Navaratri-Nine Nights of The Goddess

Navaratri- Nine Nights of the Goddess
"Nava-ratri" literally means "nine nights." This festival is observed twice a year, once in the beginning of summer and again at the onset of winter.
Significance of Navratri
During Navaratri, we invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of the universal mother, commonly referred to as "Durga," which literally means the remover of miseries of life. She is also referred to as "Devi" (goddess) or "Shakti" (energy or power). Every year the beginning of summer and the beginning of winter are two very important junctures of climatic change and solar influence. Due to the changes in the nature, the bodies and minds of people undergo a considerable change, and hence, we worship the divine power to bestow upon all of us enough potent powers to maintain our physical and mental balance.
Navratri Food Items

Kuttu (buckwheat) flour is finely powdered flour, has a brown color with dark flecks, very good source of iron and calcium, magnesium and dietary fiber. It is recommended for people with high cholesterol levels.
Singharas (Water Caltrops) are sweet and heavy, both. It also cures the phlegm in the body and eliminates inflammations, blood impurities and also help in curing diarrhea. It is very energetic and drives away tiredness and checks the flow of blood from the wounds. The juice extracted from water caltrops is very nutritious. Water caltrops are effective and natural assistance available to mothers for breast feeding their new born. Singhara flour is used to make sweets and puris; the flour is allowable during vrats, fasting. Water Caltrops are a healthy food option; an excellent source of potassium (350-360 mg), a very important mineral for human and an ideal fruit for diabetics. When taken in juice form, it can help ease problems of Nausea and Appetite in kids, detoxifying properties of water caltrops are considered to be good for person suffering from Jaundice, while in powdered form singhara is a remedy for cough, if taken twice a day with water.
Saboodana (sago) Khichdi, Vada, Kheer etc. are some favourite recipes in most Indian households, especially during Navratri fasts. Also known as tapioca pearls, sago is made from the starch extracted from the pith (center) of the sago palm stems. The commercial production of sago is in the shape of small globules or pearls. Saboodana is full of starch or carbohydrates and is great for a quick boost of energy, and hence often served in India for breaking fasts during religious festivals. Sago gruel is also great when you're sick because it gives you quick energy and is easy to digest. According to Ayurveda, sago and rice have a cooling effect on the system, hence sago gruel is given if you have excess bile (caused by excess body heat). Saboodana does not contain any minerals or vitamins and has very low amounts of calcium, iron, and fiber. 100 gms of Saboodana contains 351 kcal, 87 gms carbohydrate, 0.2 gm of fat and protein each. It does not have much nutritional value!
Fasting during Navaratri

On the festive occasion of Navratri, fast is observed by people for seven or eight days, depending upon when they want to conduct the Kanchika Pujan (when young girls are worshipped). The devotees, who have observed fast, would get up early in the morning, take bath and offer prayers to the deity. People follow a specific diet for Navratri, if they haven't observed a nirahar (waterless) fast. Most people nowadays perform partial fasting. They would abstain from non-vegetarian food, alcohol and those dishes that are made of common salt or any kind of spice. Let us look at the basis of fasting and the reasons behind observing fasts.
Fasting the Ayurvedic Way The ancient science of Ayurveda has spoken elaborately of the merits of fasting. According to this ancient discipline, fasting is an effective way to kindle the digestive fire and burn away accumulated toxins from the body and mind. It also eliminates gas, lightens the body, improves mental clarity, provides a clean tongue and fresh breath, and preserves overall health. However, it also does not recommend infrequent and long term fasting, that could deplete bodily tissues and create imbalance to the constitution. It favors regular and short term fasting, which could be on the same day each week or setting aside a few days each month, all depending on individual constitutions and cleansing requirements.
Advantages of fasting 1. Fasting Promotes detoxification Processed foods contain lots of additives. These additives may become toxins in the body. Some of them promote production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Most of these toxins are stored in fats. Fat is burnt during fasting, especially when it is prolonged. And the toxins are released. The liver, kidneys and other organs in the body are involved in detoxification. 2. Fasting Rests Digestive System During fasting, the digestive organs rest. The normal physiologic functions continue especially production of digestive secretions, but at reduced rates. This exercise helps to maintain balance of fluids in the body. Breakdown of food takes place at steady rates. Release of energy also follows a gradual pattern. Fasting however does not stop production of acids in the stomach. This is reason patients with peptic ulcer are advised to approach fasting with caution. Some experts believe they should not fast. 3. Fasting Resolves Inflammatory Response Some studies show that fasting promotes resolution of inflammatory diseases and allergies. Examples of such inflammatory diseases are rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis and skin diseases such as psoriasis. Some experts assert that fasting may promote healing of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis.
4. Fasting Reduces Blood Sugar Fasting increases breakdown of glucose so that the body can get energy. It reduces production of insulin. This rests the pancreas. Glucagon is produced to facilitate the breakdown of glucose. The outcome of fasting is a reduction in blood sugar. 5. Fasting Increases Fat breakdown The first response of the body to fasting is break down of glucose. When the store of glucose is exhausted, ketosis begins. This is break down of fats to release energy. The fats stored in kidney and muscles are broken down to release energy. 6. Fasting Corrects high blood Pressure Fasting is one of the non-drug methods of reducing blood pressure. It helps to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is clogging of arteries by fat particles. During fasting glucose and later, fat stores are used to produce energy. Metabolic rate is reduced during fasting. The fear-flight hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline are also reduced. This keeps the metabolic steady and within limits. The benefit is a reduction in blood pressure. 7. Fasting Promotes Weight loss Fasting promotes rapid weight loss. It reduces the store of fats in the body. However fasting is not a good weight loss strategy. Reducing fat and sugar intake, and increasing fruits and rest are better measures to achieve weight reduction. 8. Fasting Promotes Healthy diet It has been observed that fasting reduces craving for processed foods. It promotes desire for natural foods, especially water and fruits. This is one way fasting promote healthy lifestyle. 9. Fasting Boosts Immunity When an individual is on balanced diet in between fasts, this can boost immunity. Elimination of toxins and reduction in fat store also helps the body. When individuals take fruits to break a fast, they increase the body's store of essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A and E are good antioxidants readily available in fruits. They help to boost immunity.
10. Fasting May Help to Overcome Addictions Some authors show that fasting can help addicts reduce their cravings, for nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and other substance abuse. Although there are other regimens required to resolve addictions, fasting can play a role.
Side-effects of Fasting Short-Term Side Effects The American Cancer Society reports there are many short-term side effects of fasting. These include headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, low blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms. People who are fasting may experience an impaired ability to conduct certain tasks, such as operate machinery or drive a vehicle. Fasting could impair the body's ability to absorb certain medications or even alter drug interactions in the body. Long-Term Side Effects Fasting may have detrimental impacts in the long term as well. It can negatively affect many of the body's organs, including the liver and kidneys. Abstaining from eating could also be potentially dangerous in individuals who are already malnourished, for example, cancer patients. Dry Fasting While there are many methods of fasting, dry fasting -- or avoiding all fluid and food intake -- is particularly dangerous. The American Cancer Society reports the health impact of dry fasting varies largely based on the individual and context. Factors such as heat, heavy exertion and compromised health can make dry fasting lethal in just a matter of hours.
References
http://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/a/navaratri.htm http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/disadvantages-fasting-5546.html http://www.artofliving.org/fasting-during-navratri http://nishamadhulika.com/en/303-recipes-for-navratri.html http://www.vedicheritageinc.com/healthmedicine/174-saboodana

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Navaratri- Nine Nights of the Goddess

Navratri Food Items

Fasting during Navaratri

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