What makes Sendha namak fit for consumption during Fasts?

“Donnnnnnnnnnnn’t……" screamed my mom. Perplexed, I looked at her. Her eyes, fixated on mine, signaled a ‘no’. I was about to sprinkle salt over the home-made potato chips. But, the sudden squeal made the sprinkler fall from the clutches of my hand. “What are you doing?” she queried. “Areeeee, you only asked me to add salt to these chips, didn’t you?” I reasoned. “I asked you to add Sendha namak, but this is Table salt. Your full day Vrat would have been nullified had I not come”. 

True. Had she not turned up on time, my day long tapasya would have been in vain. Tapasya, since only when you are fasting, you find every cookie & sweet much more appealing. As if mocking at me, the chocolate in the fridge sits comfortably, akin to a queen. But not for long. I pledge to eat it at sharp 12 am.😋

This incident happened around 15 years back. We used to fast, more to savour the delicious 'kotu puris', luscious 'sabu-dana pakodas', delectable home-made 'aloo papad & chips' than because of the actual religious reasons. Even today, at times during the fast, I mistakenly hold the transparent, small salt bottle adorned at the dining table; only to be brought to senses by my wife.  

As I write this blog, India is celebrating Navratri festival, and today again I am fasting. I carefully avoid the table salt and use the sendha namak instead, in the food. But did you ever contemplate as to why we use Rock Salt (sendha namak) and not the Table salt during the fast? What is special about the light pinkish Lahori namak that makes it suitable to be consumed ? Read on to know about it.

Salt and spices - Favourites among us Indians

What is Sendha namak or Rock salt?

Sendha namak is derived from the word ‘Sindh’ as this salt was originally found in Sindh province i.e. areas close by the river Sindhu (or modern day Indus), in present day Pakistan. The  region has a ‘salt range’ with high deposits of the mineral. Another name for Sendha namak is ‘Lahori Namak’, as the salt was brought to India from the salt range via the Lahore city.

Rock salt fine crystals

Why is Sendha/Lahori namak used in Fasts?

Lahori or Sendha namak is called Rock salt as it is obtained from rocks. The salt mined from the rocks doesn’t undergo any sort of chemical processing nor is complemented with any additives. Hence, it is considered as pure form of salt and is used in fasts. In the natural form, it is colourless or white but due to the presence of other minerals, it may gain a pink, blue hue.

How does Rock salt differ from Black salt?

Kala namak or Black salt is a type of rock salt only but with a high degree of sulphur content. The sulphates impart the pungent smell (remember the rotten-eggs smelling gas- H₂S ?), while iron sulphide bestows the pink/violet colour to the salt. Sans the presence of the sulphates, black salt is like any other rock salt only.

Tale of the 'Table salt'

As you must already be aware, table salt is the refined form of the salt extracted from sea. The extracted salt undergoes ‘cleaning’ for the removal of impurities which also clears off some important minerals such as calcium and potassium. Iodine & anti-caking agent are added to the compound as well. The anti-caking agent prevents the formation of lumps in the salt. Finally, the refined salt reaches the market and becomes the essential dining table ornament.

Which salt is better for consumption?

Salt in its raw and natural form i.e. Rock salt is considered better due to minerals present in it. However, Table salt is Iodized (Iodine element is added during the refinement) which makes it ideal for people suffering from Iodine deficiency. Having said that, salt at the end is salt. We should consume it in a controlled fashion else its intake may result in high blood pressure problems. As per IndiaSpend, an Indian consumes 10.98 gm salt a day on an average, which is more than twice the recommended intake of 5 gm by WHO. 

Nerd Notes:

1. The salt-range in Pakistan runs 300 kms in length, has a highest peak of 1522 m and an average thickness of 500 m
2. The chemical name of Rock salt is Halite
3. The word salary is derived from the latin word salarium having the root as sal or salt

Wish you all a Happy Navratri and Ram Navmi. May God keep you and your near & dear ones in good health always.

Hope you liked the post. Keep smiling and don't forget to comment if some similar incident has happened with you as well. 😊

-Prakhar