Hindu devotees across India flocked to temples to mark the first day of Navratri, the festival of nine nights dedicated to mother goddess Durga in which devotees worship all her manifestations. Marking the beginning of the traditional new year, in Maharashtra and Goa people celebrated Gudi Padwa.

Festival Highlights: Navratri, Gudi Padwa celebrations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a non-stop schedule at all times, even as he crisscrossed the country, holding Lok Sabha election rallies during the nine-day festival of Navratras.

The prime minister, while fasting, travelled 22,000 kilometres across 13 states, holding 23 rallies during Navratras according to sources in charge of planning PM Modi's election rallies.

Sources in the PMO say, his official work never stopped and he would return to Delhi after a full day's campaign of three to four rallies to look into the matters that demand immediate attention.

Prime Minister Modi, amidst hectic political activities at home, congratulated the leadership in the Maldives and President Benjamin Netanyahu on the successful electoral result in Israel.

He also thanked President Vladimir Putin and the people of Russia, for receiving the Order of St. Andrew, sources added.

However, Prime Minister Modi is not the only one with this hectic travel schedule. With an election that is coming down to the wire, frenetic campaigning and backbreaking travel itineraries have been planned for Rahul Gandhi as well, as he travels across the country addressing rallies.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a non-stop schedule at all times, even as he crisscrossed the country, holding Lok Sabha election rallies during the nine-day festival of Navratras.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a non-stop schedule at all times, even as he crisscrossed the country, holding Lok Sabha election rallies during the nine-day festival of Navratras. The prime minister, while fasting, travelled 22,000 kilometres across 13 states, holding 23 rallies during Navratras according to sources in charge of planning PM Modi's election rallies. Sources in the PMO say, his official work never stopped and he would return to Delhi after a full day's campaign of three to four rallies to look into the matters that demand immediate attention. Prime Minister Modi, amidst hectic political activities at home, congratulated the leadership in the Maldives and President Benjamin Netanyahu on the successful electoral result in Israel. He also thanked President Vladimir Putin and the people of Russia, for receiving the Order of St. Andrew, sources added. However, Prime Minister Modi is not the only one with this hectic travel schedule. With an election that is coming down to the wire, frenetic campaigning and backbreaking travel itineraries have been planned for Rahul Gandhi as well, as he travels across the country addressing rallies.

22,000 kilometres, 13 states and 23 rallies: PM Modi's jam-packed schedule while fasting during Navratri

Today marks the onset of Navratri, one of the most significant and much-awaited Hindu festivals. Devotees all across the country will be observing fasts and offer prayers to celebrate and seek blessings from nine avatars of Goddess Durga.&nbsp;

Navratri falls twice every year according to the Hindu calendar and this particular festival coincides with the joyous festival of Durga Puja that is celebrated by the Bengali community with much fervour.&nbsp;

Devotees all across celebrate the holy festival in different ways, while some refrain from consuming alcohol or non-vegetarian items, many others even give up on using garlic and onion while prepping their meals during these nine days. Others choose to fast on the first and the last day of the festival and many decide to go on fasting for all nine days.&nbsp;

This Navratri, if you plan to fast for all days, do it smartly. We share some quick tips that can easily be followed to make fasting fun this festive season.&nbsp;

Small, regular meals

Remember, fasting doesn't mean going without food, there are a host of 'vrat-friendly'&nbsp;ingredients that you can play around during this period to cook up delicious, nutritionally-rich meals.&nbsp;

Eat small but regular meals. Include rock salt in your diet, load up on plenty of fluids like juices, buttermilk, coconut water, et cetera.&nbsp;

Cut down on caffeine, sugar

Since most of your regular food items will be off-grid for these nine days, it is advisable to go easy on your&nbsp;caffeine. In general also, experts suggest not exceeding your daily caffeine intake over 400mg. Limit your sugar intake as well to ensure avoiding any spike in blood sugar levels; stay hydrated.&nbsp;

Options galore

Think fasting means no flours? Think again. There is a range of ingredients that can be turned into flours and used for making sumptuous delicacies. Buckwheat, water caltrop (singhada) and amaranth (ramdana) are available as flours as well and can be worked into pooris, parathas or even pakoras to entice your tastebuds this Navratri.&nbsp;

Snack smart

The market shelves are loaded with 'vrat-friendly'&nbsp;snacks around this time of the year. Read your labels and avoid consuming excess sugar and processed ingredients in the name of 'low-fat', fast-friendly' options. Stay away from chips or other processed snacks and satisfy hunger pangs by cooking with nutritious items like foxnuts (makhana), amaranth, nuts and dry fruits, buckwheat, singhara, fresh fruits and dairy products.&nbsp;

Ensure optimum health this Navratri while taking the full joy of participating in the festivities and ceremonies.&nbsp;

Today marks the onset of Navratri, one of the most significant and much-awaited Hindu festivals. Devotees all across the country will be observing fasts and offer prayers to celebrate and seek blessings from nine avatars of Goddess Durga.

Today marks the onset of Navratri, one of the most significant and much-awaited Hindu festivals. Devotees all across the country will be observing fasts and offer prayers to celebrate and seek blessings from nine avatars of Goddess Durga. Navratri falls twice every year according to the Hindu calendar and this particular festival coincides with the joyous festival of Durga Puja that is celebrated by the Bengali community with much fervour. Devotees all across celebrate the holy festival in different ways, while some refrain from consuming alcohol or non-vegetarian items, many others even give up on using garlic and onion while prepping their meals during these nine days. Others choose to fast on the first and the last day of the festival and many decide to go on fasting for all nine days. This Navratri, if you plan to fast for all days, do it smartly. We share some quick tips that can easily be followed to make fasting fun this festive season. Small, regular meals Remember, fasting doesn't mean going without food, there are a host of 'vrat-friendly' ingredients that you can play around during this period to cook up delicious, nutritionally-rich meals. Eat small but regular meals. Include rock salt in your diet, load up on plenty of fluids like juices, buttermilk, coconut water, et cetera. Cut down on caffeine, sugar Since most of your regular food items will be off-grid for these nine days, it is advisable to go easy on your caffeine. In general also, experts suggest not exceeding your daily caffeine intake over 400mg. Limit your sugar intake as well to ensure avoiding any spike in blood sugar levels; stay hydrated. Options galore Think fasting means no flours? Think again. There is a range of ingredients that can be turned into flours and used for making sumptuous delicacies. Buckwheat, water caltrop (singhada) and amaranth (ramdana) are available as flours as well and can be worked into pooris, parathas or even pakoras to entice your tastebuds this Navratri. Snack smart The market shelves are loaded with 'vrat-friendly' snacks around this time of the year. Read your labels and avoid consuming excess sugar and processed ingredients in the name of 'low-fat', fast-friendly' options. Stay away from chips or other processed snacks and satisfy hunger pangs by cooking with nutritious items like foxnuts (makhana), amaranth, nuts and dry fruits, buckwheat, singhara, fresh fruits and dairy products. Ensure optimum health this Navratri while taking the full joy of participating in the festivities and ceremonies.

Navratri 2018: Keep these quick tips handy to fast the healthy way 

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