Navratri vrat niyam
In Navratri, kalash sthapana is done on the first day and the nine forms of Maa Durga are worshipped for nine days; an akhand jyoti is lit and sattvik food or phalahar is eaten. Onion-garlic, grains (for those fasting), cutting hair and nails, and tamasic things are avoided.
✅ What to do
- Do kalash sthapana and sow jau (khetri) in the auspicious muhurat.
- If you light an akhand jyoti, take care that it does not go out.
- Read the Durga Saptashati or Durga Chalisa and do the aarti every day.
- Do kanya pujan on Ashtami or Navami.
- In the vrat, take fruit, milk, kuttu, singhara, sabudana and sendha salt.
❌ What not to do
- Do not eat onion, garlic, meat or alcohol.
- Those fasting should not take wheat, rice or ordinary salt.
- Avoid getting your hair and nails cut.
- If an akhand jyoti is burning, do not leave the house empty.
- Do not insult any woman or girl.
These niyam (rules) are based on tradition and belief; they can differ between regions and families.
Frequently asked questions
When should kanya pujan be done in Navratri?
On Ashtami or Navami, by feeding 9 girls aged 2 to 10 years and one boy (Langur).
What should be eaten in the Navratri vrat?
Fruit, milk, curd, kuttu, singhara, rajgira, sabudana, potato, makhana and sendha salt.