Fasting or eating healthy on Chaturmas is considered extremely beneficial as per Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Some Hindus observe religious activities like penance, austerities, fasting, bathing in holy rivers, etc., during Chaturmas. Though some aren’t able to observe Chaturmas Vrat (fasting), they consume one or two healthy meals throughout the day.
So, what is Chaturmas? And why it’s so important to eat healthy during this period?
Chaturmas is the 4-holy months (July-October) during monsoon in India, which is a very contagious period for the human body. Starts on Shayani Ekadashi (the 11th-day of the bright half) of the Hindu month Asaadh, ends on Prabodhini Ekadashi (the 11th-day of the bright half) of Kartik month, according to the Hindu lunar calendar.
Ayurveda (Indian medical science) suggests that during monsoon, people can get contaminated from several foods and vegetables as infectious germs stay highly active.
Foods to avoid during Chaturmas :
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- Avoid green leafy vegetables as they grow on soils and apt to bacterial infections plus the house of ground-worms. Clean thoroughly with mild-warm water before cooking, if you wish to consume leafy vegetable like lettuce, cabbage, spinach.
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- Ayurveda recommends avoiding fermented food such as curd, yogurt, during Augst-September. Because monsoon decreases your metabolism, weakens your digestive system, and incites lactose intolerance. So, add water to the milk while consuming to reduce lactose intolerance.
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- Also, you should avoid high protein food like lentils, pulses plus onion, garlic, eggplants as they intervene in the digestion process.
Chaturmas is an immensely propitious period in Hinduism since mostly the biggest celebrated Hindu festivals like Diwali, Navratri, Durga Puja, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, etc., falls during this time. You should perform Chaturmas Aarti by reciting spiritual mantras to purify your heart and soul during this period.
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