Which salt can we eat in Navratri fast? Understanding Sendha Namak

January 12, 2026 •

3 min read

Millions of Indians fast during Navratri each year, following a diet tied to ancient traditions and spiritual beliefs. An important question for observers is which salt can we eat in Navratri fast? The answer is Sendha Namak, or rock salt, which is endorsed for its purity and health benefits.

Quick Summary

Sendha Namak (rock salt) is the accepted seasoning for Navratri and other Hindu fasts, preferred for its purity and unprocessed nature. It is considered sattvic, in contrast to chemically processed regular table salt.

Key Points

Sendha Namak is Key: Sendha Namak, or rock salt, is the only salt permitted during the Navratri fast, not regular table salt.
Pure and Unprocessed: Unlike refined table salt, Sendha Namak is a natural, unprocessed mineral, making it ideal for the sattvic diet followed during fasting.
Supports Electrolyte Balance: Its rich mineral content, including potassium and magnesium, helps maintain electrolyte balance and prevents dehydration during a fast.
Gentle on Digestion: Ayurveda considers rock salt cooling and light on the digestive system, a benefit during periods of reduced eating.
Enhances Natural Flavors: Sendha Namak has a mild taste that enhances the natural flavors of fasting dishes without overpowering them.
Avoids Additives: Fasting rules prohibit chemically processed ingredients; Sendha Namak is free from the additives found in common table salt.

The Significance of Sendha Namak in Navratri

During Navratri, followers embrace a sattvic diet, which emphasizes foods that are pure, natural, and easy to digest. This makes the choice of salt particularly important. Regular table salt, which comes from seawater and undergoes industrial processing, is considered tamasic, or negative, and is avoided. Instead, people use Sendha Namak, a rock salt mined in its raw, crystalline form from ancient deposits, mainly in the Himalayan region.

Unlike its processed counterpart, Sendha Namak has no chemical treatments, anti-caking agents, or other additives, which aligns with the sattvic principles of the Navratri fast. The mineral composition of Sendha Namak is different and more beneficial during reduced food intake. It contains trace minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which are crucial for maintaining electrolyte balance and hydration, especially during longer fasting periods.

Why Tradition Favors Rock Salt Over Table Salt

For centuries, the use of Sendha Namak during religious fasts has been a practice based on cultural and physiological reasons:

Purity: As a naturally occurring mineral, Sendha Namak is believed to be purer and closer to nature, making it ideal for a spiritual cleanse.
Digestibility: Ayurveda says that Sendha Namak has a cooling effect on the body and is gentler on the digestive system compared to sea salt, which is considered hot in potency. This is important during fasting when the digestive system is less active.
Electrolyte Balance: During a fast, the body's electrolyte levels can drop. The natural minerals in Sendha Namak help replenish these electrolytes, preventing muscle cramps, fatigue, and headaches.
Flavor Profile: The mild, earthy flavor of Sendha Namak enhances the taste of vrat (fasting) dishes like sabudana khichdi and fruit chaat, allowing the ingredients' natural flavors to shine.

Practical Uses of Sendha Namak During Navratri

Sendha Namak is versatile and can season many fasting-compliant foods. Here are dishes where it can replace regular salt:

Vrat-Friendly Flours: Use it to season dishes made with buckwheat flour (kuttu ka atta), water chestnut flour (singhare ka atta), and amaranth flour (rajgire ka atta).
Sabudana Preparations: Season sabudana khichdi, vadas, or kheer with Sendha Namak.
Vegetables and Fruits: It pairs well with boiled or fried potatoes, sweet potatoes, and roasted makhana (fox nuts). It's also used to season fruit chaat.
Hydrating Beverages: A pinch can be added to lemon water, buttermilk, or coconut water to help maintain hydration and mineral levels.

Sendha Namak vs. Regular Table Salt for Fasting

Here's a comparison to clarify why one is permitted and the other is not:


Feature	Sendha Namak (Rock Salt)	Regular Table Salt (Sea Salt)
Source	Mined from ancient rock salt deposits.	Prepared by evaporating seawater and through chemical processes.
Purity	Unprocessed and natural, free from chemical additives.	Heavily processed, refined, and often contains anti-caking agents.
Composition	Contains trace minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium.	Primarily sodium chloride, with added iodine for health reasons.
Digestive Impact	Considered gentle and cooling on the digestive system.	Classified as tamasic and can be more taxing on the digestive system.
Navratri Status	Considered sattvic and permitted during fasting.	Strictly avoided during Navratri and other Hindu fasts.

A Note of Caution

While Sendha Namak is a healthy option for fasting, it should be consumed in moderation. Long-term use of rock salt, which has less iodine than iodized table salt, could lead to iodine deficiency. For those with health conditions, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable regarding dietary changes during prolonged fasts.

Conclusion

For those observing the Navratri fast, understanding which salt can we eat in Navratri fast is crucial for tradition and health. Sendha Namak is the ideal choice because of its purity, alignment with sattvic principles, and its role in maintaining the body's mineral balance during reduced food intake. By choosing this unprocessed alternative, devotees can ensure food remains pure and easy to digest, which complements the festival's spiritual nature. Explore resources on sattvic dietary practices for more insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Regular table salt is not allowed because it is industrially processed and refined, often with added chemicals and iodine, which is contrary to the purity and sattvic principles of the Navratri fast.

Sendha Namak is also commonly known as rock salt, Himalayan pink salt, or vrat ka namak (fasting salt).

Yes, Sendha Namak helps replenish electrolytes, aids digestion, and is considered beneficial for maintaining blood pressure due to its potassium content.

Yes, Sendha Namak can be used to season any food that is permitted during the Navratri fast, including sabudana khichdi, kuttu puris, and fruit chaat.

Yes, Sendha Namak is often referred to as pink Himalayan salt, as it is mined from ancient rock salt deposits in the Himalayan region.

No, consuming salt does not break the fast. Since it has no calories and does not spike insulin, it is essential for maintaining electrolyte balance during longer fasts.

While it can be used for daily cooking, it is important to remember that Sendha Namak has less iodine than iodized table salt. Prolonged and exclusive use without other sources of iodine could potentially lead to a deficiency.