A guide to help you through next nine days.
The traditional Hindu festival of Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day festival which commences on March 28 and will culminate with Ram Navami on April 5. Marking the beginning of a new year for a lot of communities in the country, quite a lot of people observe fast during these nine days.
Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi also observes fast during both Chaitra Navratri as well as Sharad Navratri. For 18 days in a year, his diet only consists of fruits consumed once a day, and intake of lemon juice throughout the day. In 2012, PM Modi had mentioned in a blog that he has been fasting during Navratri for 35 years.
Whereas newly appointed CM of Uttar Pradesh, Aditya Nath Yogi also observe fast during Navratri. He eats fruits twice in the day and is on liquid diet throughout the remaining part of his day.
If you are wondering what you can or cannot eat during Navratri, here's the list that will help you:
1. Kuttu Atta (buckwheat flour): You can make khichdi, paratha, poori and halwa
2. Sabudana (sago/tapioca pearls): Have sabudana kheer, payasam, khichdi, vada
3. Sama Chawal (barnyard millet): Can be used to make idli, uttapam, dosa and puri for vrat
4. Herbs and spices: sendha namak (rock salt), cumin seeds (jeera), green cardamom, cloves, peppercorns, nutmeg, cinnamon and green chilli
5. Tea is allowed, but you cannot consume coffee.
6. Dairy products: milk, curd, paneer, butter, ghee, khoya and condensed milk
7. Onion and garlic are strictly not be consumed while you are observing fast.
8. Makhana (fox nuts): Make kheer or aloo makhana
9. Fruits and vegetables: All fruits are allowed. You can also coconut dishes or have coconut milk and water. You can opt for potatoes, sweet potatoes, suran, tomatoes, pumpkin, bananas and papaya.
10. Dry fruits: Almonds, pistachio, cashew nuts and kishmish are eaten during fast.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Chaitra Navratri 2017: Here's a list of food items you can you still eat during the 9-day fast")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}