NAVARATHRI SPECIAL

Dussera gives the message of the victory of good over evil. This is an example that no matter how strong the evil becomes, in the end, victory will be of good ‘Navratri’ meaning ‘nine nights’ marks the battle that took place between Durga and demon Mahishasura and celebrates the victory of Good over Evil. Goddess Durga and her nine Avatars is worshipped in these nine days. The nine forms of Durga or Parvati are: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri I In Northern parts of the country, Navratri is celebrated as the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. They celebrate this festival with Ramlila where the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, are burnt. This is how North Indians celebrate the victory of good over evil forces on the 'Vijaya Dashami' day. In Kerala the final three days of Navaratri - Ashtami, Navami, and Vijayadashami-are set apart for the worship of Goddess Saraswati - the goddess of wisdom and learning. Books are placed in the pooja rooms (worship rooms) of houses and temples for worship on the Ashtami day. People also observe fast to celebrate the auspicious festival. Mostly people do not eat non-veg food, onion and garlic during the nine-day fasting. Now,It’s that time of the year again . Mylapore is flooded with roadside doll shops, and Stores is thronged with customers out to buy gift items. It’s also that time of the year where the sale of pulses and lentils reach an all-time high! During Navratri,in Tamil Nadu, Golu is an integral part of the festival.Golu Season is here and so is the nine days of protein filled healthy food! At this time a variety of sundals are made for Neyveidhyam and also given to the guests who come to see the golus. This is the nicest thing about Navarathri, However there is an element of surprise. You will be wondering what all Sundals your MOTHERS DELICACIES going to present. Yes there are about 20 Sundal Varities commonly made during this time. MOTHERS DELICACIES will be presenting Sundal and other relevant Nivedhiyams receipes, during this period. Wishing all viewers sweet Navarathri celeberation,will start with the opening Navarathri receipe- Sakkarai Pongal which is the Neivedhiyam on Mahalaya Amavasa Day ..when the Kolu is arranged on Koluppadees.(steps) Sakkarai pongal recipe INGREDIENTS for pressure cooking: • ▢½ cup rice (soaked 15 minutes) • ▢¼ cup moong dal (slightly dry fried and then soaked) • ▢2¼ cup water for jaggery water: • ▢¾ cup jaggery (vellam) • ▢¼ cup water for frying dry fruits: • ▢2 tsp ghee • ▢10 whole cashew / kaju • ▢2 tbsp raisins / kishmish other ingredients: • ▢¼ cup water (to adjust consistency) • ▢2 tbsp ghee • ▢¼ tsp cardamom powder / elachi powder Method: Firstly, in a pressure cooker take ½ cup rice and ¼ cup moong dal . 1. add in 2¼ cup water and pressure cook for 4-5 whistles. 2. make sure the dal and rice is cooked completely. 3. further in a pan take ¾ cup jaggery and ¼ cup water. 4. keep stirring till the jaggery melts completely. 5. now filter the jaggery water into cooked rice-dal mixture. 6. cook till jaggery combines well with rice-dal mixture. 7. add in 2 tbsp ghee and give a good mix till the sakkarai pongal turns glossy. 8. now in a small kadai heat 2 tsp ghee and fry 10 whole cashew, 2 tbsp raisins 9. pour the fried cashews and kishmish into sweet pongal. 10. also add ¼ tsp cardamom powder. mix well. 11. sweet pongal / sakkarai pongal is ready to offer to goddess. • firstly, adjust the jaggery based on sweetness you are looking for. • also filtering jaggery water is optional, you can skip this step if jaggery is clean. • furthermore, adding milk while cooking dal – rice is optional, it enhances the flavour of pongal.