Know why eating onion and garlic is a big no-no during Navratri?

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Each and every devotee who celebrates the festival of Navratri will never eat or even touch onion or garlic during the nine-day-long celebrations. Families observing fast or even otherwise avoid onion and garlic preparations during the festival but hardly know the reason behind this prohibition.

If you are amongst those curious souls who are still wondering why is onion and garlic is barred during the nine days of Navratri, we are here to answer.

In Hinduism, all the food items have been catergorised into three parts which are Rajasic, Tamasic and Sattvik bhojan. It is believed that Sattvik food items are the ones that provide spiritual advancement. All vegetarian food items, with few as exceptions, are Saatvik in nature.

Sattvic diet gives importance to seasonal foods, fruits, dairy products, nuts, seeds, oils, ripe vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and non-meat based proteins.

Rajasic food items, on the other hand, have a stimulating effect on body and mind. It has neither positive or negative impact on the body.

Food that harms the mind or body is considered to Tamasic in nature. It is believed to cause mental dullness. Since onion and garlic are classified as Tamasic in nature, they are prohibited during the nine-day-long holy festival.

So, we hope now you know what makes onion and garlic an untouchable item during the festivity.