Chaitra Navratri 2025 begins on March 30th and concludes on April 6th. During these nine days, devotees worship Goddess Durga and observe a fast. Traditional practice dictates a sattvic diet, strictly prohibiting garlic and onions. But do you know the spiritual and mythological reasons behind this abstention? Let's explore why garlic and onions are avoided during Navratri.
Avoiding Tamasic Food
Hinduism classifies garlic and onions as tamasic foods. Tamasic foods are believed to increase anger, lust, ego, and distraction, hindering spiritual practices and devotion. During Navratri, individuals strive for self-discipline and pure conduct, leading to the avoidance of these foods.
Mythological Connection to Garlic and Onions
According to one belief, during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), when the nectar of immortality (Amrit) emerged, the demon Swarbhanu deceitfully consumed some. Lord Vishnu severed his head with the Sudarshan Chakra. It is believed that garlic and onions sprouted from the drops of his blood wherever they fell. Therefore, they are sometimes called "Rakshasi Bhojan" (demonic food), and their consumption is prohibited during religious observances.
What to Eat During the Fast?
During the Navratri fast, devotees consume sattvic foods such as fruits, milk, makhana (fox nuts), kuttu atta (buckwheat flour), singhara atta (water chestnut flour), and sama rice. Rock salt (sendha namak) is also used.
Chaitra Navratri 2025: Ghatasthapana Muhurat
This year, Chaitra Navratri commences on March 30th. The auspicious timings for Ghatasthapana are as follows:
First Muhurat: 6:13 AM to 10:22 AM
Abhijit Muhurat: 12:01 PM to 12:50 PM
Garlic and onions are avoided during Navratri because they are believed to stimulate tamasic tendencies and hinder spiritual practices. Religious beliefs suggest that a sattvic diet during the fast promotes self-purification and spiritual progress. Devotees, therefore, observe these nine days with complete devotion, worshipping Goddess Durga and adhering to the prescribed rules.
