There seems to have been about a hundred varieties of rice but only about 20 types are said to be existing. Navara is one of the 20.The rice is often powdered and then mixed with milk and taken in the form of a cereal.Navara also has religious significance and is sometimes used in temples for ceremonies. Navara has an important place in the Ayurvedic system of treatment and is used alone or in combination with other herbs to treat many diseases.