Now only a few days are left for Durga Puja to start. Navratri will start from 15th October. This nine-day festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm in India. ‘Navratri’ is derived from the use of two Sanskrit words Nav and Ratri, which represent ‘nine evenings’. As soon as Navratri arrives, devotees of Matarani start trying to please her. During these days, devotees remain engrossed in fasting and worship rituals to please the Mother Goddess.
According to religious beliefs, worshiping the nine forms of Mother Goddess during these nine days brings happiness and peace in the house and the Mother fulfills all the wishes of the devotees. There are some rules and beliefs regarding fasting for nine days of Navratri which are necessary to be followed.
Getting hair cut or beard shaving is not considered auspicious during Navratri. These activities should be avoided for nine days, but if you have to go to office then you can shave once a week. Not only this, nails should not be cut for nine days.
The nine days of Navratri are dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Devotees observe fast for nine days and worship the goddess. Therefore, all types of non-vegetarian food should be avoided during these nine days. Onion and garlic are considered pure in Hindu scriptures. Therefore it should not be consumed for these nine days.
According to Hindu scriptures, consumption of alcohol should be completely avoided during any sacred ceremony or festival. Therefore, alcohol should not be consumed during the nine days of Navratri puja.
People who observe fast or worship for nine days during Navratri should also avoid cutting lemon. Cutting lemon during Navratri is considered inauspicious. According to beliefs, cutting lemon is like a sacrifice, hence it should be avoided. You can buy lemon juice from outside and use it, but do not cut it at home.
During Navratri, we should also avoid using leather products like belts, bags and shoes. This is because leather is made from animal skin and is considered inauspicious. Apart from this, one should not wear dirty and unwashed clothes. Try to wear only clean washed clothes before worship.
Sewing should be avoided during Navratri. Keep your house clean. If possible, you should avoid wearing shoes and slippers at home.
If you are observing Navratri fast, then you should not consume grains and salt in your food for nine days and also consume fruits while sitting at one place.