Overview
- Chaitra Navratri began on March 19 and runs through Ram Navami, with many devotees observing nine days of sattvik fasting.
- Current guides list commonly accepted vegetables for vrat meals, including potato, sweet potato, pumpkin, bottle gourd, colocasia (arbi), raw banana, cucumber, carrots, tomatoes and leafy greens such as spinach.
- Most sources advise avoiding onion, garlic, brinjal, grains and lentils as well as meat, eggs, alcohol, processed foods and regular flour dishes during the fast.
- Fasting staples frequently recommended include rock salt, dairy, sabudana and flours such as kuttu, singhara and certain millets, with potatoes highlighted for reliable energy.
- Lists can vary by tradition, with one outlet noting beetroot as an acceptable, nutrient-rich option for salads, juices or tikkis.