Chaitra Navratri, an auspicious Hindu festival, has begun today, Sunday, March 30, 2025, and will go on till Monday, April 7.

Chaitra Navratri: Nine-Day festival honours Goddess Durga's incarnations

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has directed a ban on the sale of meat within 500 metres of religious places ahead of the beginning of the nine-day Chaitra Navratri festival.&nbsp; The UP government has also ordered the closure of illegal slaughterhouses ahead of the Chaitra Navratri festival, as per a government statement released on Saturday. Besides, special restrictions will be imposed for Ram Navami on April 6, when animal slaughter and the sale of meat will be completely banned, reports news agency PTI. After the UP government order, the principal secretary of the Urban Development Department, Amrit Abhijat, has directed all the district magistrates, police commissioners, and municipal commissioners to immediately close the slaughterhouses and enforce the ban on meat sale near religious places. The nine-day Hindu festival of Chaitra Navratri, dedicated to Goddess Durga, begins on Sunday (March 30) and ends on April 7.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-are-muslims-in-india-wearing-black-armbands-during-alvida-namaz-8900835">Why are Muslims in India wearing black armbands during Alvida namaz?</a> Citing the orders issued in 2014 and 2017, the Yogi Adityanath government has clarified that illegal animal slaughter and the sale of meat near religious places will be completely prohibited. District-level committees have been formed under the chairmanship of district magistrates and include officials from the police, Pollution Control Board, Animal Husbandry Department, Transport Department, Labour Department, Health Department, and Food Safety Administration.
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/yeshu-yeshu-pastor-found-guilty-in-2018-sexual-harassment-case-by-punjab-court-8900478" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;Yeshu Yeshu pastor&rsquo; found guilty in 2018 sexual harassment case by Punjab court</a> Under the provisions of the UP Municipal Corporation Act 1959 and the Food Safety Act 2006 and 2011, the Yogi Adityanath government has directed the officials to take strict punitive action against the violators, the statement said. Meanwhile, a similar order was issued in Maihar district in Madhya Pradesh banning the sale of meat, fish and eggs until April 7. Maihar has a famous shrine of goddess Maa Sharda.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam urged authorities in Mumbai to shut down roadside meat, fish, and mutton shops out of respect for religious sentiments.

India News: Under the provisions of the UP Municipal Corporation Act 1959 and the Food Safety Act 2006 and 2011, the Yogi Adityanath government has directed the officials to take strict punitive action against the violators.

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has directed a ban on the sale of meat within 500 metres of religious places ahead of the beginning of the nine-day Chaitra Navratri festival. The UP government has also ordered the closure of illegal slaughterhouses ahead of the Chaitra Navratri festival, as per a government statement released on Saturday. Besides, special restrictions will be imposed for Ram Navami on April 6, when animal slaughter and the sale of meat will be completely banned, reports news agency PTI. After the UP government order, the principal secretary of the Urban Development Department, Amrit Abhijat, has directed all the district magistrates, police commissioners, and municipal commissioners to immediately close the slaughterhouses and enforce the ban on meat sale near religious places. The nine-day Hindu festival of Chaitra Navratri, dedicated to Goddess Durga, begins on Sunday (March 30) and ends on April 7. Also read | Why are Muslims in India wearing black armbands during Alvida namaz? Citing the orders issued in 2014 and 2017, the Yogi Adityanath government has clarified that illegal animal slaughter and the sale of meat near religious places will be completely prohibited. District-level committees have been formed under the chairmanship of district magistrates and include officials from the police, Pollution Control Board, Animal Husbandry Department, Transport Department, Labour Department, Health Department, and Food Safety Administration. Also Read | ‘Yeshu Yeshu pastor’ found guilty in 2018 sexual harassment case by Punjab court Under the provisions of the UP Municipal Corporation Act 1959 and the Food Safety Act 2006 and 2011, the Yogi Adityanath government has directed the officials to take strict punitive action against the violators, the statement said. Meanwhile, a similar order was issued in Maihar district in Madhya Pradesh banning the sale of meat, fish and eggs until April 7. Maihar has a famous shrine of goddess Maa Sharda. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam urged authorities in Mumbai to shut down roadside meat, fish, and mutton shops out of respect for religious sentiments.

Yogi govt bans meat sale within 500 metres of religious places ahead of Navratri

Chaitra Navratri will begin on April 9 this year and continue for nine days. These days are significant for Hindus in India, as it also marks the beginning of a new year in the Hindu calendar.

Chaitra Navratri will begin on April 9 this year and continue for nine days. These days are significant for Hindus in India, as it also marks the beginning of a new year in the Hindu calendar. People worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga during these nine days. According to the Hindu scriptures, Goddess Durga comes to Earth for these nine days and fulfils all the wishes of her devotees. Chaitra Navratri will end with Ram Navami on April 17 this year. Why do Hindus avoid onion and garlic during Chaitra Navratri? Hindus follow a sattvic diet during the nine-day festival and avoid eating rajasic and tamasic foods like onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food. Sattvic foods means vegetarian dishes prepared using only wholesome, organic, plant-based and dairy products. It strictly prohibits all animal meat and comprises fruits, nuts, vegetable seeds, milk, and legumes. ALSO READ | Delhi government announces dry days for religious festivals and Lok Sabha polls. See the complete list Apart from sattvic, there are two other types of foods according to Ayurveda: rajasic and tamasic. Sattavic food is pure, clean, natural, vital and conscious. Onion and garlic are considered tamasic in nature and are believed to increase sexual energy in the body. Hindus also consider garlic as rajogini, a substance believed to make one lose grip over instincts. Moreover, they believe that onions produce heat in the body. During the Chaitra Navratri celebrations, devotees denounce worldly pleasures and adopt a pure and simple life. They don't eat rajasic and tamasic foods to focus more on worship. Thus, most households avoid onion and garlic during these days. Many people believe that onion and garlic reduce spiritual awareness. People avoid buying items like electronics, weapons, and iron during these nine days. Many families also stop buying and eating rice because several people fast for nine days and consumption of grains is forbidden during fasting. (With inputs from agencies)

Chaitra Navratri 2024: Here's why Hindus don't eat onion and garlic during the nine-day festival

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Chaitra Navratri: Nine-Day festival honours Goddess Durga's incarnations

Yogi govt bans meat sale within 500 metres of religious places ahead of Navratri

Chaitra Navratri 2024: Here's why Hindus don't eat onion and garlic during the nine-day festival