Here's how you can make you Navratri fast tastier and healthier ...
India is ready to welcome Maa Durga tomorrow and the ambiance near you is enough to tell how eager people are to start the season of festivities. The word 'Navratri' translates into 'nine nights' in Sanskrit. These nine days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, who comes to take shelter in the homes of her loving devotees. During these nine auspicious days, devotees seek blessings and pray to the nine forms Goddess Durga also known as Navdurga.
It is said that "tamsik" food such as onion and garlic, along with all grains attract negative energies in our body. Hence, everyone should fast during these 9 days. However, there is certain food that you can consume during Navratri.
The Navratri fast starts on the first day and ends on the eight or ninth day, depending on the culture followed in the devotee's house. One can follow a whole fast or a partial one. In a whole fast, a devotee only eats "vrat" food while in a partial fast, a devotee consumes regular food, without onion and garlic, but only once a day, after sunset.
Navratri fasts have gone fancier and now you can easily find packed food just for these fasts. Many food gaints have also come up with food combos, puja special discounts during these fasts.
Here's how you can make you Navratri fast tastier and healthier ...
1. Kuttu Atta (buckwheat flour)
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You can make khichdi, paratha, poori and halwa from Kuttu Atta. They are easily available on any grocery shop. Do check the expiry date before buying the packed Kuttu atta.
2. Sabudana (sago/tapioca pearls)
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You can cook delicious sabudana kheer, payasam, khichdi, vada from Sabudana. Sabudana are available on any grocery shop. During Navratri many restuatrants and food outlets make special Sabudana dishes. So if you can cook by yourself, you can pay visit to such food outlets.
3. Sama Chawal (barnyard millet)
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This is a very popular and tasty vrat foof. Sama Chawal can be used to make idli, uttapam, dosa and puri for vrat. You can make khichdi from this chawal.
4. Makhana (fox nuts), Dry fruits
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Makhana can be used as a perfect vrat snacks. If you fasting yet working, you can roast them in ghee can eat while working in office. They can also be used for making heer or aloo makhana. Dry fruits are also the best vrat snacks. Almonds, pistachio, cashew nuts and kishmish are eaten during fast.
5. Fruits and vegetables
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All fruits are allowed. You can also coconut dishes or have coconut milk and water. You can opt for potatoes, sweet potatoes, suran, tomatoes, pumpkin, bananas and papaya.
