Why do we not eat garlic during Navratri? What things do we keep in mind while eating and drinking
Why Onion And Garlic Should Be Avoided During Navratri: Chaitra Navratri, the favorite festival of the devotees of the goddess, is starting from March 30. The nine days of Navratri are divided into different categories according to the three basic qualities: Tamas, Rajas, and Sattva. This is the reason why people observe fasts and worship with full rituals for 9 days to get the blessings of the goddess. It is very important to follow the rules in the worship of Maa Durga; otherwise, the worship goes in vain.
People who observe fast during Navratri eat only fruits or grains that are eaten during fasting, but those who do not observe fast also stay away from meat, alcohol, and onion-garlic, etc. during these days. Know why garlic-onion is not eaten during Navratri.
What kind of food should be eaten during Navratri?
According to the scriptures, the mind and brain of a person start functioning according to the food they eat. Food is divided into three categories: first is Satvik, then Rajasik, and then comes Tamasik.
- Satvik – qualities like restraint, peace of mind, and purity
- Rajasic – qualities like passion and pleasure
- Tamasic – qualities like ego, anger, and destruction
Why don’t we eat garlic and onion during Navratri?
Garlic and onion are of a tamasic nature. Tamasic food creates a feeling of inertia, confusion, distraction, anger, lust, and ego in life. If garlic and onion are consumed, then during the 9 days of Navratri, a person is unable to control his senses and is unable to worship the Goddess with a pure heart; his worship does not bear fruit. This is the reason why eating food containing garlic and onion is prohibited during Navratri.
Demonic properties in garlic and onion
When Swarbhanu deceitfully consumed the nectar during Samudra Manthan, Shri Hari beheaded him. As soon as his head was cut off, the blood that fell from the demon’s mouth on the ground gave rise to onion and garlic. As soon as Swarbhanu’s head was cut off, it became Rahu-Ketu. It is said that eating garlic and onion makes Rahu-Ketu dominant, and one does not feel like doing spiritual work.
What to eat in Navratri
During the Navratri fast, you can eat sago, buckwheat flour, water chestnut flour, and sama chawal. Banana, grapes, orange, papaya, melon, and all kinds of fruits can be consumed during the fast. Keep in mind that if you are fasting, then consume these items only once.
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