During the time of Navratri, devotees have to strictly follow rituals and rules. There are restrictions on food and living that they have to follow consistently for nine days. The days are filled with various rituals that make it one of the difficult offerings to the Goddess Parvati. Navratri is one of the most important festivals celebrated in the month of Chaitra ranging from the northern parts to other corners of India. According to the customs restriction some food items are necessary to keep the entire rituals to continue uninterrupted and completed successfully.

Hindu religion does not allow to have non-vegetarian food during puja or offering to Devi Durga or any other God. Eggs, meats, and chicken are strictly restricted to be taken during the nine days of puja.

Apart from it, few vegetables should not be allowed to be taken which can lead to disturbances and obstacles.

Nine days of Navratri and food not to be taken

Fasting throughout the nine days of Navratri is a difficult task. Each day the devotees have their bath and then attend the pujas ceremonies. Until the puja completes they do not have food. Fasting for long hours is challenging which requires maintaining good health and devotion both together.

Foods are categorized as per their place of growth. Vegetables that grow underground are not taken for the nine days period. Such as onions and garlic that are underground rooted are not consumed.  Both vegetables are considered non-vegetarian food items.

The taking of garlic and onions cooked may lead to bloats and gas in the stomach. It increases the temperature of the body leading to uneasy feelings, anger, and other related issues.

Brinjal and Potatoes

Two vegetables are easy to cook and also favorite for many people. For those people, they have to divert towards fruits, as brinjal may cause inflammation on excessive intake. While potatoes grow underground that is strictly restricted from eating. Sweet potatoes are consumed during Navratri.

Citric enriched such as tomatoes and tamarind

Vegetables such as tomatoes and tamarind are rich in citrous acid. It is good for health but when taken on an empty stomach can lead to ingestion and acidic conditions. Sour-based food items are not suitable for the long-term process and days of fasting. According to the customs, it is not allowed to take sour items as it may mislead a person into diverting their minds.

Never consume food outside

When devotees are completely dedicated to the puja of Navratri, it is essential to take food at home. Having food at home ensures that the items are specifically made from the required items. Often the food outside made as Prasad or food for Vrat or fasting taken may lead to indigestion. It can lead to an interrupt in your Navratri puja.

To enjoy the festivities of the nine days of Navratri it is essential to consume nutritious food. Avoiding the above-mentioned food can help to complete the fasting and offering to Devi Durga without any obstacles.

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Navratri is the widely observed festival in India where goddess Durga, the symbol of wisdom and purity is worshipped the nationwide.

It is the celebration of good being triumphant over evil and the festival spans for nine days when the millennia soak in festive hues with bright clothing and a spirited heart. The key highlight of the festival is ‘Garba’, the traditional dance which is performed throughout the nine days by the devotees. Garba is symbolic of Lord Krisna indulging in merriment with his Gopis in the sacred land of Vrindavan.

In the due course of Navratri, Goddess Durga and her nine avatars are worshipped with utmost devotion. It is said that worshipping the goddess insulates the lives of devotees against all kinds of evil and they are sorted for a prosperous future.

The childless seek blessings of goddess to have a child, the unemployed seek her blessings to be placed in his dream job, the ailing seek her blessings for riddance from the diseases and goddess never disappoints her devotees, it is said.

However, this one begs a question as to why there are nine shades of Navratri. Well, perhaps because the nine avatars of the goddess being worshipped during the nine days time is the answer for the question. We will hereby discuss about the nine avatars of the goddess and why they are so significant:

Mata Shailaputri:

She is first among the avatars who are worshipped. The devotees wear yellow in the day she is worshipped. This day is going to fall on 10th October, 2018.

Mata Brahmacharini:

She is the second in the nine avatars of the goddess who is worshipped in the second day of Navratri. Her devotees wear the color green in the day she is worshipped. The day is going to fall on 11th October, 2018 .

Mata Chandraghanta:

Mata Chandraghanta is the third among the nine avatars who is worshipped during the third day of Navratri. Her devotees wear Grey in the day she is worshipped. This avatar of the goddess symbolizes serenity, peace, beauty and bravery. The day will fall on 11th October, 2018.

Mata Kushmanda:

Kushmanda Mata is the fourth avatar among the nine avatars of goddess durga who is worshipped during the fourth day of Navtarti. She is known to be the creator of the Universe and the color her devotees wear at the day she is worshipped is Orange. This day will fall on 12th October, 2018.

Skandamata:

Skandamata is known to be the main face of Maa Durga who has slain the demons. The day she is worshipped is called Panchami and her devotees wear white at the day she is worshipped. This day will fall on 13th October, 2018.

Mata Katyayani:

She is the sixth avatar of goddess Durga hence worshipped in the sixth day of Navratri. Her ardent devotees wear Red as this is the color that symbolizes her. This day will fall on 14th October, 2018.

Mata Kaalratri:

She is the seventh avatar of goddess Durga hence worshipped in the seventh day of Navratri. She is believed to shield her devotes from all sorts of evils. She ushers them into happiness and freedom as they worship her. The day she is worshipped is called Saptami and her devotees wear the color blue on this day. It will fall on the 15th October, 2018.

Mata Mahagauri:

Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri and her color is Pink. She is said to purify her devotees of their sins. This day will fall on 16th October, 2018.

Mata Siddhidatri:

She is worshipped in the ninth day of Navratri as for being the ninth avatar of goddess Durga. She is believed to have supernatural powers and her day is an auspicious day for the female devotees. Purple is the color of Mata Siddhidatri. This day will fall on 17th October, 2018.

These are the nine consecutive days in the 2018 calendar when the nine avatars of goddess Durga will be worshipped. This is the reason why Navratri has nine shades.

The post The Nine Shades of Navratri appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

Navratri is just around the corner and you can already feel the festive whiff in the air.

With large elephant processions carried out in Karnataka to observing Durga Puja in West Bengal and Bihar, Navratri is celebrated in different ways in different states of India.

Just like Maharashtra, Gujarat celebrates the festival of Navratri by playing Garba or Dandiya Raas.

Ever wondered why Dandiya Raas is done during Navratri?

Garba or Dandiya Raas is one among the traditional forms of dance which was earlier observed during Navratri in the state of Gujarat. However, now this dance form has become popular and is observed in different states of India. Now you can see every locality organizing Dandiya Raas of Garba in their areas.

Dandiya Raas is basically done in groups and is done for 9 long days.  The Dandiya which is used while dancing is believed to be a dramatization of the fight between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura. Earlier, Dandiya Raas was also known as “The Sword Dance” which actually represents the sword of Goddess Durga.

The modern-day Dandiya Raas is a lot of fun as it is a fascinating mix of traditional and modern traditions. Dandiya Raas is done in Goddess Durga’s honor. The way you play Garba actually stages the intense fight between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura. The word “Raas” can be traced back to the time of Lord Krishna, where women used to gather around Lord Krishna and do Raas-Leela.

Wondering what is the difference between Dandiya Raas and Garba?

Many of them believe Dandiya Raas and Garba are same, but the fact is something else. The main difference between Dandiya Raas and Garba is Dandiya Raas is done with Dandiya or the sticks while Garba involves various feet and hand movements.  The circular moments and the dance steps of Dandiya Raas are much more difficult as compared to Garba. As Dandiya Raas involves the use of sticks, a person should be careful while playing.

However, now people do the Garba with Dandiya but it has somehow turned to be a freestyle dancing. Disco beats and remixes are quite popular while Dandiya Raas these days but you can still enjoy traditional songs and music at some places in Gujarat.

Although Dandiya Raas is a traditional practice followed during Navratri, but now it has become a glam event filled with the best of fashion, dance moves, food, and makeup.  The charm of traditional Dandiya Raas has somewhere lost in between the glamour of fashion and other impressing elements. Not to forget, earlier Dandiya Raas was a customary way to share happiness together but it has now become more of a commercial way.

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