Why do we plant Barley (]au) During the Navratras?

On the first day of the Navaratri, grains of barley are planted in the puja room of the house. A small bed of soil is prepared in which barley seeds are sown after the puja has been performed. It is watered every day. After the puja on the tenth day, the shoots are pulled out and given to devotees as a blessing of Devi Durga. The origin of this custom can be traced to the Ramayana.

According to It, Shree Rama preyed to the nine different forms of Devi to be able to kill Ravana. He then acquired the power to slay Ravana on the tenth day, which is day of Vijay-Dashami. Studies over the years have proven the sagacity of our forefathers. Science has now confirmed that these tiny green shoots are rich in vitamin A, C, K, B-complex and proteins. They contain about seventeen amino acids and a high percentage of chlorophyll, which can tackle most of the blood/hemoglobin related problems in the human body. It is rich in oxygen and therefore is a natural purifying agent. It cleanses heavy metals from the body which is essential for a healthy body.