❓ What is the significance of fasting during Hindu festivals?

Fasting (upavasa) during festivals combines spiritual practice with health benefits. The Bhagavad Gita (6.17) advocates moderate habits in eating for spiritual progress.

Traditional fasting practices typically involve:

• Complete abstinence from certain foods
• Eating only specific sattvic foods
• Limiting meals to once daily
• Observing silence or meditation

Modern science confirms the benefits of periodic fasting, including improved insulin sensitivity, cellular repair through autophagy, and enhanced mental clarity. This demonstrates how ancient practices encoded health wisdom through religious observances.