Navratri: The Sacred Nine Days Before Dussehra
Navratri, the sacred nine days before Dussehra, honors Maa Durga’s victory over evil. Devotees fast, pray, and prepare prasad like halwa, puri, and chana, symbolizing purity, devotion, and strength.
What is Navratri and Why Do We Celebrate It?
Navratri is one of the most important festivals in India, celebrated for nine nights and ten days in honor of Goddess Durga. The word Navratri itself means “nine nights,” during which devotees worship the nine forms of Maa Durga. These days are filled with devotion, fasting, prayers, music, dance, and food prepared as an offering to the Goddess. The festival falls twice in a year, once during spring (Chaitra Navratri) and once during autumn (Sharad Navratri). The Sharad Navratri, which comes before Dussehra, is considered the grandest celebration across India.
The reason we celebrate Navratri is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. According to the scriptures, Goddess Durga fought the mighty demon Mahishasura for nine days and nights, and on the tenth day she defeated him. This victory of good over evil is what we remember during Navratri, which culminates in Dussehra, the day that marks the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana as well. Thus, these ten days carry a double symbolism of righteousness prevailing over darkness.
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Why Do We Celebrate Navratri Before Dussehra?
Navratri acts as the spiritual preparation for Dussehra. The nine days are dedicated to purifying the body, mind, and soul through fasting, prayers, and rituals. By the time we reach the tenth day, our hearts are filled with positivity and strength, ready to embrace the message of Dussehra. It is a way of aligning ourselves with the victories of the divine forces and ensuring that goodness remains a guiding light in our lives.
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Why Do Some People Celebrate 7, 8, or 9 Days?
Traditionally, Navratri is celebrated for nine days, but in many regions people conclude the fasting and Kanjak rituals on the seventh day (Saptami) or the eighth day (Ashtami). Some follow until the ninth day (Navami). This variation comes from family traditions and regional practices. The core idea remains the same: to honor Maa Durga and to complete the fasting with the ritual of feeding little girls, known as Kanjak or Kumari Puja.
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What Do We Do During These Days?
During Navratri, devotees observe fasts, worship different forms of Maa Durga, chant mantras, and prepare sattvic food. Houses are decorated, temples are filled with prayers, and evenings come alive with devotional songs and dances like Garba and Dandiya. On the final day of fasting, little girls are invited into homes because they are seen as the embodiment of the Goddess herself. Their feet are washed, they are worshipped, given prasad, gifts, and food prepared especially for them.
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Scientific Reason Behind Fasting in Navratri
While fasting is a religious ritual, it also has a scientific explanation. Navratri comes during the seasonal change, when the body is more vulnerable to infections. By consuming light, sattvic food like fruits, milk, and grains, the digestive system gets a much-needed rest and detox. It helps to balance metabolism and immunity, preparing the body for the winter ahead. Thus, fasting is not just spiritual but also an intelligent way to stay healthy.
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What Do We Cook for the Goddess?
Food plays a sacred role in Navratri. Devotees prepare prasad and sattvic meals without onion, garlic, or excessive spices. On Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami, special meals are cooked for Kanjak. Traditionally, this includes halwa, puri, and black chana. This combination is not just a ritual but also holds deep meaning. Halwa represents sweetness in life, puri symbolizes wholeness, and black chana signifies strength and nourishment.
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Cooking Rituals on Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dussehra
On Saptami, the preparation of Kanjak meals begins. Many families choose to complete their fast on this day by cooking puri, halwa, and chana. On Ashtami, the tradition is more widespread, with girls being invited, prayers offered, and the same food combination served. On Navami, some families prefer to conclude, again serving the sacred thali. On Dussehra, the food becomes festive and celebratory, often including traditional sweets like jalebi, kheer, or festive rice dishes, symbolizing the joy of victory.
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Step-by-Step Recipe of Navratri Prasad (Halwa, Puri, and Chana)
To prepare halwa, begin by heating pure ghee in a Triply Kadai by Omichef. Add semolina (sooji) and roast until it turns golden brown, releasing a rich aroma. Slowly add warm water infused with sugar and cardamom. Stir continuously until it thickens into a smooth, luscious halwa. Ghee is added not only for taste but also because it carries sattvic energy and keeps the body warm during seasonal change.
For puri, knead wheat flour with water, a pinch of salt, and a little ghee to make a soft dough. Roll into small rounds and fry them in hot oil using an Omichef Triply Frypan, which ensures even heating and less oil absorption. The puffed puris are symbolic of completeness and abundance in life.
To prepare black chana, soak them overnight. Next morning, cook them in a Triply Pressure Cooker until soft. Temper with ghee, cumin seeds, and mild spices like sendha namak and green chilies. Black chana is chosen because it is a powerhouse of protein and gives strength to the body.
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Why Use Omichef Triply Cookware for Navratri Prasad?
Cooking prasad for the Goddess deserves the best quality cookware, and Omichef Triply Cookware is designed exactly for this. With its three-layer construction of stainless steel, aluminum, and stainless steel, heat spreads evenly, preventing food from sticking or burning. The kadai gives perfect roasting for halwa, the frypan ensures golden puffed puris, and the pressure cooker delivers evenly cooked chana without losing nutrients. Omichef cookware is safe, durable, and long-lasting, making it ideal for sacred as well as everyday cooking.
When you prepare offerings for the Goddess in Omichef Triply Cookware, you honor tradition while embracing modern quality. Explore the full collection of Triply Cookware on our website and on Amazon to make your Navratri cooking effortless, healthy, and authentic.
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Conclusion
Navratri is not just about rituals, it is about experiencing the presence of divinity in our homes and hearts. Through fasting, devotion, and cooking sacred meals, we align ourselves with the energy of Maa Durga and celebrate the eternal victory of good over evil. This Navratri, make your prasad and Kanjak meals with Omichef Triply Cookware to add purity, perfection, and tradition to your kitchen. Visit our website today to explore the all collection and bring home cookware that will serve you for years. Omichef Triply Cookware is also available on Amazon for your convenience. Celebrate the festival with devotion, purity, and the right cookware by your side.
Frequently Asked Questions on Navratri
What is Navratri and why do we celebrate it?
Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated for nine nights to honor Goddess Durga. We celebrate Navratri because it marks the victory of Maa Durga over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
Why do we celebrate Navratri before Dussehra?
Navratri is celebrated before Dussehra because the nine days of worship prepare devotees spiritually and mentally. On the tenth day, Dussehra is observed as the final victory day of good over evil, connecting both festivals.
What is cooked during Navratri for Goddess Durga?
During Navratri, devotees prepare sattvic food without onion and garlic. On Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami, prasad of halwa, puri, and black chana is cooked and offered to the Goddess and little girls during Kanjak puja.
Why do people fast during Navratri?
Fasting during Navratri has both religious and scientific reasons. Spiritually, it purifies the soul and increases devotion. Scientifically, Navratri comes at the seasonal change, and fasting helps detoxify the body and improve immunity.
Why do some celebrate Navratri for 7, 8, or 9 days?
Some families end their fasts and Kanjak rituals on Saptami (7th day), others on Ashtami (8th day), and some on Navami (9th day). The difference depends on family tradition and regional customs, but the devotion remains the same.
What is Kanjak puja in Navratri?
Kanjak puja is a ritual performed on Ashtami or Navami, where little girls are worshipped as forms of Goddess Durga. They are offered prasad including halwa, puri, and black chana, along with gifts, as they are believed to carry the energy of the Goddess.
What is the recipe of Navratri prasad?
The traditional Navratri prasad includes semolina halwa cooked with ghee and cardamom, puris made from wheat flour, and boiled black chana tempered with mild spices. These are offered first to the Goddess and then served to Kanjak girls.
