लंघनेन क्षयं नीते दोषे संधुक्षिते अनले।

विज्वरत्वं लघुत्वं च क्षुत् चैव आस्योपजायते ।।

प्राणाविरोधिना चैनं लंघनेनोपपादयेत् ।।

बलाधिष्ठानं आरोग्यं यदर्थोऽयं क्रियाक्रमः ।।

Fasting reduces the Dosh (disturbed Vaat, Pitt, Kaph as well toxins) in the body.

Ignites the appetite.

Keeps away fever (Jwar) from body, makes you feel lighter, improves the willingness to eat.

When fasting is done in proper way, that is without letting it threaten the life, it is the source of power, energy and good health.

According to Ayurved, fasting rekindles the digestive fire. An increase in the digestive fire burns the toxins in the body. When the toxins are flushed out of the body, it loses dullness and lethargy. All the cells of the body are rejuvenated. Fasting therefore, is an effective therapy to cleanse our body. When the body is cleansed, the mind becomes calmer and more peaceful because of the deep connection between the body and mind.

Usually, most of us don’t wait to feel hungry. Hunger is the way our body indicates that it is prepared to digest food. Eating even before feeling hungry weakens the digestive system, which in turn leads to stress and poor immunity. As fasting rekindles the digestive fire, it helps in de-stressing and building up immunity.

So fast not only to please the divine, but to cleanse our body.

"अभ्यङ्गमाचरेन्नित्यं स जराश्रमवातहा । दृष्टिप्रसादपुष्ट्यायु:स्वप्नसुत्वक्त्वदार्ढ्यकृत्।।"  अ. हृ. सू. २/७

Abhyang that is Oil Application is one of the important rituals followed in Diwali festival. The actual benefits of an Ayurvedic Oil application aren’t known to us. An Abhyang leads to an Increase in Sattva Guna and decrease in Raja and Tama. During the days of Diwali, an abhyang snan reaps 6% more benefits than on other days. Although in Ayurved it is said that Abhyang should be done every day. It not only is beneficial for skin but also it has an unusual capacity to Increase an immunity in human body. It rejuvenates the body thus slows real down the aging process. It reduces fatigue.

It also destroys the defective Vaat in body which recovers and prevents Vaat diseases and associated problems such as pain and stiffness etc.  It boosts in the functioning of the nervous system and does considerable improvement in sleep patterns. The fragrance also helps in balancing Pitta dosh which is in an aggravated form due to the seasonal changes. Along with skin tone it improves eye sight and stability in body. 

Diwali sweets and snacks are based on Ayurvedic principles too. If one of the ingredients in the sweets is dry in nature, there’s other that counters the effects of the dry ingredients. The sweets and snacks help us in controlling the dryness of the body which is caused by the changing weather. This diet and daily routine isn’t just meant for Diwali days, it is supposed to be followed throughout fall and winter season to stay healthy and balanced.

  Ayurved strongly believes that health cannot be gained without spiritual well-being. Thus, most of the Indian festivals are designed such that all the aspects are taken care of leading to mental, physical and spiritual well-being. With the changing lifestyles, most of these intelligently crafted rituals have been long-forgotten. It’s time we looked back to carefully preserve the traditional wealth passed down to us by our ancestors.

May light triumph over darkness May peace transcend the earth May Ayurved regain its lost glory May the spirit of light illuminate the world