Recipes for Auspicious Fasting Days

March 4, 2016mayurisjikoni

RECIPES FOR AUSPICIOUS FASTING DAYS

Recipes for Auspicious Fasting Days are usually different from other fasting day recipes. For example if one fasts every Monday or say every Thursday, rather than omitting certain groups of food, only one meal is consumed. Generally, many communities in India abstain from grains, cereals, pulses and certain vegetables during the Ekadashi, Navratri, Shivratri and Adhik Maas Fasting Days.

Eating meat, fish or any non vegetarian food is strictly prohibited during the fasting days. Also people refrain from cooking with onion and garlic during this time.

However, there are some communities in India that don’t follow this gluten free, no beans, pulses, and certain vegetables rule. Nevertheless, on those days they will not cook meat, fish, eggs, onion, garlic. In other words a Satvic Meal is prepared.

What is Ekadashi Fasting?

Also known as Agheeyaras, Ekadashi in Sanskrit is 11. Hence, the fasting occurs every 11th day of the lunar calendar.As a result, in a month there would be two 11th days. Therefore, on the first 11th the moon is waxing or growing. Meanwhile, the second half the moon is waning or shrinking. Therefore, these two days are considered spiritually important by the Hindus. Subsequently these days are observed by full or partial fasting.

If one is able to fast without any intake of food, they should. If not, many fast by consuming only fruit and milk/yogurt. But many people have one meal that does not comprise of any grains, pulses, cereals and certain vegetables.

What Is Navratri?

Did you know that Navratri is celebrated 5 times in a year? I didn’t know that.

The first is Vasanta/Chaitra Navratri (around March or April),
Ashad Navratri (around June or July),
Sharad Navratri (around Sept or Oct), this is the one I celebrate.
Pausha Navratri (around Dec or Jan) and
Magha Navratri (around Jan or Feb).

In short, Nav means nine and Ratri means nights. Therefore, Nine nights are celebrated in the name of Goddess Durga. During these 9 nines and 10 days many devotees of Durga Ma observe fasting.

Different Communities or People Observe Navratri Fasting In Different Ways:
Some consume one meal of fruits and milk only
A few consume normal vegetarian meals but without any salt, onion and garlic.
Many fast by not consuming grains,pulses, beans, cereals and certain vegetables.
Quite a few follow the tradition of having only one meal during Navratri.

Maha Shivratri Fasting

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu Festival celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva. It also is refers to the night that Shivji performed the Tandava dance. Besides the chanting of mantra, pooja and bhajan, many fast to observe this solemn day. Same rules of food that can be eaten apply here.

Adhik Maas Fasting

Adhik Maas is an extra month in the Hindu Calendar that is inserted to keep the lunar and solar calendars aligned. The lunar year comprises 354 days, compared to the 365¼ of the solar calendar. Therefore every 3 years an extra month is added in the lunar calendar. Also known as Purushottam Month, it is believed that whoever fasts, performs japa, pooja, and devotes time to Purushottam during this month can be awarded all the necessities of life, and after death can ascend to the abode of Lord Krishna.

During this month the fasting rules are the same as those of Ekadashi/ Navratri/ Shivratri.

What Foods can be eaten during Ekadashi / Navratri Fasting?

Barnyard millet (samo),
amaranth(rajgira),
tapioca pearls (sabudana),
buckwheat (kuttu),
water chestnut (singada),
quinoa
all fruits,
milk, yogurt, ghee, paneer, fresh cream
rock salt,
spices like chili powder, coriander powder, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, nutmeg, saffron, ginger, coriander
nuts
seeds
vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, arbi, carrot, tomatoes, yam, pumpkin, bottle gourd, cucumber
oil – only nut or seed oils. Do not use canola, maize,corn, vegetable, mustard oils. Instead use sunflower, peanut, olive oil.

Some religious sects allow fresh turmeric. But once must avoid turmeric powder during fasting as it can be ground in mills where grains have been processed.

Avoid consuming tea or coffee as they contain caffeine. Best to enjoy fresh herbal tea.

Advantages of Fasting

Fasting has recently become a fad in the health and weight loss world, but fasting actually existed centuries ago and is a part of many religions and cultures. One such tradition is followed by many Hindus world over and that is fasting every fortnight, also known as Ekadashi. The other most observed fasting period is during Navratri.

So what are the advantages of fasting besides the religious aspect?

Promotes control of sugar in the blood as it decrease insulin resistance
Promotes better health and decreases levels of inflammation
Reduces bad cholesterol therefore promotes good heart health
Aids weight loss
Boosts metabolism
Helps to purify the mind and body
Fasting on particular religious days or months helps one to follow and practice the religious rituals
develops discipline

Main Meals

CHUTNEY & PANEER THALIPEETH

Chutney & Paneer Thalipeeth is a delicious, gluten free, protein rich flatbread that can be enjoyed for breakfast or served with a curry as part of a main meal.

Recipes for Auspicious Fasting Days