20 Things To Avoid During Navratri!

Related Topics:Durga PujaGoddess DurgaNavratriVrat and Puja

Navratri or Durga Puja is celebrated by Sanatan Hindus across the world with much enthusiasm. It is one of the most auspicious and biggest festivals in India. As per Sanatan Hindu belief and tradition, any auspicious time can be made more beneficial by engaging in good and positive deeds and avoiding bad and negative ones.

We ensure to make the festivals full of positivity, fun and happiness and engage ourselves in things that promote that like starting from Cleaning of house, decorating our Mandirs or puja rooms, Ghatsthapna, Puja, Vrats, Dandiya, Garba, Ram Leela, Pandal hopping to feel the positive atmosphere, Durga Puja drum beats and Dhunichi Naach, this list can go on as different regions celebrate this festival differently. One thing that is common among all is, that we all seek the blessings of Maa Durga and ask her to bless us with all peace and prosperity. However, many times many people forget the basics of welcoming Maa Durga and end up engaging in things that may enrage her. Here are a few tips that you must follow during Durga Puja and Navratri to avoid negatives. 

1. Keep the house and surroundings clean and tidy. God resides only in a clean and uncluttered place. Clutter and dirt invite negative energy. 
2. Take a bath daily and wear clean and washed clothes.
3. Do not wear dirty clothes during all 9 days of Navratri puja.
4. If you are observing fast you should not have a haircut or shave. Get it done before you start your Vrat.
5. Also, you should not cut your nails.
6. You must avoid eating onions, garlic and non-vegetarian food during all 9 days of Navratri.
7. Do not wear or use any item made of leather like belts, sleepers or shoes.
8. People on fast should not cut lemon. Ask your Pandit Ji what other rituals your family follows related to this. In many places, people do not cut and eat cucumber, pumpkin, coconut and many other fruits/vegetables.  
9. If you have lit up Akhand Jyoti in your house, make sure at least one person is present in the home 24×7 till the Puja is over.  
10. If you are observing Vrat (fast), make sure you eat only Suddh sattvic food.
11. While observing fast you should avoid eating grain, lentils and common salt in the food.
12. As per Vishnu Purana, you should avoid taking a nap in the afternoon.
13. If you are having ‌fruit, make sure you complete it in one sitting.
14. If you are chanting any Durga mantra, Durga Chalisa or Durga Saptashati, do not stop in between to talk to someone. It is not seen as good. Such acts bring negative energy into your body and house.
15. Do not chew tobacco or any tobacco-related items used for smoking. It destroys the results of Vrat.
16. Make sure you are not making physical relations, it hampers the result of fast.
17. Do not consume alcohol or any other addictive substance. 
18. Do not get into quarrels or any kind of bad deeds. Concentrate only on good deeds. 
19. Do not hurt any human or animal. 
20. Do not chant incomplete Durga mantras. It invites negative energy.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it necessary to keep the house, self and surroundings clean during Navratri and Durga Puja? 

A: Yes, it is believed, that dirty and cluttered places bring negative energy. Since Navratri and Durga Puja is one of the most auspicious times of the year the atmosphere is filled with positivity. If you want to bring that positive energy into your house or within yourself, keeping yourself and your home and surroundings clean and uncluttered is essential.  

Q: Is Navratri Vrat essential for all? 

A: No, Navratri Vrat is not essential for all. However, if you want to observe it, observe it with sincerity and follow the above guidelines strictly to get the best results for your Vrat. 

Navratri is a festival that is celebrated and observed in different ways in different regions and states. Many families have their unique rituals that they have been following for ages. Talk to your family pandits or local pandits to understand your family’s rituals and traditions. Make sure you follow your family traditions and rituals because every ritual and tradition has some value of its own, which should be passed on from generation to generation. In Sanatan Hindu Parampara, following family traditions is equally important for the blessings of the Gods and Goddesses. 

If you are not very sure about Navratri puja rituals, you can also consult our astrologers and pandits here.