26/09/2025
Sharad Navratri & Ayurveda: Fasting, Cleansing, and Preparing for Winter
Sharad Navratri, celebrated at the onset of autumn, is not just a spiritual festival — it is also nature’s way of guiding us towards balance and seasonal health. Ayurveda beautifully explains why fasting during these nine days is essential for both body and mind.
Why Sharad Navratri Matters in Ayurveda
Autumn (Sharad Ritu) follows the scorching summer and humid monsoon. This leaves the body with:
Excess pitta dosha (heat, acidity, skin issues, irritability)
Weak agni (digestive fire)
Lowered immunity, making us prone to fevers, rashes, and acidity
Navratri fasting arrives exactly at this sensitive time, helping the body cool, cleanse, and reset.
The Logic of Fasting During Navratri
Fasting in Ayurveda is not deprivation but a healing process.
Cools Excess Pitta – Saatvic foods like fruits, roots, and light grains reduce acidity and calm the system.
Rest for Digestion – Lighter meals prevent strain on weak agni.
Flushes Toxins (Ama) – Fasting clears the residue of summer and monsoon.
Supports Devotion – Saatvic foods promote clarity, calmness, and focus in prayers.
After Navratri: Transitioning into Winter
Once fasting ends, the body is ready to gradually welcome more grounding and nourishing foods for Hemant Ritu (early winter).
Fruits for Winter
Apples & pears (best stewed or lightly cooked)
Pomegranates, guavas, custard apples (Sitaphal)
Oranges & sweet lime (Mosambi)
Dates & figs (soaked or stewed for better digestion)
Vegetables for Winter
Root vegetables – carrots, beets, radish, sweet potato
Leafy greens – spinach, methi, bathua, mustard greens
Pumpkin, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, yam
Grains & Nourishment
Bajra (Pearl Millet) – warming, builds stamina
Ragi (Finger Millet) – calcium-rich, nourishing
Traditional Wheat – Khapli (Emmer) and Sona Moti wheat, grounding and easy to digest
Nuts & Seeds – almonds, walnuts, sesame, flaxseeds
Ghee & Jaggery – essential for warmth, immunity, and strength
Sharad Navratri fasting is a blend of devotion and detoxification. It cools the body, rests digestion, and prepares us for the nourishment required in winter. By gradually introducing warming fruits, roots, and traditional grains, we align with Ayurveda’s wisdom of ritucharya — living in rhythm with the seasons.
At Anammyaa Wellness, we believe Navratri is not just a spiritual celebration, but also a timeless Ayurvedic practice for health, balance, and inner renewal.
