Navratri, as the name suggests, spans nine days and is dedicated to honouring the divine feminine energy that is Goddess Durga. For Hindus, Chaitra Navratri holds special significance as it marks the positive start of the new Hindu lunar year, and is observed with devotion and enthusiasm.
This year, Chaitra Navratri begins on April 9, Tuesday and will continue till Wednesday, April 17.
The story of Chaitra Navratri
According to ancient scriptures, the start of Navratri goes back to a time when the people on Earth were troubled by a demon named Mahishasura. To restore peace on Earth and to eradicate the demon, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva united their powers to create Goddess Durga.
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Goddess Durga, in her fierce form known as Mahishasuramardini, fought a nine-day-long battle with Mahishasura. This intense battle is said to have taken place for nine days and nights until, finally, on the tenth day, Maa Durga emerged victorious. The tenth day then came to be celebrated as Vijayadashami, marking the end of Navratri festivities.
In all, for Hindus all over the world, Navratri is more than just a religious occurence, it is a festival that is celebrated with religious enthusiasm, love, devotion and kindness.
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Things to avoid buying
Just like every other festival, even during Navratri there are certain things that one should and should not buy.
While the things one should buy include the holy, auspicious things, like red and yellow clothes for self and for Maa Durga, prasad for the family and community, and so on, there are a few things that are always advised to avoid buying.
Here we list a few things that should be avoided during Navratri.
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Non-vegetarian food
Navratri is a time for devotion and purity. Be it the purity of thought or food, it is all followed during Navratri. And so, during these 9 days, people refrain from consuming and buying non-vegetarian food products.
It is believed that by maintaining food purity and eating a sattvic diet, which consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains, etc, devotees can purify the body and mind, aligning them with spiritual energies and enhancing the effectiveness of their fasts and prayers. Plus, avoiding buying and eating non-vegetarian food has become a symbol of devotion and a sort of respect for all forms of life during this period of worship.
Iron
Another long standing belief is that during Navratri and any of the auspicious festivals, one should not buy Iron.
Iron is considered to be a symbol of heavy and negative energy and it is believed that bringing iron into the house during this period can attract harmful energies and disrupt the spiritual peace of the person and his or her family.
Thus, it is advised that people should not purchase iron products like utensils, tools, material, furniture, etc during Navratri. Instead, devotees opt for alternative materials like stainless steel or copper.
Electronics
Just like iron, electronics are also associated with materialism and are linked to a form of distraction from spiritual practices. During Navratri, when devotees are wishing for inner peace, purification from worldly thoughts and spiritual upliftment, excessively engaging with electronic devices and the ‘status’ or ‘image’ that they define can pause their progress.
Plus, it is believed by many that the energy emitted by electronic gadgets and the content we consume from them, be it mobile phones, laptops or anything else, can interfere with the positive vibrations that humans want to attract during this spiritual phase and period.
Thus, it is said that during Navratri people should spend wisely, try not to buy any electronics, and also try to not spend too much time on those electronics.
Black clothes
In the world of religion and spirituality, the black colour is often seen as a bad omen. And as Navratri is a festival of purity, positivity, and divine energy, wearing or buying black during this time is highly discouraged.
For Hindus, black is said to be the colour of mourning and negativity and so should be avoided at all costs. Wearing black clothes or buying items in this colour is looked down upon as it’s believed to attract negative energy and create obstacles on the journey of spirituality.
Instead, people are advised to wear bright and vibrant coloured clothes, especially red, pink, yellow, green and the likes which will help promote a sense of festivity and joy in not just the wearer but also the people around them.
Rice
In many Hindu households, rice is a staple food and lunch and dinner are said to be incomplete without rice. But, during Navratri, many families stop buying rice altogether and eating it.
The reason for this is that most people are fasting during Navratri and hence the consumption of grains is nil or limited. Plus, it is said that the starchy nature of rice promotes a sense of laziness and lethargy in the person who consumes it. And so, in a time of spiritual energy, it is best to stay away from foods like these.
And so, people who opt for fasting or consume grains, they buy buckwheat, amaranth, or water chestnut flour to maintain a sattvic diet.
Sharp objects
This one goes without saying! Sharp objects such as knives, scissors, needles or anything that has a sharp, pointy edge is associated with potential for harm and injury.
During Navratri, when devotees want spiritual growth and seek protection from negative energies, the presence of sharp objects in the household is considered inauspicious. It is believed that such items may attract accidents or harmful and chaotic energies, which can in turn disrupt the positivity in the house.
And thus, it is best to avoid buying knives, scissors or anything sharp and pointed during Navratri.
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 45: How to escape the Material Matrix