Chaitra Navratri, one of the biggest Indian festivals, is being observed with great fervour across the nation.
Also called Vasant Navratri, due to its celebration during the spring season in India, the nine-day festival started on April 2, 2022, and will end on April 11, 2022.
Considered one of the most auspicious festivals of India, Chaitra Navratri heightens one’s spiritual credence by observing a fast for nine consecutive days while worshipping nine different forms of Goddess Durga.
In Hinduism, fasting is believed to be a way to pay your gratitude to the Goddess who is the epitome of power, determination, wisdom, strength and purity.
According to the
Hindu Vedas and Shastras, one must avoid eating meat, grains, alcohol, onion, garlic and stale foods that attract negative energies during the nine days.
Ingredients like kuttu atta, singhara atta, fresh vegetables, fruit, milk products and dry fruits are mostly consumed on these auspicious days.
People observe fast according to their family traditions. While some alter grains from their diet, some observe the nine days fast by following a liquid diet only.
Delicacies such as Sabudana khichdi, fruit chaat, kheer and kuttu ki poori are some of the most popular dishes cooked during the Navratri festivities.
1. Sabudana Khichdi
Human bodies tend to have low immunity during seasonal changes. So, dishes prepared with Sabudana as a key ingredient could prove to be beneficial as it is a staple food rich in protein and fibres and can also help in improving digestion.
