Navratri has very important place in Hinduism. Devotees of Ma Durga observe fasting to show their love for her and to get blessed from Ma Durga. In every state of India, there is a different method to celebrate Navratri of Ma Durga. Also, some people do fasting Nirjala fasting (without food without water), some do fasting on only liquid things, some do fasting with fruits only, and some with special foods only for fast. But people have to follow some rules to do fast to be healthy. Here we discuss what they have to do in fast or what and when they have to eat.
8:00-8:30 AM :-Juice, milk, milkshake, fruits, salad
We have to take either milk or milkshake or juice in morning. Also, we can take a bowl full of fruits or salad. This is necessary for morning diet while fasting. People can offer fruits to Ma Durga and eat that fruits as a Prashad of Ma Durga.
11:00- 11:30 am :- Dry fruits, fruits, and coconut water
Coconut water covers the water requirement of the body. So, devotees who do fasting on a liquid only have to drink coconut water which helps to retain a healthy body. Also, they can take milkshakes especially banana shake which is very much helpful during fasting to give energy to our body. We can also take dry fruits as such or by roasted dry fruits which are beneficial to maintain body calories and give energy to the body.
1:00 – 1:30 pm :- Lemon water, juices, roasted fox nuts (makhani)
Fox nuts are rich in calcium so foxnuts are also benefited for our body. During the afternoon if we take lemon water it helps in digestion and also recover water requirement, as during afternoon we need more watery food and water for our body.
3:00- 3:30 pm :- Fruit yogurt, curd
Curd and yogurt is very helpful for our belly. It maintains our digestive system. Also, fruit yogurt tastes good and gives fruits nutrients too.
5:00-6:00 pm :- Wholemeal made by special fasting flour
During fast we can eat chestnut flour ( singhare ka atta), buckwheat flour (kuttu ka atta), barnyard millet flour ( sama ke chawal ka atta) and amaranth flour( rajgira ka atta). We can prepare many dishes by these flour like Poori, Prantha, Roti,and Pkodi.
Other then these we can prepare saboodane ki khichdi, pulao with sama ke chawal, alloo( potato) ki tikki, saboodane ki kheer also we can prepare vegetable with potato, shakrgandi( sweet potato), unripe banana and unripe papaya, tomato by using rock salt, red pepper, cumin seeds, black pepper, ginger, dry coriander, amchur powder, green chilly green coriander.
8:30 pm:- Glass of milk
The glass of milk in the night before sleeping is very helpful for everyone except lactose intolerant people. It helps in digestion and also give essential nutrients to our body and to retain good health.
