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Time of India
15 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Janmashtami 2025 Vrat Guide: Dos, don'ts, and complete food list to follow
Janmashtami, celebrating Lord Krishna's birth, falls on August 16th. Devotees observe fasts, either abstaining from food and water or consuming only fruits and milk. Key guidelines include mindful snacking with nuts and fruits, staying hydrated, and opting for light, Satvik meals. The holy festival of Janmashtami is being celebrated around the world on August 16. 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. 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. 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. All Images Courtesy: istock Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes, , messages , and quotes !
News18
3 days ago
- General
- News18
Janmashtami 2025 Fast Timings: When To Observe Fast, Dos And Don'ts To Follow
Krishna Janmashtami 2025 Fasting Rules: Know the correct timings, dos & don'ts, rituals, and tips to observe the fast with devotion and spiritual discipline. Krishna Janmashtami 2025 Fasting Rules: The auspicious occasion of Lord Krishna's birth, Janmashtami, holds an important place in Hindu culture and is celebrated by devotees as one of the most spiritually significant festivals. This year, the Krishna Janmashtami falls on August 16, with Nishita Puja (midnight ritual) scheduled between 12:20 AM and 01:05 AM on August 17 coinciding with Lord Krishna's birth, according to Drik panchang. On Janmashtami, devotees of Lord Krishna, especially women, practice fasting and prepare for the ceremonies to be held at various temples at midnight. However, before approaching the sacred day, devotees must understand the rules of the Janmashtami fasting and how they can enhance their spiritual experience through the same. When To Observe Janmashtami 2025 Fast? Date: Thursday, August 15, 2025 Fast Begins: Early morning on August 15 (typically from or before sunrise, depending on local traditions) Nishita Puja (Midnight Worship): 12:04 AM to 12:47 AM on August 16, 2025 — the most auspicious time for celebrating Lord Krishna's birth Fast Ends (Parana): After midnight, following the Nishita Puja, on August 16 Duration: The fast is observed for around 24 hours, concluding after the midnight celebration of Krishna Janmotsav Dos and Don'ts of Janmashtami Fasting Janmashtami fasting symbolises devotees' pursuit to liberate themselves from the materialistic world and connect with the divine Lord. By fasting properly, devotees inculcate discipline and experience deep spiritual awakening, which brings them closer to Krishna and his blessings. DOs Observe Cleanliness: Clean yourself and your surroundings, including the temple area at your home. Have a good bath early in the morning and wear clean traditional attire for the festival. Follow the Satvik Diet: For those fasting, eating only fast-approved Satvik food items is advised. You can eat fruits, have milk or milk-based products, sabudana (tapioca), singhare ka atta (water chestnut flour), potatoes and pumpkin and use rock salt. Engage in Devotion: It is common for devotees fasting on Janmashtami to recite Krishna bhajans throughout the day, read the Bhagavad Gita and take part in temple rituals, including pujas and kirtans. DON'Ts Eating Cereals: Don't consume any grains, rice and lentils while you're fasting for Janmashtami. Avoid all types of cereals and pulses for the fasting hours. Onion or Garlic: During the fast, avoid onion, garlic and tamasic foods, consumption of which is believed to evoke restlessness and disrupt the devotional mode you're in. Negativity: When you're trying to be one with the Lord, refrain from anger, deceit and any form of negativity. Stay calm and devoted during the fast. Meal Plans The devotees observe three types of fasts: Nirjala Fast (no food or water consumed until midnight or Parana), Phalahar Fast (only water, fruits, milk and specific non-grain items) and Satvik Fast (no onion, garlic or grains to be eaten). Do not break your fast before the Nishita Puja or proper Parana time, which would nullify the entire practice. Devotees are also advised not to overindulge, eat in moderate amounts and maintain purity even after the fast is over. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
Janmashtami 2025: Food rules and do's and don'ts to follow while fasting
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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your New Zealand escape starts with Singapore Airlines Fly with Singapore Airlines Book Now Undo 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. All Images Courtesy: istock
New Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Rahul soothes frayed tempers in Mumbai Congress
No end to grand old party's electoral woes After losing the assembly elections, Congress in Maharashtra is trying to bounce back, but its half-hearted efforts under the leadership of political light-weight Harshvardhan Sapkal are not paying off. Therefore, the party cadre is looking at credible secular options either close to power or in power. Several senior Congress leaders and their supporters are in talks with the NCP, led by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Most party leaders do not see their future with the Congress, as it has slipped below a 10% vote share. It has been observed in several states, such as UP, Bihar and Tamil Nadu, that it is nearly impossible to bounce back once the Congress' vote share dips below 10%. Munde's search for solace continues Silence is the best option when everything is chaos around you. This is concerning NCP MLA and former minister Dhanjay Munde. He had to resign after his close aide Walmik Karad was found to have been the mastermind in the Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case. Since then, Munde has been seeking solace. Having lost the ministership, he also holds no key position in the party. He reportedly joined a fortnight-long Vipassana course at Igatpuri near Nashik, where he has to do something challenging for politicians to achieve: maintain silence for 8-10 hours during daily meditation and eat only Satvik food. Sudhir Suryawanshi Our correspondent in Maharashtra
New Indian Express
25-04-2025
- New Indian Express
Son's fever saves Odia couple, their five friends from terrorist attack in Pahalgam
BHUBANESWAR: Had it not been for the ill-health of 3-year-old Satvik, his parents and their five friends from Puri district would have faced the terror attack at Pahalgam's Baisaran valley. Since Satvik was suffering from fever, his parents Swarup Jena and Puja Sundaray, and their five friends had to wrap up their visit to the Baisaran valley in 30 minutes. This turned out to be the very reason they are alive today. The Odia tourists were barely 500 metre downhill from the valley when the attacks began. Belonging to various villages of Satyabadi block and Sakhigopal, they had travelled together to Srinagar on April 16 to spend a week at Jammu & Kashmir. Apart from Satvik and his parents, the group included sarpanch of Nuasameswarpur gram panchayat (GP) Prasanta Kumar Pani, sarpanch of Biraramachandrapur GP Barsarani Sethi and her husband Prasant Kumar Sethi, PS member of Jaypur GP Dipak Kumar Satpathy and Tofan Behera of Sriramchadrapur GP. Their last destination was Pahalgam before they returned to Odisha through Jammu and New Delhi on April 22. Escaping Pahalgam to reach Jammu, though, was a 15-hour ordeal owing to the terror attack. Relief came at the hands of MP Sambit Patra who stepped in to help the stranded tourists. The group arrived in Pahalgam on April 20 and on the fateful day, they decided to visit the Baisaran Valley. 'We hired seven mules and started heading to the valley which was an hour-long uphill journey. Satvik was already unwell and since the road was extremely muddy, the journey to Baisaran was tiring for him and all of us. When we reached Baisaran around noon, Satvik became restless,' recalled Prasanta. While Satvik's parents Swarup and Puja were already worried about their son's health, the couple saw some shepherds on the way carrying guns and there was no security around. 'We were terrified seeing them having guns. For some time, we were reluctant to proceed further. But the pony ride operators told us that it was normal and that visiting the valley was worth an experience. Reluctantly, we arrived at the valley,' said Puja. However, owing to the child's ill-health, they decided to wind up their valley visit in 30 minutes. The group had reached just 500 metre downhill when they heard gunshots. Confusing it for fireworks, they headed back to their hotel. 'On reaching the hotel after an hour, we were told that there had been a terrorist attack in the valley. Within a few hours, the security forces rushed in and there was chaos everywhere. We contacted MP Sambit Patra and told him about the situation. He immediately coordinated with Governor Manoj Sinha to take us out of Pahalgam,' said Prasanta. Since there were no tickets available for the next train to Delhi, the MP with help of Union Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw could manage three seats in Malwa Superfast Express from Jammu. With much difficulty, they reached Delhi on Wednesday night and Patra brought them to Odisha on Thursday.
