The nine-day festival of Chaitra Navratri will begin from next week. The first day of the Chaitra Navratri is on March 18, 2018 and it will end on March 26, 2018. The Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the Spring festival and is thus also called the Vasant Navratri. Celebrated to worship Goddess Durga this festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Gujarati, Bengali and Maharashtrian communities. The Sharad Navratri which is celebrated all over the country will be celebrated in October this year.

With every festival, there are certain traditions attached. There are fasting rules and also some restrictions to follow during this festival. There are specific timings of performing the puja and also when to break the fast. These are some traditional beliefs which people have carried on with over the years. Let us look at some of the do’s and don’ts for Chaitra Navratri. Chaitra Navratri 2018 Dates & Calendar: Significance and Puja Shubh Muhurat Time of Nine-Day Navaratri Festival

Do’s for Chaitra Navratri:

  • You should take bath on or before 9 am of each day.

  • It is believed that Red colour is Goddess Durga’s favourite color, hence the during Navratri fasteners’ should use the red colour cloth, flower and garments.

  • You should eat only once and that too fast-friendly food during Navratri.

  • Give some homemade bhog to Gods every day; if not possible then milk and fruits should be offered.

Don’ts for Chaitra Navratri:

  • Do not cut your nails for all these days till Ekadashi

  • You should also not cut your hair during the days of Chaitra Navratri.

  • Do not gossip, tell lies or use any curse words during these days.

  • Do not indulge in alcohol and non-vegetarian foods.

  • Do not wear slipper in the house if possible for all these 9 days or avoid getting into the puja room wearing one.

  • Do not stitch or knit anything during the period.

Fasting is an important element of celebrating Chaitra Navratri. And hence it is extremely important to know what to eat and what to avoid. There are a lot of fast-friendly food recipes which you can try and make your fasting period seem effortless.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 15, 2018 06:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).