Introduction

Navratri is just around the corner! Devotees are enthusiastically preparing for the worship of the Mother Goddess. According to religious beliefs, fasting and meditation done with a true heart takes a person closer to Goddess Durga. If you are also thinking of fasting on this Chaitra Navratri, then it is very important to keep some things in mind and take the resolution of the fast in the right way. Come, let us know every small and big information related to the resolution of fasting during Chaitra Navratri!

Importance and purpose of fasting

Fasting or fasting is a penance that purifies both body and soul. By observing a fast, we express our devotion towards the mother. The fast observed during Navratri has the following purpose:

• Spiritual Development:  Observing the fast helps in diverting attention from material pleasures and focusing on the path of devotion.
• Fulfillment of wishes:  It is believed that by fasting with true heart during Navratri, the wishes of the devotees are fulfilled.
• Peace and Prosperity:  Through fasting, peace comes in the mind and happiness and prosperity come in life.

Types of Fasting

Various types of fasts are observed during Navratri. Let us know about them:

• Nirjala Fast:  In this fast, both food and water are sacrificed for nine days. This fast is very difficult and should be observed only by physically healthy people.
• Fruit Fast:  In this fast, fruits are eaten only once a day. Apart from fruits, things made from milk, curd, sago, buckwheat or water chestnut flour can be eaten.
• One time fast:  In this, food or fruit is consumed only once a day.

How is the resolution of fasting taken?

The resolution to fast is taken in the morning while performing puja. First of all, light the Akhand Jyoti and establish the Kalash. After this, take a vessel filled with water in your hands, meditate on Maa Durga and say the resolution. If you wish, you can also take this resolution in Hindi or your regional language.

General rules for fasting during Navratri

1. Satvik Lifestyle:

• Do not consume alcohol, meat, liquor, tobacco, onion, garlic etc. during the fast.
• Eat satvik food like fruits, milk, curd, sago, buckwheat, water chestnut etc.
• Take bath at least twice a day and wear clean clothes.
• Stay away from negative emotions like anger, greed, attachment, jealousy etc.
• Speak the truth, donate and serve others.

2. Worship:

• Perform morning and evening puja every day.
• Chant Durga Saptashati, Chandi Path or other mantras.
• Perform Aarti of Goddess Durga and offer her food.
• You can also establish Kalash, worship the girl, do havan etc.

3. Physical and mental discipline:

• Maintain discipline in your daily routine during the fast.
• Wake up before sunrise and take bath and worship.
• Stay calm and meditate during the day.
• Stay away from negative thoughts and think positive.
• Eat fruits if necessary.

4. Rules for breaking the fast:

• Worship the girl on the ninth day of Navratri.
• Feed the girls and give them Dakshina.
• After this have your meal yourself.

While fasting, keep some special things in mind:

• If you have any health problems, consult a doctor before observing the fast.
• Pregnant or lactating women should not fast.
• If you feel very weak during the fast, you can eat fruits.
• Keep the fast as per your capacity.

Navratri fasting is not only a religious ritual but also a means of self-purification and spiritual progress. Keeping fast calms the mind, increases devotion and brings positive changes in life.

Rules of Prasad and food in Navratri:

There are some special rules regarding Prasad and food for the devotees observing fast during Navratri. By following these rules one gets the full results of the fast.

Rules of Prasad:

• Prasad should always be fresh and pure.
• Take special care of cleanliness while preparing Prasad.
• Do not use onion, garlic, meat, liquor etc. in Prasad.
• First offer the Prasad to Goddess Durga.
• After offering Bhog, distribute the Prasad among all the devotees.

Food rules:

• Eat satvik food during the fast.
• Include fruits, milk, curd, sago, buckwheat, water chestnut etc. in your diet.
• During the fast, eat food in small quantities and slowly.
• While eating, keep your mind calm and absorbed in devotion.
• You can drink some water after meals.

Some special rules:

• Reduce salt intake during fasting.
• Do not eat fried food during the fast.
• Do not drink tea, coffee, cold drinks etc. during the fast.
• If you feel very hungry during the fast, you can eat fruits.

Some special dishes of Prasad and food in Navratri:

• Fruits:  Apple, banana, grapes, pomegranate, orange, seasonal etc.
• Milk and curd:  Milk, curd, cheese, kheer, raita etc.
• Sabudana:  Sabudana Khichdi, Vada, Tikki etc.
• Buckwheat:  Buckwheat puri, vegetable, paratha etc.
• Water chestnut:  Water chestnut puri, vegetable, paratha etc.

By following these rules, you can observe the Navratri fast completely and get the blessings of Mother Durga.

Note: This is general information only. It is advisable to consult a doctor or spiritual leader before observing a fast.

Rules for breaking Navratri fast (Parayan):

The rituals for breaking the Navratri fast are also important. It is also called Parayan. Some special rules should be followed while doing Parayan.

Rules of Parayan:

1. Girl Worship:

• Worship the girl on the ninth day of Navratri.
• Call 9 girls home, wash their feet, apply tilak and feed them.
• Give dakshina and gifts to girls.

2. Time of breaking the fast:

• The fast should be broken on Dashami Tithi after sunrise and before the end of Dwadashi Tithi.
• Breaking the fast after Dwadashi tithi does not yield any results.

3. Method of breaking the fast:

• First of all, perform Aarti of Goddess Durga and apologize to her.
• After this, feed the girls.
• After bidding farewell to the girls, have your meal yourself.
• Include fruits, milk, curd, sago, buckwheat, water chestnut etc. in your diet.

4. Some special rules:

• While breaking the fast, eat food slowly and in small quantities.
• Do not eat heavy food immediately after breaking the fast.
• Do not drink excessive amount of water after breaking the fast.

Importance of breaking Navratri fast:

• The ritual of breaking the fast plays an important role in fulfilling the fruits of the fast.
• By worshiping girls, one gets special blessings of Mother Durga.
• Eating satvik food after breaking the fast purifies the body and mind.

Navratri fasting is important from religious and spiritual point of view. The rituals for breaking the fast are also important. By following these rules, you can observe the Navratri fast completely and get the blessings of Mother Durga.

Note: This is general information only. It is advisable to consult a doctor or spiritual leader before breaking the fast.

Things to keep in mind during fasting:

Fasting is an effective means of purifying the body and mind. It is important to keep some special things in mind while fasting, so that the full benefits of fasting can be obtained.

1. Health:

• If you have any health problems, consult a doctor before fasting.
• Pregnant or lactating women should not fast.
• Do not fast in case of weakness, fatigue, or other health problems.

2. Food:

• Eat light and healthy food during fasting.
• Consume fruits, milk, curd, sago, buckwheat, water chestnut etc.
• Eat food slowly and in small quantities.
• You can eat fruits if you feel very hungry.
• Do not drink excessive amount of water after meals.

3. Cleanliness:

• Take special care of cleanliness during fasting.
• Take bath, meditate and worship.
• Stay away from negative thoughts and think positive.
• Stay away from negative emotions like anger, greed, attachment, jealousy etc.

4. Comfort:

• Take adequate rest during fasting.
• Do not work too much and avoid fatigue.
• Do yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises.
• have a good sleep.

5. Precautions:

• Do not smoke, consume alcohol, and other intoxicants during fasting.
• Avoid exposure to extreme heat or extreme cold.
• Do not do too much physical exertion.
• If you feel any health problem, contact a doctor immediately.

By keeping these things in mind, you can make fasting safe and beneficial.

Note: This is general information only. It is advisable to consult a doctor or spiritual leader before fasting.

Devotees’ Experiences:

Fasting and worshiping during Navratri brings many positive changes in the lives of devotees. Here are the experiences of some devotees that will inspire you:

1. Health Benefits:

• Sunita : I have been observing Navratri fast for the last 5 years. Earlier I had many health problems, but by fasting my health has improved a lot.
• Ajay : I am a diabetic patient. Navratri fasting has helped control my blood sugar levels.

2. Wish fulfillment:

• Deepika : I was trying for marriage for a long time. After fasting during Navratri and worshiping the Mother Goddess, I got married to a good man.
• Rajesh : I was looking for a job. Navratri fasting helped me to get my dream job.

3. Spiritual progress:

• Monica : Navratri fasting has led me on the path of meditation and spirituality.
• Ravi : Fasting keeps my mind calm and I have started looking at life from a positive perspective.

4. Family Happiness:

• Neelam : Navratri fasting has brought happiness, peace and prosperity in my family.
• Amit : Earlier there used to be frequent fights in my family. But by observing fast the atmosphere at home has become positive and pleasant.

Conclusion:

It is clear from these experiences that Navratri fasting is not just a religious ritual but also an effective means of bringing positive changes in life. If you also want to bring changes in your life, then do not delay in taking the resolution of fasting this Chaitra Navratri!

Note: These are the experiences of only a few devotees. The effect of fasting may vary from person to person.

Have you ever observed Navratri fast? Share your experience in the comments below!

Best wishes for Chaitra Navratri! May Mother fulfill all your wishes!