Continuing the tradition of 80+ years of serving satvik thali (upvas /fasting) special thali on Mahashivratri, the Poona Guest House (PGH) will now have this special menu at their outlet at Pavillion Mall, Senapati Bapat Road.
According to pundits following the tradition of fasting across India for Maha-Shivratri is special, and it needs certain kind of food to be eaten to purify the body.
While some fast by eating milk and fruits, while others fast by drinking pure water. Fasting with a little fruit and water or fasting with a light diet to digest will keep the body light.
According to Sanat Sarpotdar, the Maharashtrian Upvas menu fits perfectly to sustain and keep your body light. It is said that this shivratri vrat or upvas helps in detoxifies the body and purifies the mind, helps in keeping the mind relax, hence we are offering sabudana khichdi, Varaycha tandul, Danayachi Aamti, Upvasachya puri, Shrikhand, Upvasachi bataachi bhaji, batata papad, Naryalchi chutney and khamang kakadi as a thali.
There is also a legend behind why people fast during Mahashivratri.
The devas (Gods) and asuras (demons) were always at war with each other. However, in a rare show of solidarity, on the advice of Lord Vishnu, they churned the Ocean of Milk together for amrita, the nectar of immortality. As they used Vasuki, the serpent king, who sits on Lord Shiva’s neck, as a rope, the first thing that came out of it was the poison. The devas and asuras prayed to Lord Shiva requesting his help. The Lord drank all the poison and saved them.
His consort, Goddess Parvati, was worried that the poison would enter the Lord’s body and cause him pain. So, she held His throat to stop the poison from spreading, for one day and one night, which is why he turned blue (and earning the name Neelakantha). Since Parvati fasted the entire day and night at this time, it has become an age-old tradition to fast and stay awake all night during Mahashivratri.
MAHASHIVRATRI SPL. Upvas Thali available at Poona Guest House #PGHEXPRESS The Pavillion Pune, SB Road, LG. Floor.
Date- 1st March 2022
Price per Thali – 300/-
(Limited thali)
