From diplomatic dinners to hectic political events, Narendra Modi’s strict Navratri fast

It is known that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fasted during Navratri since his youth. Every year, during both Chaitra and Sharad Navratri, he observes a strict nine-day fast and drinks only water, sometimes with lemon drops. Despite his busy schedule, he remains committed to this practice as a form of dedication and personal discipline.

There were cases when it was difficult to maintain the fast, but his strong willpower always helped him persevere. During a public meeting in Gujarat in 2022, Prime Minister Modi expressed in a lighter tone his regret over not being able to enjoy the famous ‘Surat nu jaman’ and Bhavnagari gathiya during his Gujarat tour during Navratri. The two-day visit was also hectic as usual and packed with events across the districts, from laying foundation stones for projects worth ₹29,000 crore to rides on the Vande Bharat Express and Ahmedabad Metro. He launched the National Games, inaugurated the Ahmedabad Metro and Dream City in Surat, laid the foundation stone of the world’s first CNG terminal in Bhavnagar and took part in the Navratri celebrations.

Here are some similar instances when his demanding schedule didn’t stop him from observing the Navratri fast.

President Obama’s Dinner

Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to the United States in September 2014 coincided with Navratri. President Obama hosted a private dinner in honor of the Indian Prime Minister. However, Prime Minister Modi maintained his discipline – despite a delicious Indian meal, he maintained his fast and consumed only water, much to the surprise of President Obama.

NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam, who was then a bureaucrat in the PMO, recalls, “We were in the US for about five days and throughout the visit, Prime Minister Modi consumed nothing but water. The day’s schedule was packed, starting with meetings at 8 a.m. until 9 or 10 p.m., including meetings with U.S. officials, the Indian diaspora and other appointments. His perseverance and commitment amazed not only us but also U.S. officials, especially given the demanding schedule.”

Madison Square Garden event and 700 selfies

During his visit to the US in 2014, PM Modi addressed the diaspora at Madison Square Garden and Central Park – all observing his fast. After the historic public meeting, a group of nearly 700 NRIs gathered to meet him at a special reception. Dr. Bharat Barai, one of the organizers of the event, recalls, “We knew that Modi Ji was fasting and were not sure if he would even meet us. But despite the fast, he took the time to pose for photos with nearly 700 guests from the Indian diaspora in the US immediately after the event at Madison Square Garden.”

Ram Rath Yatra of 1991

The historic Somnath to Ayodhya Rath Yatra led by LK Advani in 1991 took place during Navratri. Narendra Modi, then Gujarat BJP general secretary, was responsible for coordinating the Gujarat leg of the yatra while observing his Navratri fast. The Gujarat leg, which began from Somnath, was one of the most extensively organized stages, with the yatra passing through 600 villages. Modi traveled around the state taking care of all the arrangements without eating a single morsel of food.

Funeral of Shinzo Abe

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whom Prime Minister Modi considered a close friend, was killed in September 2022. Abe’s funeral was held on September 27 during Sharad Navratri. Despite his fast, Prime Minister Modi traveled to Japan to pay his last respects.

Lok Sabha election campaigns

All three Lok Sabha elections – 2014, 2019 and 2024 – fell during Chaitra Navratri. Despite the peak of the election campaign with several rallies across the country, Narendra Modi continued his fast during these crucial elections.

The royal lunch

Top badminton player Pullela Gopichand narrates an instance when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited India and he was invited to a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House in Delhi. “I sat at the table with the Prime Minister and several British dignitaries. There were around seven to eight of us and it happened to be Navratri. While we all ate, the Prime Minister quietly drank warm water and did not touch a single grain or fruit. His discipline and self-control, especially given his demanding schedule and the temptations around him, truly surprised the guests.”

Earthquake after Kutch

Narendra Modi became the chief minister of Gujarat in September 2001. Shortly after assuming office, he immediately focused on rebuilding Kutch after the earthquake. During Sharad Navratri in September 2001, CM Modi observed his fast and consumed only water. Amrutbhai Patel, a member of the Prime Minister’s team, recalls, “Our schedule was full from early morning to late night, visiting different parts of Kutch. Despite the demanding workload, CM Modi continued his Navratri training at a brisk pace. We had a bottle filled with water and lemon juice, into which I often added a few spoonfuls of honey. During lunch break, CM Modi sat alone while everyone else ate.”

His childhood friend Trilok Nayak recalls that Narendra Modi has been observing the Navratri fast since his early 20s. “Modi had a spiritual passion since childhood, which intensified after his time in the Himalayas and other spiritual centers in his late teens. Since then, he has strictly observed the Navratri fast.”