Festive Rituals To Look Your Best

Rituals are an integral part of any festival; in fact, festivals would be incomplete without them. It's fascinating to discover the deeper meaning and significance underlying these traditions, and the benefits you will experience when you follow them.

- Kayal Arivalan and Rajrupa Biswas

India is a diverse nation with festivals that are enthusiastically observed across the country. These celebrations from different faiths have special, highly-valued rituals that have been passed down generations; there has been evidence of traditions in ancient India associated with festivals as well as seasons. Interestingly, down the ages, we have perhaps lost the knowledge of the benefits these rituals have for beauty, health and well-being. Here is a list of some common rituals practised at festivals that are beneficial for our skin, hair and health.

FASTING DURING NAVRATRI

During the nine days of the festival, people get dressed in traditional attire, offer special prayers to nine different forms of the Goddess Durga, and observe a fast. Fasting during Navratri is considered auspicious since it symbolises the beginning of a new season. Fasting also benefits your overall health and well-being. "Navratri is a festival honouring the Goddess Durga, who emerged victorious from the battle against adharma, but it is also a reminder that we must honour and celebrate our body, the warrior who unconditionally shields us from diseases," reveals Dr Archana Sukumaran (BAMS) with Kerala Ayurveda. "Both Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri are celebrated during major seasonal transitions. During such a significant season change, or ritusandhi, our immunity and agni (digestive fire) are weak. In Ayurveda, since mandagni (impaired digestive fire) is the root cause of all diseases, it is vital to maintain good metabolism to prevent diseases. Therefore, correcting agni is a way of avoiding illness. Fasting is an excellent way to rekindle the dormant agni and allow it to digest undigested food. It improves metabolism and reduces the accumulation of toxins."