8 Fasting Food you can Eat in the Gupt Navratri

Gupt Navratri, also known as “secret Navratri,” is a period of nine days during which devotees of the Hindu goddess Shakti observe a fast and perform special rituals and puja (worship) to honor her. This period is not as widely celebrated as the more well-known Navratri, which takes place in the months of September or October, and usually involves public celebrations, including dance and music performances. This year this period starts fron January 22, 2023 and ends on January 30, 2023.

It is typically held during the Ashadha or Magha month, as per Hindu lunar calendar, which usually falls in June or July.

During Gupt Navratri, devotees observe a fast for the duration of the festival, and often perform special puja and rituals to honor the goddess. This may include reciting mantras and prayers, offering flowers and other offerings, and lighting diyas (lamps). Many devotees also choose to perform hawan, a type of purification ritual involving the burning of sacred herbs and the recitation of mantras, as well as reading of the Devi Bhagavatam, a Hindu text that tells the story of the goddess Shakti.

Many people abstain from eating grains, legumes, and certain vegetables in these Gupt Navratri, and instead consume foods that are considered to be “fasting foods.” These foods are typically high in protein and nutrients, and are easy to digest. Some popular fasting dishes which you can have in these Gupt Navratri include:

1. Sabudana khichdi: A dish made from tapioca pearls, potatoes, and peanuts, often served with yogurt or chutney.
2. Kuttu ki puri: Fried flatbread made from kuttu flour, a type of buckwheat flour, often served with a sabzi or potato curry.
3. Singhara ki poori: Fried poori made from singhara flour, a type of water chestnut flour, often served with a sabzi or potato curry.
4. Rajgira paratha: A type of flatbread made from rajgira flour, which is gluten-free, often served with a sabzi or potato curry.
5. Sama ke chawal ki khichdi: A dish made from sama ke chawal (also known as barnyard millet), often served with yogurt or chutney.
6. Dahi vada: Lentil dumplings soaked in yogurt and topped with tamarind chutney, cumin powder and red chili powder.
7. Kachoris: Fried pastry made from singhara flour or makkai flour (corn flour) filled with a mixture of lentils, spices and herbs.
8. Aloo Tikki: Fried patties made of boiled and mashed potatoes, stuffed with peas and spices.

Gupt Navratri is considered to be a more personal and intimate observance, and is typically held in the privacy of one’s home or at a temple. It is believed to be a particularly auspicious time for spiritual practice, as well as for the fulfillment of wishes and the attainment of blessings from the goddess.

It is important to note that the observance of Gupt Navratri may vary depending on the community and the individual, and that it is not considered a widely celebrated festival.