Navratri- A Celebration of Womanhood

Navratri is more relevant today than it ever was in history. In past few decades, chronic conditions like diabetes, infertility, cardiovascular disease, autoimmunity, Alzheimer’s, mood disorders, and PCOS have skyrocketed. And the most disheartening part about the surge is that many of these are happening to women.

Navratri is a festival that celebrates womanhood through its 9 days. If you closely observe it is a cycle of a woman’s life from being an infant through menopause to the celebration of a mature trove of treasure at old age.

This might be an indication of a woman’s good health that most of us are unable to decode, as we have been brought up in an environment of one-size-fits-all that benefits no one.

Let’s understand it better:

1. On the First Navratri, We pray to Maa Shailputri which is a representation of a daughter. Introduce your daughter to fasting as a great way to detox. It may strike she’s so small what’s the need of detox? We live in such a polluted environment with so many chemicals inbuilt in our lives that has taken its toll on everyone’s health including young girls and there’s no denial to early menarche or early puberty. Cannot keep her hungry start with:
2. Avoiding packed food.
3. Avoiding cold drinks.
4. Preponing her dinner the previous night.
5. Keep her filled with fruits, nuts, milk, and a meal of Kalahari thali, curd, and sweet potato with the day ending a little early.

It's just for a day twice a year. Sounds tough but its achievable.

2. On the 2^nd Navratri, we pray to Maa Brahmacharini, a representation of an adolescent girl. A girl in her adolescence is at the helm of her hormonal changes, with Puberty at the doorstep. She first gets the feel of being a woman.  A lot is happening inside her body and mind as she’s unable to understand changes in her body and these days a lot more happening due to PCOD, PCOS already being a part of their lives. Now, they are in the prime of their age and life. Introduce them to a stricter fasting regime for 2 days. If they can maintain go on water fasting otherwise 16:8 will work for 2 consecutive days for better physical and mental health. During the eating window:
3. No Packed foods, aerated drinks, potato chips.
4. Fruits, nuts, milk, one proper vrat meal. Please avoid overdoing potatoes.

On 3^rd Navratri, we revere to Maa Chandraghanta a representation of newly wed girl with glow and charm. With impending marriage in next 3-4 months and want to have unmatched bridal glow. Lots of hormonal surge, excitement and butterflies. Fasting for 3 days is recommended in Navratri’s for the long lasting glow from better gut health and sorted hormones. Rules of fasting apply same as adolescents.

On 4^th Navratri, we pray to Maa Kushmanda a representation of married woman, who has a lot on her plate to manage with new adjustments to be made in new household. All this takes a toll on mental and physical health. Press the reset button for your good health by fasting for 4 days. Improved gut health and renewed energy will come to your rescue.

Maa SkandMata is revered on 5^th Navratri, a depiction of new mother. Becoming a new mother is rewarding as well as tumultuous with hormones playing at their most. With post partum depression being rampant, New mothers need a detox and healing therapy. With blessings of maa durga, Fasting for 5 days post partum  or during lactation can benefit immensely. Enjoy Motherhood with grace.

Maa Katyayani, the most ferocious form of durga represents the most demanding period of woman’s life. being a householder and a mother she’s a multitasker. With so full hands and mind – a detox is a must so go for 6 day Navratri fasting. Much required healing, detoxification to take on life in full swing for next 6 months.

Maa Kaalratri, represents the most traumatic phase of woman’s life i.e. perimenopausal phase. A phase note worthy of detox. Mood-Swings, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, depression, headaches, aches and pains, brain fog, weight gain and list is never- ending symptoms leading to irritability. With mood being always on the edge. A 7day fasting is recommended for hormonal detox. All the woman’s in late 30’s and early 40’s should fast for 7 days as they are somewhere in their menopausal journey and this will help to lengths.

Post-menopausal women should fast for 8 days. Maa Mahagauri is serenity and calmness personified. Having lived a major part of life being lived went through ups and down. Now embrace maturity with grace. Postmenopausal doesn’t mean that your hormones have gone to sleep, they are still there affecting your bone health, and mental health and impacting your life a lot. Fasting for 8 days enhances detox and autophagy helps repair all pains and aches and induces anti-aging naturally.

Maa Siddhidatri is the mother who fulfills all your wishes – a true representation of true wisdom. A woman well above 60 is a trove of wisdom from which anyone and everyone find comfort and life-saving advice. So, the 9^th Navratri is a celebration of a life well lived and also the culmination of fasting for most.

Navratri can be a great way to hormonally detox your body as discussed. For best results, the best way to fast is:

1. Do notsnack “graze” or give in the food cravings.
2. Eat your meals early in the day.
3. Eat your meals in a restricted eating window.
4. Relish on a variety of fasting foods during the eating window and if possible restrict eating potatoes .

Happy Navratri! Let's celebrate healthy womanhood together.

About Author

The writer is Ms. Deepti Srivastava, Diabetes Educator, Graduate in Pharmacy and co-founder of Lifetree. She has committed herself to the cause of educating people about Diabetes and its side effects and how to control this growing menace. She offers a unique perspective not only on diabetes management but also women health and holistic well-being, rooted in time-tested and prudent principles of Ayurveda. Her rich experience in this field offers hope and alternate line of treatment to millions of patients. Lifetree products are pure, effective and made from high-quality naturally sourced herbs and ingredients that promote a balanced and healthier lifestyle, in harmony with nature.