Shardiya Navratri 2023: Vrat Fasting Rules, Tips For Pregnant Women — Dos & Don'ts

Fasts are primarily observed during the 9-day festivities in order to worship and obtain Goddess Durga's blessings. So, let us go over the dos and don'ts of the same.

Devotees seen offering prayers at Delhi's Jhandewalan Temple (Representational Image)

Source : Getty Images

Shardiya Navratri 2023: The Hindu community's most auspicious festival, Navratri, has arrived. Maa Durga devotees celebrate the nine-day auspicious festival with great love and enthusiasm. This festival, which represents the triumph of good over evil, is celebrated with grandeur and zeal throughout the country. Devotees worship Goddess Durga's nine different avatars while fasting to seek her blessings.

Sharad Navratri, Chaitra Navratri, Magha Navratri, and Ashadha Gupta Navratri are celebrated four times a year. However, two are more widely observed by devotees. The first is Chaitra Navratri, which is celebrated in the spring months of March or April. The second is known as Sharad Navratri, and it takes place between October and November.

This year, Sharad Navratri will be observed from October 15 to October 23, culminating in Dussehra. During this festival, devotees fast for nine days and engage in various rituals, including Navratri Ghatsthapana, Durga Aarti, Durga Chalisa recitations, Durga Saptashathi Path, Kanya Puja, and lively Garba and Dandiya nights.

Now, amidst the 9-day festivities, fasts are primarily observed in the right way to worship and attain Goddess Durga’s blessings. So, let us walk you through the dos and don’ts that one must follow while observing the fast.

Navratri Fasting Rules 2023: Dos And Don’ts

1. Devotees should wake up early and take a holy bath during the 9-day festivities.

2. Devotees should avoid consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and non-vegetarian food during the nine-day fast.

3. One should abstain from clipping nails, getting a haircut, or shaving their beard during fasting for Navratri.

4. As part of the fast, devotees can consume kuttu, singhara, sama, milk, sabudana, potatoes, and fruits to boost their energy.

5. Mustard oil and sesame must be refrained during fasting for Navratri. However, one can use peanut oil or ghee as an alternative.

6. Consumption of processed salt must be avoided, whereas you can use rock salt or sendha namak for your Navratri recipes.

7. Devotees should keep in mind not to sleep during the day while observing fasts.

8. Devotees performing the puja or observing the fast should always wear fresh and clean clothes while performing the rituals of the festival and should not sport clothes or accessories made of leather. Additionally, they should refrain from wearing black clothes.

9. Children, pregnant women, or people with severe illnesses should avoid keeping the vrat.

10. During these nine days of Navratri, offer prayers to the nine different forms of Maa Durga and be kind and compassionate.

As the festival of Sharad Navratri approaches, following these fasting rules and guidelines will assist devotees in observing the festival with devotion and seeking the blessings of Goddess Durga. During this special occasion, this time-honored tradition brings families and communities together, fostering a sense of spirituality and cultural unity.