Navratri is a prominent festival celebrated in India. This major Hindu festival celebrates the divine feminine, where the devotees worship Goddesses Durga. It is a time of spiritual cleansing and the marking of good over evil. While you indulge in the festivities and get in to the fasting days, it is important to eat clean and healthy. This will give you a divine feeling and also provide enough energy to indulge in the celebrations. This content will provide you with information on some of the best Navratri healthy snacks.

Cultural Significance of Navratri

The cultures and celebrations of Navratri in India vary from one region to another. In the Northern part, people practise fasting for 9 days and celebrate at the end of the fasting. There are different cultural events and rituals conducted throughout the nine nights where people get together and dance to the beats. People of all age groups love playing Garba, the traditional dance style. 

Navratri mainly falls during the months of October and November. People worship nine different forms of the deity during this time, thus the name “Navratri”. 

As the legend goes, “Mahishasura”, a devotee of Lord Shiva, got greedy and to show his power, he started killing the innocents. To stop him, the trinity gods, Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva combined their powers and created a female deity, Goddesses Durga, who destroyed Mahishasura for good. The fight went on for nine days and on the tenth day, Maa Durga won the battle against the demon and killed him. The tenth day is the day of celebration, called “Vijayadashami”. 

Navratri Festival In India

Navratri festival is celebrated pan India. However, the culture and practices may vary from one state to another. Below mentioned will give you a detailed idea about the celebration in different parts of India.

West Bengal, Assam, Orissa

Durga Puja or Navratri is in fact the most popular festival in this region of the country. Although people indulge in the festive spirit from the first day, the celebrations officially start on the 6th day.  You will witness large glittering pandals, delicious bhog, and people performing Garba, an authentic dance style during the festival nights. 

Maharashtra

For Maharashtrians, Navratri signifies ‘new beginnings’. Most people choose this period to perform important tasks like purchasing a property or making a new business deal. Married women in the region also practise a ritual called ‘saumangalyam’, where they apply haldi and kumkum to each other and gifts, beetle leaves, beetle nuts, and coconut. However, these days, people are also giving other gifts and delicacies when they exchange gifts. 

Gujrat

People worship Maa Ambe during Navratri. The festive evenings start with an aarti, which then continues with traditional dance styles and cultural events like dandiya, Garba, and more. People of all age groups and genders include in garba. 

How the South Indian States Celebrate Navratri

In the South Indian States, Navratri celebrations take place by worshipping Goddesses Durga, Saraswati, and Laxmi. All the states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala celebrate the festival with slight changes and significance. During the festive evenings, friends and families get together where everyone gets together and exchange gifts. 

About Navratri Fasting

The fasting rules may vary from one state to another in India. However, most people fast for nine days. You can check with your family members or elders in the family to know how they have been practising the festive fasting. Here you will find some basic information on the recipes that people consume during Navratri. These recipes are usually quick and easy to make. 

Sabudana Khichdi Recipe

Sabudana Khichdi is a prominent dish that people prepare during the festival. They are usually prepared using tapioca pearls commonly known as sabudana. It includes some basic ingredients such as potatoes, peanuts, and a few spices. It is also a gluten-free recipe that you can enjoy any time of the day. 

Rajgira Puri

Rajgira puri, which is also known as Amarnath puri is also usually consumed during the fast. These are deep-fried puffy breads made using amaranth flour, and boiled mashed potatoes. It is also a natural gluten-free and vegan dish that you can enjoy. This puri sabzi is also enjoyed during other festivals. 

Sabudana vada

Sabudana vada is also a famous deep fried crunchy snack that people relish during the Navratri fast. They are made using tapioca pearls, peanuts, potatoes and herbs. These snacks also come under the gluten free and vegan category. 

Apart from these, there are also many other sweet and savoury delicacies prepared and enjoyed during the festive days.  However, if you are looking for other snacks that can boost your health while also satisfying your cravings, you can find some of the best from Healthy Master.

Indulge in Guilt Free Snacks

First and foremost, it is very important to keep your body hydrated during the fasting days. Make sure you consume enough water and liquids to keep your body hydrated. This will provide you with enough energy and also flush out all the toxins from the body. When it comes to food, it is important to have light and healthy foods and snacks that can nourish your body inside out. 

When looking for premium healthy snacks, you will come across many options from baked beetroot chips and desi Indian snacks like khakhras to dry fruits and nuts and seeds. All the snacks provided by the brand are crafted to retain nutrients and flavour. They do not have any type of preservatives, artificial flavours, maida, or other hidden ingredients. The snacks are also baked rather than deep fried. 

Conclusion

Navratri is a festival to cleanse your body and spirit. As you perform pujas and rituals to clean your spiritual self, it is also important to indulge in foods and beverages that can clean your body and flush out toxins. Although you will have to choose specific foods and diets during the Navratri, it is also important to snack healthily throughout the year to maintain ideal health and wellness. 

As mentioned above, you can choose some of the most nutritious snacks provided by Healthy Master. There is a wide range of snacks and food products that are specially crafted to meet your needs. So, choose the best and enjoy holistic health this festive season. 

We wish you a Shubh Navratri.