New Delhi: Navaratri is regarded as one of the most auspicious festivals in the hindu religion. The elaborate festival is observed consecutively for nine-days, where devotees celebrate the festival with immense fervour and to mark the victory of good over evil.
Indians observe only two out of the four Navaratri festivals that occur throughout the year. The first Navaratri occurs during the spring season and is referred to as the Chaitra Navaratri according to the Hindu calendar. The second Navaratri that is observed by people falls during the autumn season and is known as Sharad Navaratri.
The Sharad navaratri commenced on Monday, September 26, 2022, this year in the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashwina, as per the Hindu calendar, and will end with Vijaydashami or Dusshera on Wednesday, October 05, 2022.
People often worship the deities and different goddesses associated with each day. They offer prayers, organise large scale dance performances, and observe intermittent fasting. However, there are certain dos and don’ts that need to be remembered when fasting during the festive season.
Here is a list of Dos and Don’ts to be remembered while observing a Navaratri fast:
- People observing a fast are expected to wake up early and take a holy bath
- Devotees observing the fast should practice celibacy
- Abstain from consuming alcoholic beverages or tobacco
- Refrain from clipping nails, getting haircuts, or shaving beards during the festival
- Avoid Mustard and Sesame oil but can use Peanut oil or Ghee as alternatives
- Avoid consuming processed salts. Use sea salt as alternative
- People who are fasting should avoid sporting or wearing leather products and black colours
- Children, Pregnant women, and people with severe illnesses should avoid fasting
- Devotees should avoid sleeping during daytime
- People can consume kuttu, singhara, sabudana, sama, milk, and fruits while observing intermittent fast
(Avya Mathur)