Significance of Sweets Prepared on Raksha bandhan/ Narali Paurnima







Raksha Bandhan and Narali Paurnima falls on the same day. Narali Paurnima is celebrated by Fishermans in Maharashtra (India) in the month of Shravan (Savan- July-Aug/ monsoon). If you carefully notice, on most of the festivals in india, food to celebrate those festival is somewhere related to ayurveda or designed according to the rules given in ayurveda, geographical conditions and climate. 

According To Ayurveda our digestive system slows down during these months and hence we are not supposed to consume heavy meals or food during this period. One more important thing is Vaata dosha aggravates during this period. Sweets prepared on Raksha bandhan or Narali Paurnima falls into the same category. 

Usually people make Narali Bhat, Naral Karanji, Nariyal Barfi on this day. (Properties of Modak prepared on Ganesh Chaturthi is also similar to these sweets.)
Common ingredients used in all these sweets are Nariyal (coconut), Jaggery (gud) or Sugar and Ghee. 

As we have already mentioned above that Vaata dosha gets aggravated in the month of July - August, due to monsoon in Indian Continent, ghee works the best to pacify the same. Ghee helps to keep digestive tract lubricated. Since milk or milk product (which are heavy to digest and because of bacterial infection during monsoon) are not recommended during this season, ghee and other options for sweets are included. Good fats included in ghee, goodness of juggery and rice makes perfect combination (low glycemic index and full of nutrients) and it does not rise blood sugar suddenly. 

So, you can definitely indulge in your favorite sweets like Sweet Nariyal Rice, Nariyal Karanji (Nariyal Stuffed Gujiya), Nariyal Barfi in this season but make sure you do not over indulge. Smartness is in keeping your portion small while eating these sweets.  

Happy Raksha bandhan/ Narali Paurnima. .......Do not overeat :)

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