Janmashtami 2025: Food rules and do's and don'ts to follow while fasting

Time of India

a day ago

Janmashtami, the celebration of Lord Krishna's birth, is approaching. Devotees will observe fasts, either abstaining from food and water or consuming only fruits and milk. The festival includes offering 56 dishes to Lord Krishna. Experts advise mindful snacking, staying hydrated, and eating light, Satvik meals. Donating food and feeding cows are considered noble acts.
The vibrant festival of Janmashtami is around the corner. This day commemorates the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Bhadrapada.
This year, the festival falls on August 16, 2025 (Saturday).
On this day devotees observe fast and then celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight by offering him chhappan bhog, which means 56 dishes and the bhog thali includes his favourites like makhan mishri, panchamrit, makhana paag, gopalkala, and more.
Types of fasts
On Janmashtami, devotees observe either of the two types of fasts
Nirjala fast:
In this fasting, devotees abstain from both food and water throughout the day and they break the fast at midnight after offering prayer and aarti to Lord Krishna.
Phalahar fast:
As the name suggest, in this fast devotees eat fruits, milk and water and refrain from consuming grains, legumes, and vegetables.
Key food rules to follow while fasting
Be mindful of your festive snacking:
It's crucial to be aware of what you consume during fasting, as snacking often leads to overindulgence. Avoid fried options like fries and pakodas, and instead, opt for healthier choices like nuts (such as almonds), makhanas, and fruits.
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Almonds are especially beneficial for heart health, weight management, and diabetes control. Additionally, almonds provide a healthy source of energy to keep you active, particularly during fasting.
Their satiating nature can also make fasting more manageable.
Stay hydrated:
Optimal hydration is essential for various bodily functions, and it becomes even more important during fasting. Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, and irritability, which are undesirable when fasting.
Ensure you consume an adequate amount of water. Other options to stay hydrated include fruit juices, coconut water, etc.
Opt for light and Satvik meals:
Satvik foods, known for their purity and ease of digestion, are ideal for fasting. These meals align with the spiritual essence of Janmashtami while providing the nourishment needed to keep your energy levels up. Include fruits, yogurt, almonds, and grains like buckwheat (kuttu), amaranth (rajgira), and water chestnut (singhara) in your diet to stay balanced and energized.
Break your fast mindfully:
Breaking your fast mindfully is important as it helps your body adjust smoothly after a period of not eating. Consuming too much or too quickly can lead to bloating or discomfort. Starting with lighter, easy-to-digest foods gives your stomach time to adjust and process food properly. It also helps maintain steady energy levels and prevents overeating, which is better for your overall health.
Listen to your body:
Fasting is more than just abstaining from food; it involves paying attention to your body and recognizing its needs. If you start feeling weak or dizzy, it's essential to break your fast with light and healthy foods. Nutritionists emphasize that fasting should refresh and cleanse your body, not leave you drained. If you have health issues like diabetes or low blood pressure, consult a healthcare professional before you begin fasting.
Dos:
Eat fresh fruits:
As per experts, to keep the body energized, it is recommended to eat fresh fruits or even dry fruits. Fruits like apples, blackberries, bananas, grapes, walnuts, almonds, and dates can be consumed, which will keep you active and boost immunity as well.
Donate food:
On this day, donating food and water is considered a noble act. And when you are observing a fast, it is suggested that you donate food to the needy.
It is believed that the act of donating brings happiness and prosperity. Also, during the Janmashtami fast, feeding the cows is considered noble, as cows are very close to Lord Krishna.
Consume milk and curd:
This festival is incomplete without milk and curd. While fasting, you may indulge in shakes made with fresh fruits, or you may drink sweet lassi or salty lassi made with curd and sendha namak.
Savoury snack:
In many regions, people observe the nirjala fast (avoid food and water) on Janmashtami, while others eat vrat ka khana.
If you follow the latter, you may indulge in sabudana papad, sabudana khichdi, kuttu paratha, or samak rice cooked in desi ghee and sendha namak to keep the body healthy and energized.
Don'ts:
Avoid meat and eggs:
While observing a fast, the consumption of meat and non-vegetarian food is strictly prohibited.
Avoid onions and garlic:
On this day, people avoid eating and cooking onions and garlic. Also, the feast or bhog prepared for the Janmashtami festival doesn't use onion or garlic.
Avoid tea or coffee:
As per experts, one should avoid indulging in tea and coffee, as they create acidity and may cause uneasiness, heaviness, and headaches while fasting.
Avoid alcohol:
On this day, people also avoid consuming alcohol, tobacco, and cigarettes.
Avoid oily food:
It is also suggested to avoid oily foods to keep the gut healthy and avoid laziness. As per experts, oily food slows the digestion process, and hence, during fasting it might lead to health issues.
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