Shardiya Navratri is one of the most important festivals for Hindus, celebrating the victory of good over evil. For nine days, devotees worship Goddess Durga and remember her defeat of the demon Mahishasura. According to the story, the battle between Durga and Mahishasura lasted for nine days and nights, with the victory celebrated on the tenth day, known as Dussehra or Vijayadashami.
In 2024, Shardiya Navratri will start on October 3 and end on October 11. While Navratri happens four times a year, the Shardiya and Chaitra Navratris are considered the most important, with Magha Gupt Navratri and Ashadha Gupt Navratri being the other two occasions.
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Why Avoid Certain Items During Shardiya Navratri 2024?
During Shardiya Navratri 2024, devotees fast and perform rituals to honour Goddess Durga. The festival is about purity, devotion, and spiritual growth. Along with worship and fasting, there are specific items that are advised not to be purchased during these nine holy days. Here’s a list of things to avoid buying during Navratri.
Non-Vegetarian Food
One of the key things to avoid during Shardiya Navratri is non-vegetarian food. The festival highlights purity in both mind and diet. People avoid eating or buying non-vegetarian food items like meat, fish, and eggs. A sattvic diet, which includes fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, and grains, is preferred. This diet is believed to purify the body and mind, aligning them with positive spiritual energy. Eating non-vegetarian food during this time is seen as disrespectful to the festival’s sacredness.
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Avoid Iron Purchases
According to tradition, buying iron during Shardiya Navratri is considered inauspicious. Iron is thought to attract negative energy and bring heaviness into the home. Bringing iron objects like utensils, tools, or furniture into the house during these sacred days may disturb the spiritual peace. Instead of iron, many devotees prefer to buy items made of stainless steel or copper, which are considered more auspicious during Navratri.
Electronics: A Distraction from Spiritual Practices
Electronic items are also advised to be avoided during Navratri. Gadgets like mobile phones, laptops, and TVs are seen as distractions from the spiritual focus of the festival. Excessive use of these devices can interfere with the positive energy devotees try to bring into their lives. It is believed that electronic devices can interrupt the spiritual atmosphere. During these nine days of Shardiya Navratri, it’s better to reduce screen time and avoid buying new electronics.
Refrain from Wearing or Buying Black Clothes
In Hindu culture, black is often associated with mourning and negativity, making it a colour to avoid during Shardiya Navratri 2024. The festival is a time of positivity, purity, and divine energy, so buying or wearing black clothes is discouraged. Instead, devotees wear bright and vibrant colours such as red, yellow, green, and pink, which are seen as auspicious and help enhance the festive spirit.
Avoid Buying Rice
Rice, a staple in many households, is often avoided during Shardiya Navratri. This is because many people fast during these nine days, and the consumption of grains is usually limited or completely stopped. Additionally, it is believed that rice can induce laziness, which could interfere with the focus on spiritual growth. During Navratri, people often opt for grains like buckwheat, amaranth, or water chestnut flour to maintain a sattvic diet instead of consuming rice.
Sharp Objects: Symbol of Potential Harm
Sharp objects like knives, scissors, and needles are seen as inauspicious during Navratri. These items are associated with potential harm, and bringing them into the home during the festival is believed to attract negative energy. It’s best to avoid purchasing any sharp or pointy objects during these sacred days, as they are said to disrupt the household’s spiritual peace and positivity.
During Shardiya Navratri 2024, focus on spiritual growth, positivity, and devotion. Avoiding items such as non-vegetarian food, iron, electronics, black clothes, rice, and sharp objects can help you keep the spirit of the festival intact. As you celebrate these nine holy days, align your actions with the purity and devotion that Navratri stands for, ensuring a spiritually enriching experience.
(Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.)
