Foods to Steer Clear of for a Spiritually Pure and Healthy Fasting Observance named Shravan
In the holy month of **Shravan (Sawan)** in India, devotees embark on a unique spiritual journey marked by strict dietary restrictions. This practice, known as Shravan fasting, is primarily aimed at promoting physical discipline, mental clarity, and spiritual purity.
During this period, devotees **avoid all non-vegetarian foods** such as meat, fish, eggs, and any animal-based products. These are considered tamasic (impure) and disruptive to mental calmness and spiritual focus. Additionally, onion and garlic, believed to increase heat, passion, and restlessness, are prohibited.
Instead, **rock salt (sendha namak)** or pink salt is used in place of regular table salt, as it is considered less pure for fasting purposes. Grains and pulses (legumes) such as wheat, rice, barley, and pulses like lentils, chickpeas, and kidney beans are generally excluded. Instead, alternatives like buckwheat flour (kuttu), water chestnut flour (singhare ka atta), amaranth (rajgira), and barnyard millet (samak rice) are permitted.
The diet emphasizes light, cooling, sattvic, and easily digestible foods to maintain physical health and mental clarity while supporting spiritual discipline throughout Shravan. Allowed foods include fruits, nuts, dairy products, certain vegetables, and the special flours mentioned above.
Spices like cumin seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, and red chili powder can be used to flavor food, while onion, garlic, and turmeric are avoided. Herbal teas, plain water, and naturally hydrating options like buttermilk or cucumber water are recommended.
Processed foods and packaged juices, aerated (carbonated) and caffeinated drinks, and items containing preservatives or added salt are best avoided during Shravan fasting. This holistic approach to body and soul cleansing promotes a more mindful, peaceful, and health-focused experience.
Fasting during Shravan is not just about skipping meals; it is about spiritual cleansing, mental clarity, and physical discipline. By adhering to these dietary restrictions, one can align with the spirit of Shravan and enjoy its spiritual and physical benefits. The holy month of Shravan, dedicated to Lord Shiva, offers a unique opportunity for spiritual growth and self-reflection.
In their spiritual journey during Shravan, devotees also prioritize health-and-wellness, implementing a diet of sattvic foods that focus on fitness-and-exercise and nutrition. They opt for light, cooling, and easily digestible foods like fruits, nuts, dairy products, certain vegetables, and special flours, while avoiding tamasic substances such as non-vegetarian foods, onion, garlic, and processed products.
