritual and religious practices, seeking to purify their minds and bodies. Onion and garlic, with their strong and pungent flavours, are believed to be Raajasic in nature, according to Ayurveda and Vedic principles. Rajasic foods, like onion and garlic, are considered to be stimulating and may cause restlessness or excessive activity of the mind, which can hinder the meditative and contemplative aspects of Navra
