Navratri, the nine nights of Maa Durga, or the Navdurga, are considered to be one of the most holy, auspicious, and energetic days and nights of the year. The atmosphere is buzzing with the claps of Garba, the food in Pandals, and of course, the energy of Maa Durga that surrounds each one of us. The energy, love, and compassion of Maa Durga can be felt all around, and so can her fierce nature that destroys evil.
And so, as Navratri starts today (October 3), here we mention 13 things that you should absolutely not do in these 9 days.

Navratri is the time to focus on the energies of Maa Durga, the purity of the Universe, and the piousness that is present in each one of us. And during a time like this, it is best to not eat a living being who was killed to become your food, a means of your indulgence.

Plus, according to elders and lores, non-vegetarian food and its qualities are believed to lower the spiritual energy of a person (Tamasic), making them lethargic and dull, and constantly in need of rest. And so, it is best to avoid these foods at a time when Maa Durga’s energy is going to be all around.

While most people think the primary purpose of alcohol is to slow you down and give you a good time, often, it is the complete opposite! Alcohol and other intoxicants interfere with your rational brain, make you overly emotional, and can also cloud your judgement. And so, in a festival where humans cleanse themselves both physically and spiritually, it is best to not engage in alcohol and the likes.

Another set of foods with ‘Tamasic’ qualities, that are said to indulge the senses and make you lethargic and dull are onion and garlic. And so, it is best to avoid these as well during the time of Navratri, and further if you wish to.

It is believed that onion and garlic generate heat in the body and disturb the balance of mind, which distracts people from their spiritual calling.

Gambling, cards, and such games are considered to have great ills on society and a person’s character. These games induce greed, jealousy, anger, and even evil intentions. And so, during a time when Maa Durga is so close to humans, waiting to bless them with her love and care, it is best to not do things that will interfere with your pure intentions and energies.

One of the simplest ways to live a good, peaceful life is by being at peace with yourself and with others. And if you are bad mouthing people, talking wrong about them, or looking down at them, you are certainly not peaceful and accepting in life. And so, during the time of Navratri, if you wish to receive the best possible love and blessings, it is important to avoid any bad mouthing about people or keep any negative feelings attached to you.

The 9 nights of Navratri are dedicated to 9 different forms of Maa Durga, or Navdurga. And so, every day and night is equally important. So, to make sure that Maa Durga stays happy and content with you, make sure to not skip your daily prayers and sit in meditation every day, thinking about her powers and her grace.

At times, we like to give ourselves a little ‘treat’ here and there for achieving things. And while these occasional indulgences are nice, it is preferred to not do the same during Navratri. Why? Because overindulgence is seen as the epitome of material pleasures. Just like overeating, overspending and indulging in things you just ‘want’ and not ‘need’ is best avoided. In times when you want self-control and mindfulness, indulging is believed to negate the goods of your prayer.

The only thing that happens when people argue is that they interfere with their peace of mind. They get angry, start having negative feelings, and then there is no space for love, compassion, and blessings. And so, during the Navratri time, it is best to stay in peace, keep yourself calm, and engage yourself in the worship and praise of Maa Durga.

Often, before Navratri begins, we set a number about how many days we will fast. It could be all 9 days, it could be the first and last day, or even the first and last two days. But, the problem begins when we break our fasts midway because we feel like ‘indulging’ in our favourite foods. Until it is an emergency, it is best to not break your fast midway, especially just to eat something you are really craving.

The priests, pujaris, and pandits, have a very important role to play in the celebrations and rituals of Navratri. Be it the everyday ‘shringaar’ of Maa Durga, or the elaborate rituals and ‘shankhnaads’ of the day, priests are important in everyday life. And so, make sure you treat them with utmost respect for they are one of the closest to Maa Durga. Disrespecting or ignoring the priests can disrupt the spiritual flow of life and the festival.

While black has been a buzz colour for quite sometime now, it is best to avoid it during festivals and occasions. And during the time of Navratri, when everything is bustling with bright colours and joy, wearing black is simply a disrespect.
For many, black is believed to be the colour of negativity or mourning, which is completely opposite to the energy of Navratri. So, wear bright colours, avoid black, and enjoy the colours of life.

Navratri is not only about religious rituals, chanting mantras, and doing the usual rounds of prayers, but also about trust, respect, love, and devotion. And so, as Indians, and as Hindus, it is important to respect your elders. Disrespecting the elders and shrugging them off are negative traits that go completely opposite to the spirit of Navratri, and can incur the wrath of Maa Durga.

The spirit of Navratri is not just Garba, dandiya, and pandal hopping, but also looking after one another and helping those in need. And so, it is important to make Navratri a time of giving, donating, and charity. If you don’t help those in need during these times, it is believed that even the Goddess will ignore your requests when you need.
So, give back to society, give to the ones who need it, and perform a good deed for yourself.