Last Updated:March 30, 2025, 07:00 IST

Chaitra Navratri, from March 30th to April 7th, honours Goddess Durga’s nine forms. Devotees fast, avoiding non-veg food, garlic, onions, and junk food, consuming fruits and dairy.

Chaitra Navratri Fasting Rules: Devotees are preparing for the holy festival of Chaitra Navratri, observed from March 30th to April 7th, this year. The auspicious nine-day period includes festivals joy, blessings and many heartfelt rituals. The Hindus celebrate this vibrant festival with great fervour and devotion.

In various regions of the country, Navratri is observed to commemorate the nine holy forms of Goddess Durga, which are honoured on this colourful festival.

The devotees celebrate rituals, keep fast, and pray to the Goddess during these nine days. However, keeping fast isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It takes immense devotion and patience during the day.

ALSO READ: Fasting For 9 Days Of Navratri? Follow These 5 Diet Tips To Stay Healthy And Energised

In addition to consuming specific foods during fasting, devotees refrain from eating non-vegetarian meals like meat, poultry, etc. If you are planning to keep fasts this Navratri, here are some fasting rules including what to eat and avoid.

Chaitra Navratri 2025: Foods To Eat

1. When preparing your food to open the fast, use sendha namak or rock salt instead of normal salt.
2. Fruits can be consumed during the Navratri fast.
3. Cumin seeds, cumin powder, green cardamom, black pepper powder, cloves, ajwain, cinnamon, and black peppercorns are among the spices you can eat during Navratri.
4. Vegetables that devotees can consume are spinach, cucumber, pumpkin, bottled gourd, potatoes, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and arbi.
5. During Navratri, one can eat milk and dairy products including ghee, curd, paneer, cottage cheese, and khoya.
6. People can also consume makhanas, coconut or coconut milk, Sonth ki Chutney, melon seeds and peanuts.

Chaitra Navratri 2025: Foods To Avoid

1. Both garlic and onions are tamasic foods that are believed to be bad for the body and mind.
2. During these nine days, one must follow a sattvic diet.
3. During Navratri, non-vegetarian meals like meat, fish, poultry, and eggs are strictly prohibited.
4. People should also stay away from fast meals and junk food.
5. Non-vegetarian meals should be avoided even by those who are unable to keep the fast.
6. Smoking and drinking are also prohibited throughout the festivities.
7. When fasting, devotees should abstain from consuming rice, beans, lentils, whole wheat, semolina, and maise flour.
8. One should make sure to avoid alcohol consumption throughout the nine auspicious days of Chaitra Navratri.

While some devotees observe the Navratri fasts for all nine days, some keep the first two or the last two. Many aren’t aware that apart from religious reasons, there are many scientific benefits of keeping fast.