Foods You Should Avoid During

Shradh

Quick Summary

During the period of Shradh, it is important to follow a sattvic diet: pure, simple, and freshly prepared food. While observing this time, you should ensure that items like onions, garlic, eggplant, and meat are excluded from your meals. There are specific spiritual reasons behind avoiding these foods during this period.

Deep Dive   

In Hinduism, there are many festivities and auspicious time periods that call for maintaining spiritual purity. One such time period is Pitru Paksha or Shradh, during which Hindus pay homage to their ancestors through ceremonies and offerings. An important part of this observance involves adhering to dietary restrictions, as certain foods are considered inauspicious and may harm the value of the rituals.

The most commonly known restricted food items during Shradh are onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food. However, when you explore the deeper significance behind these traditions, you'll come across several other foods that are also avoided. Many people believe they’re doing enough by skipping onions, garlic, and meat, but to fully observe Shradh, here are the food items that are completely off-limits.

Onion & Garlic

Due to onion and garlic’s Ayurvedic classification as tamasic and rajasic, respectively, these two pantry staples are off-limits during Shradh. They may cause agitation and anger, which would be bad for Pitru Paksha's peaceful nature.

Mushroom

Some people consider mushrooms to be no less than meat. Yes, they are tasty, but are not often included in the offerings made during Shradh. Their growth on dead organic debris gives them a reputation for being tamasic and unclean, the last impression you want to leave while honouring your forefathers.

Meat and Fish

Just like during any sacred time period, people who observe restrictions during Shradh must refrain from consuming meat, fish, and eggs, as these are strictly prohibited. These foods are considered tamasic, meaning they are believed to promote lethargy and ignorance, qualities that can disrupt the spiritual atmosphere needed to connect with one’s ancestors.

Brinjal

Surprised to find a vegetable on the list? Shradh is a time when many Hindu families avoid eating brinjal (eggplant), not only because of its high water content but also due to its association with impurity in many households. It is believed to disrupt the subtle energies present during this sacred tithi.

Leftover Foods

Old or improperly cooked food is not sattvic. For Shradh ceremonies, only foods that have been recently cooked are acceptable. Hence, never eat leftovers or fermented foods. Keeping the sacrifices you make to your ancestors as pure and fresh as possible is a way to show them how much you value them.

Lentils 

The thick, tamasic character of certain lentils makes them undesirable; masoor dal and rajma are two such examples. The lighter and sattvic friendly urad dal or chana dal, on the other hand, are acceptable. Some families even avoid adding common spices to their food, such as black salt and cumin seeds, which are traditionally used in preparing dals.

Alcohol 

During this period of deep spirituality, mental clarity is highly valued. Anything that includes alcohol or has the potential to cause intoxication is a strict no. Such substances are considered impure, as they are believed to cloud the mind, something seen as disrespectful during this sacred time.

Strong Spices

People avoid spices like red chilli and black pepper because they are believed to have the potential to create agitation in the mind and body. During Shradh, the main goal is to ensure that everything remains calm, balanced, and sattvic.

Let’s Maintain Purity During Shradh

The coming generation might view Pitru Paksha eating restrictions as mere formalities. However, it is the duty of elders to help them understand how these practices offer an opportunity to learn reverence, humility and self-control. Purposefully avoiding certain foods is a way to focus on your ancestors and the legacy they left behind. During this time, we are reminded of the deep connections between food, faith and family.