Shivaratri - Science behind Fasting

February is the month where people get ready for the festival of Shiva, we often listen to mantras of Lord Shiva, his worship, preparation for the festival, decorating temples or Pooja rooms at house, chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’, speaking about fasting or Jagaran (night awakening) and so on. Especially in the year 2025 due to MAHAKUMBH the Shivaratri is celebrated grandly across the country in India.

There are many mythological stories for Shivaratri fasting and Jagaran, like the story of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati's marriage, another story of Lord Shiva drinking poison to protect the earth during Samudra Manthan, other classical story of Bedara Kannappa who was fasting whole day as he could not find any food, and so on. All stories have its own traditional meaning to it but similarly there is a scientific reason also for the fasting and Jagaran of Shivaratri in Ayurveda which is the practicality of the season.

Indian traditional festivals are always path to follow the seasonal regimen. Seasonal regimens are those to be followed in particular seasons to avoid diseases and to stay healthy. To remind such seasonal regimens our ancestors has created festivals in India. One festival food or traditional is just not meant for that festival but those are the guidelines to be followed until next festival date. Same it is with Mahashivaratri. It is well known fact in India that the peak summer starts after Shivaratri. The less known fact to people is that due to this rise in sun rays, mucus in our body melts just like how snow melts into water during summer. The dissolved mucus has to be excreted properly and we should not add on, and for this fasting or having light and less food and sleeping less and also avoiding day sleep will help to lower the mucus (kapha) in the body, this is what is said even during Shivaratri festival. We need to follow this until Ugadi so that we can get rid of unwanted mucus in the body. By following this we will not get any mucus (kapha) related diseases like cough, cold, skin diseases, itching, eczema, psoriasi, etc for next one year.

So not only Shivaratri, but also in the next few days, we have to fast, or eat less food, to get rid of our body's unwanted sputum without causing any disturbances.

In addition, Shivaratri dishes such as Mung dal Laddu, Tambittu, Basan Laddu, Sabudana, poha, Chickpea seasoning,  etc. all gives good nutrition with required amount of good protein to the body to aid in fasting and to relieve mucus. Remember - peanuts, semolina, dry fruits are not suitable for this season. These are not good for this season. Peanut laddu, rava laddu, dry fruit Chiki or laddu are Shivaratri cuisine born just for taste without any scientific reason these are not good to eat so please do not prepare nor eat, because these increases body's sputum and mucus is further enhanced and creates kapha related diseases.

Shivaratri recipe - Mungdal laddu

Required Ingredients:

1. Mung dal - 200 g

2. Ghee - 1/2 cup

3. Red candy sugar powder - 50 g

4. Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp

5. Cashews - 10

6. Dried grapes - 20

Method of Preparation:

Add one tablespoon of ghee in a kadai and roast the cashews and dried grapes and keep it on one side. Moong dal has to be roasted until it turns golden brown colour. Then powder in the mixer jar after it cools down. Sieve this powder well and remove the lumps. Add the powdered candy sugar and cardamom powder to this and also add half a cup of ghee along with dried grapes and cashews. Take all these in a big bowl, mix well and then prepare laddu’s.

This laddu can be eaten from Shivratri to Ugadi festival during day time one or two laddus. This is a source of good protein that we need during this season and helps to remove excess mucus from the body. This is the healthiest laddu, especially at the time of Shivaratri festival.

For more information contact Mahanasa Ayurveda, Bangalore.