Oh man, mom reminded me it’s Navratri again now, from March 30 to April 7. I really thought it was supposed to be in September or October, but it just occurred to me that we Hindus observe it twice a year. Good thing I didn’t tell her I forgot; she’s probably fasting for Navratri and would be super moody and hangry. But OK, at least no one is forcing me to fast. That’s easy enough. I mean, we are celebrating the goddess Durga and her strength in defeating an evil demon, so the least I can do is be vegetarian for nine days. And it’s good for my health too to eat pure foods.
I guess we can make paneer for dinner tonight. Am I supposed to avoid garlic, onion, and some spices too? I think that’s what mom said. I should have really paid more attention to her when she was trying to teach me things. Something about garlic and onion being heavy foods that cause negativity in the mind and interfere with spiritual balance. But I’m sure it will still taste fine without it. This Navratri is going to be easy!
Ugh, is it time to think of dinner again? It has been three days of bland paneer, surely there must be something else I can eat. Oh, I have Ruby’s birthday dinner tonight at that new tapas restaurant.
Should I cancel? No, it’s OK, there will be other Indians there so they will probably be vegetarian too. But I’m supposed to bring the cake! Let me call my eggless cake lady just to be safe.
Hi, Ruby! Happy birthday! No, no, I won’t be drinking tonight. It’s Navratri! We aren’t supposed to have alcohol, right? Yes, I’ll be vegetarian, it’s no problem. I’ve already been keeping jae for four days. Oh, you aren’t doing Navratri this time? It’s fine, I can just order my own dish.
Hmm, there doesn’t seem to be anything vegetarian on this menu. Let me ask the waitress to swap the chicken with tofu. Oh, they only have egg tofu? The broth is simmered with meat already? And the sauce has shrimp flavouring? I guess it’s fine if I eat non-veg outside and just be vegetarian at home, right? It’s not like there’s a mandir at this restaurant. There’s no point in being too fussy and I’ve mostly been vegetarian anyway so, it’s the thought that counts.
That red wine is looking really refreshing. I’m already not drinking alcohol at home, so it won’t hurt if I drink outside, right? I mean, it’s made with grapes and that’s vegetarian. I’ll just say an extra prayer tomorrow. OK, one glass is fine, I’m still keeping Navratri, you know. Oops, I definitely had more than one glass of wine last night and a bit too much non-veg. I need this coffee today. Wait, am I supposed to avoid caffeine too? Whatever, no one is going to know. Argh, paneer again? Thank goodness it’s almost the ninth day of Navratri and I can end it with poori, chole, and halwa.
Why does this poori taste so amazing at the end of Navratri more than any other time? Finally, I can eat my normal food again now that I’ve broken the fast. Wait, what? I’m supposed to still be vegetarian for the whole last day?! No way, I’m going to go out for dinner today and I never want to see paneer again! Until the next Navratri in September, I suppose!
An unreformed party girl and mother of two, author, editor and observer Sumati Huber tries to make sense of our unique Thai-Indian society and the aunties that she will one day become.