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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

NAVARATHRI SPECIALS

SCROLL DOWN TO THE END OF THIS POST FOR SALT SUNDAL, SWEET SUNDAL AND THE RECIPE LINKS FOR THE ABOVE COLLAGE.

HAPPY NAVARATHRI. This year, Navarathri starts on 8th Oct 2010 and ends with Vijayadasami on 17th Oct 2010. What is the significance of Navarathri?


Navarathri reminds all women, who are the guardians of the family, culture, and integrity, to guide the family towards the path of justice, love, and divinity. Navarathri is celebrated all over India, Nepal and also Mauritius. Also known as Vijayadasami, Dasara, Dussehra in India & Mauritius and Dashain in Nepal. It is celebrated as “victory of good over evil”

"Nava" means nine and "Rathri" means night. And Navaratri is"nine nights". Goddess Durga is worshipped on the first three days of the festival. The next three days Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped and then Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on the last three days. The tenth day is "Vijayadasami". Vijaya means "victory", the victory over our own minds which comes when we worship these three goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Thus, Navarathri signifies our spiritual awakening.

Coming to the celebrations in South India, the interesting part is arranging Kolu for the festival. Steps made of wood or Readymade steps are arranged in the order 3, 5, 7 or 9 and the "Kolu Bommais" (earthen dolls) are arranged on the steps in a specific order. Kolams are drawn on mornings and evenings.

Daily pooja is conducted in the morning with chanting of slokas. In the evening many ladies are invited and will be offered "thamboolam". The prasadam or offering is in the evening, mostly sundal and ends in the night with "Arathi". "Saraswathi Pooja" and "Ayudha Pooja" is celebrated on the 9th day. Books, tools and musical instruments are kept in Pooja on "Saraswathi Pooja" day. Poojas are done for the vehicles at our home as it plays an important role in our daily life. Vijayadasami day is very auspicious for new ventures. Kids are enrolled in music classes, games classes etc. People gift their gurus with "vasthram"(clothes) and get their blessings.

The best part is the "Naivedhyam" and mostly the menu is Sundal(Sweet or Salt). Puttu is made on a Friday of Navarathri. Kondakadalai (Black chana dhal) sundal and appam is made on Saraswathi Pooja day. Some make kadalai urundai also. Payasam is also made daily.

SALT SUNDAL:
INGREDIENTS:
Any pulse of your choice- 1/4 kg.

TEMPERINGS:
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp.
Turmeric powder- a pinch.
Urad dhal - 1 tsp.
Dry red chillies - 1 0r 2
Scraped coconut - 1/4 cup
Hing
Salt - as per taste
Curry leaves - few
Oil - 1 teaspoon

METHOD: Cook the pulses as said here and temper with the given ingredients.

SWEET SUNDAL: This is made only with Karamani(cow peas) or Pachaipayaru(green gram)

Karamani or Pachaipayaru - 1 cup
Crushed jaggery - 3 teaspoon

TEMPERINGS:
Oil - 1 teaspoon
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp.
Dry red chilly - 1
Scraped coconut - 1/4 cup

METHOD:

Cook the pulses as said here, drain the water completely. Heat a teaspoon of oil and temper with mustard seeds and dry red chilly. add the cooked pulse, a pinch of salt and jaggery. When thick add coconut and mix well.

LINKS FOR LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST OF NAVARATHRI MENU:

TIPS ON COOKING PULSES FOR SUNDAL
AAMA VADAI
PUTTU
PAYASAMS
KADALAI URUNDAI
APPAM (TANJORE STYLE)
APPAM (NEIYAPPAM)
KONDAKADALAI(BLACK CHENNA SUNDAL)
KABUL CHENNA SUNDAL
GROUNDNUT SUNDAL

29 comments :

  1. lovely recipes, to try for each day throughout navarathiri...

    http://akilaskitchen.blogspot.com

    Regards,
    Akila

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  2. Nice post....lovely collection!!

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  3. fantastic post and it brings the Navarathri mood live :) love it totally :)

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  4. Wonderful post with lots of information. Thanks for sharing !!

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  5. very good information and dishes are tasty

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  6. Wowww beautiful and very fantastic post, lovely spread..

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  7. wonderful recipes for Festival Shanti..

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  8. Oh!, how I miss Navarathri!, that's my favourite of all my festivals, lovely collection of sundal's, very mouthwatering..

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  9. lovely pics with grt info !! fab it looks

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  10. A very nice post would love to c ur kolu also!

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  11. Your posts are so informative and interesting. I enjoy reading about the culture and the wonderful recipes. Your blog is such a great learning experience. Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to reading more of your wonderful posts.

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  12. Very informative and useful post,thanks for it! Sweet sundal recipe is new to me! Will try for sure!

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  13. Was eagerly looking forward to a post from you before Navarathri begins. Thanks for the superb pics, they seem so inviting that I feel like making all of the prasadham right away. Great pictures, tips and the payasam section is totally wonderful. Thanks again for sharing a wealth of information.

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  14. Lovely post,very useful recipes...

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  15. Such an exhaustive collection.Great.

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  16. Dear Shanthi,
    Thanks for dropping by my blog and your wonderful comments. First time here at your blog and am amazed at the wealth of information and super recipes. Very happy to be following ur blog. Great work !!

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  17. Photos paarkumpothe saapidanum pola irukke! nice tips and tasty array of recipes!

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  18. I missed this, wonderful post.. and I love this festival never miss sundal everyday..by visiting golu in every house.

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  19. Love the delicious dishes.Super click.

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  20. Nice collection of navaratri specials!

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  21. You have selected all superb dishes.

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  22. This is nice post! Those dishes are definitely worth the try. They look so yummy! Cheers

    - dahana

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