Sharadiya Navratri, the holy festival, has begun. The nine forms of Maa Durga are the focus of this nine-day festival, which symbolizes faith, devotion, and restraint. These days, some people observe a nine-day fast and engage in special worship of Maa Durga.
People avoid not just food and drink during this period, but also numerous other items. Apart from religious beliefs, this abstinence holds significance from a traditional perspective. Hinduism holds the belief that certain actions, even if unintentional, should not occur during the nine days of Navratri. Let us know about these things.
Do not consume non-vegetarian food and alcohol.
Navaratri is a celebration of restraint and sadhana. One should stay away from toxic things these days. Religious belief prohibits the consumption of meat, fish, and alcohol during the nine days of Navratri. Those who keep fast during Navratri consume only satvik and pure food. Even if you do not keep fast, you should still stay away from non-vegetarian food and alcohol during these nine days.
Consumption of onion and garlic is prohibited.
From a religious point of view, onion and garlic are categorized as tamasic food items. Therefore, it is not considered appropriate to consume them during Navratri. Despite religious beliefs prohibiting their consumption, some individuals defy this belief and continue to consume onion and garlic during Navratri.
Do not create an atmosphere of discord in the house.
The Navratri festival is filled with devotion and worship. These days, the atmosphere of the house should be peaceful and religious, so that the flow of positive energy remains. We should always maintain an atmosphere of peace and harmony in the house, but we should take extra care during Navratri. These days, one should not use the wrong words with anyone, because this spoils the atmosphere of the house and reduces the joy of the festival.
Do not insult elders.
Respect for elders is a prerequisite for happiness in any household. Especially during Navratri, insulting elders is considered forbidden. Religion teaches us to always respect elders and follow their teachings. When elders give blessings, positivity comes into life.
Physical and mental restraint is also important.
Navratri is not only a festival of devotion, but also of physical and mental restraint. These days, physical restraint is just as important as observing restraint in eating and drinking. During Navratri, one should avoid physical contact and avoid obscene activities.
Do not be negligent when worshipping.
The Navratri festival is a worship festival. Even if you do not have a special interest in worship throughout the year, don’t forget to worship during these nine days. If you are unable to fast for the full nine days of Navratri, you should still worship Maa Durga after waking up in the morning and taking a bath, among other things. Aside from that, if you are not fasting, eat only pure and vegetarian food.
Navaratri is not only a festival of worship, but it is also a time to teach discipline and restraint in life. In these nine days, we can achieve physical and mental purity through restrained conduct and Satvik food. From a religious point of view, it is considered very important to follow all these things so that we can get the blessings of Goddess Durga.
