Navratri 2025: Foods to Eat During Fasting and the Sacred Kanya Bhoj

 

Navratri, the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, begins on March 30, 2025. During this time, devotees observe fasting, practice self-discipline, and engage in prayers to seek divine blessings. Food plays a significant role in Navratri, as fasting guidelines are deeply rooted in ancient traditions. Additionally, on Ashtami (April 6) or Navami (April 7), Kanya Bhoj (offering food to young girls) is performed to honour Goddess Durga in her divine forms.

Navratri Fasting Foods: Nourishment with Devotion

Fasting during Navratri is not just about abstaining from certain foods; it is a practice of cleansing both the body and mind. Here are the commonly consumed foods during these nine days:

1. Grains and Alternatives

• Samak rice (barnyard millet) – A wholesome substitute for regular rice.

• Rajgira (amaranth) flour and buckwheat flour – Used to make chapatis and puris.

• Singhara (water chestnut) flour – A popular base for fasting-friendly pancakes and snacks.

• Sabudana (sago) – Ideal for khichdi, vadas, and kheer.

2. Vegetables and Fruits

• Potatoes, sweet potatoes, bottle gourd, and pumpkin – Allowed in various forms.

• Tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots – Used in fruit chaat or light salads.

• Bananas, apples, papaya, and pomegranates – Consumed as snacks or smoothies.

3. Dairy and Protein Sources

• Milk, paneer, and curd (dahi) – Provide essential nutrients during fasting.

• Makhana (fox nuts) – A great snack, roasted or used in kheer.

• Peanuts and almonds – Used in ladoos, chikkis, or eaten as-is.

4. Spices and Condiments

• Sendha namak (rock salt) – The only salt permitted in fasting meals.

• Cumin, black pepper, green chili, and ginger – Used to flavour dishes without overpowering them.

• Lemon and fresh coriander – Enhance taste and digestion.

Prasadam for Kanya Bhoj on Ashtami or Navami

Kanya Pujan, performed on the eighth (Ashtami) or ninth (Navami) day of Navratri, is a sacred tradition where nine young girls (symbolizing the nine forms of Goddess Durga) are invited for a meal and blessed. The meal usually includes:

• Poori – Deep-fried, fluffy bread made from wheat flour.

• Kala Chana – Black chickpeas cooked with mild spices.

• Sooji Halwa – A rich, sweet dish made with semolina, sugar, ghee, and cardamom.

• Coconut and Fruits – Offered as prasad.

Some families also give gifts, bangles, or clothes to the girls as a token of reverence.

Religious Folklore Behind Navratri and Kanya Bhoj

Navratri celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. It is believed that the Goddess fought for nine days and nights before slaying the demon on the tenth day, celebrated as Vijayadashami.

Kanya Pujan is rooted in the legend of Devi Mahatmyam, which tells how Goddess Durga derived her strength from the energies of young girls. The tradition signifies that every girl child embodies divine power (Shakti) and should be honored and respected.

Navratri fasting is a holistic way to embrace purity, devotion, and discipline. The sacred ritual of Kanya Bhoj reinforces the importance of respecting and nourishing young girls as embodiments of the divine. Whether fasting or feasting, every aspect of Navratri food traditions brings us closer to spirituality and well-being.

May Goddess Durga bless you with health, happiness, and prosperity this Navratri!

Please check out my post on Navratri foods here.

Neerja Bhatnagar

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