Shiv Darshan on Maha Shivrathiri

Mahashivrathiri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the "Tandava".

It is also believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati Devi.

On this day Shiva devotees observe fast and offer fruits, flowers and bel leaves on Shivalinga.

Om Nama Shivaya !
Om Nama Shivaya !
Om Nama Shivaya !

Beauty of Kerala

God's Own Country - Kerala from my son's Camera

Elephant Quarters

Chinese Fishing Net in Cochin

View of Munar Tea Estates

Thekkady

Kerala Boat House

Kerala kalari Fight

New year Wishes

Wishing All Bloggers 'A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR'

Karthigai Deepam

Happy Karthigai!!!

Pongal - The Harvest Festival of Tamil Nadu

What is Pongal?

a) Is it the dish that tamilians have for breakfast?
b) Is it the 4 day Thanksgiving festival celebrated in the month of January in tamilnadu?
c) Does it mean "to boil?"
d) All of above
For those familiar, they would automatically pick the option" d".

Pongal is the quintessential harvest festival of Tamilnadu and a traditional occasion for giving thanks to nature, for celebrating the life cycles that give us grain.

A Tamil saying goes on that "Thai Piranthal Vazhi Pirakkum" meaning that when the month of Thai dawns there will be way of love, peace, harmony, prosperity, joyness in everyone's life.
The first day is called 'Bhogi Pongal', the second day 'Surya Pongal' and the third day 'Mattu Pongal'. Bhogi Pongal is celebrated as a family festival. It is the day for spring cleaning. All old and unwanted things are thrown away or burnt.

The second day is dedicated to the sun (Surya) when Pongal is boiled by women and offered to the sun. Friends greet one another by asking Have you boiled the Rice?

Mattu Pongal, the third day is a day dedicated to the worship and veneration of the cattle. The cattle are bathed, decorated and their horns are painted in bright colours.

The Fourth day is known as Kanu or Kannum Pongal day. Its a day when the women prays for the prosperity of their family and of their brothers should prosper.

Pongal in other parts of India

Makar Sankranti
In the North Indian states of India, people celebrate this day as Makar Sankranti. The most exciting thing about this festival is the kite flying. People believe that the direction of the wind changes on that day, and so they all come out into the streets to fly colorful kites and capture as many as possible.

Kanumu
On Kaanum Pongal, elaborate powdered chalk designs of the sun god, Surya are drawn. As soon as the auspicious month of Thai is underway, Surya is worshipped.

Lohri
In Punjab, people celebrate Lohri in January on what they believe is the coldest day of the year. With the cold winds blowing they celebrate by dancing the bhangra around a fire, which is fed with sugarcane, rice and sesame seeds. People sing folk songs that tell of a good harvest, which is a blessing from the gods.

Bihu / Bohaggiyo Bhishu
This is the greatest festival of the Assamese people, who observe three Bihus. The three Bihus, constitute a festival complex and are celebrated at various stages of the cultivation of paddy, the principal crop of Assam.

Bhogi
The first day is Bhogi and is in honor of Indra the god of rain. There are many legends told about this day. The day begins with a til (sesame) oil bath and in the evening there is a bonfire in which all the rubbish in the house is burnt.

Hadaga Festival
The Hadaga festival in Maharashtra is to pray for a good monsoon and a good harvest. As Indra is the god of rain, people sing songs to Indra and pray for rain. Pictures of the elephant which is Indra's vehicle are drawn everywhere to invite the God.

Pongal Recipes

1. Venpongal
2.Sarkkarai Pongal
3.Puran Poli On Bohi Day

This is my submission for Viji's RCI Tamil Festival

ref:pongalfestival.org

RCI -Tamil Festivals Thiruvathirai

Marghazhi Month, is the most sacred month in the Tamil Calendar (Mid Dec- 1st week of Jan). At this time of the year, thw world over enjoys cool nights and not too warm days and it is a welcome month in Tamilnadu that goes through hot weather most of the year. Vaishnavites consider it sacred to worship Lord Krishna in this month, Saivites pray to Lord Shiva. Not to mention the Holy and Merry Christmas that falls in this month.
Elaborating the Saivite practice, In this month on the Thiruvathirai Star day Saivites fervently perform Pooja for Lord Shiva (Nataraja).
It is significant that one of the six anointing ceremonies of Lord Nadarajah takes place on this day. Further Lord Nadarajah comes out in a procession of this day to give Darshan to his devotees.
During this day in all Shiva Temples, grand poojas are held, delighting the Shiva worshippers.
Chidambaram Kovil, Perur Pattesswaran Kovil are some of the temples celebrate this day grandly.

Festival Day Special Dish:-

Thiruvathirai kali
Thaalagam and Butter.
************************************************************************************

Diwali
Diwali, also called Deepavali, is a major Indian festival that is very significant in Hinduism. Known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for humankind. Fireworks are associated with the festival.

Festival Day Special Dish:-

Diwali Legiyam
Boondhi Laddu
Jangiri
Mullu Murukku
Kara Sev
Ribbon Pakkoda

*************************************************************************************

Karadayan Nonbu

During karadayan nonbu women invoke the blessings of Gowri devi to attain such a husband for all seven births.
Unmarried girls pray for a good husband and married women pray for their husband's long life. It is celebrated during the 1st day of Panguni month.
(Mid March)
During this day Sathyavan Savithiri prayed to Lord Yama and freed her husband Sathyavan from him.

We also Pray to Goddess Kamakshi on this day and ask for the wellness of our husband's life.

Festival day Special Recipes:-

Nonbu Adai - Sweet Version
Nonbu Adai -Salted Version

*************************************************************************************

TAMIL NEW YEAR

The month of Chitthirai has arrived and with it the Tamil New Year’s Day; April 14th – an occasion for celebration for Tamilians all over the world.

The highlight of the festival is the 'Maanga Pachadi' (a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers), which is at the same time sweet, sour and bitter. This signifies all the different aspects of our life.

Festival Special Recipes:-

1. Maang0 pachadi
2. Neermore
3. Kosumalli
4. Panagam

This is my submission for RCI(Tamil Festivals) Hosted by Viji of VCuisine.

.::. Happy Dassera to All .::.

FAHC - Donation Drive



Children are our foundation for future. Our dreams and aspirations of our own children can easily be fulfilled as we do have reasonable means.

What about those who do not have the means? What about their dreams and aspirations? Efforts that aim at providing support to those, need to be appreciated and if possible, contributed and supported well.

To that purpose we can take a small step of Feeding a Hungry Child.

As part of spreading the fund collection effort with VKN and Indira I link the details of the FAHC Project.

Please spread this and also widen the smile of a Hungry Child with your contribution by clicking on the link below:-

Rockin Girl Award

Am thankful to Prema of My Cook Book for passing me the RockinGirl Blogger Award.



I had been very inactive in the past couple of months, this award has brought me into the thick of things.

I would like to pass this prestigious awards to the deserving:-

1. Seema of Recipe Junction

2. Meena of Cooking Pleasures

3. Lakshmi of Veggiecuisine

Happy New Year 2007

To AkshaPatram, Priya, LakshmiAmmal,
Samayal SudhaV, ManPasand Krithika et al

To MahaNandi Indra, Sailu et al

To Deepan Anita, Spicyana, Arthi et al

To Asha, Ashwini, Trupti, Sandeepa, Dilip-UK et al

To All Fellow Food Bloggers and my Readers

This is a Quick post to wish Everyone a Happy 2007.

Christmas in the Tropics

How do you celebrate Christmas in the Tropics?

Generally the picture of Christmas is one of Snow, Christmas Tree by the Fireside, Warmth of family and friends. So What do you expect when you Celebrate Christmas in the Tropics, esp Singapore?

Singapore celebrates with the Christmas Light Up in the Orchard Area, Garden Festival, A dust to dawn non stop music festival in ZoukOut, International Guitar festival, ever appealing shopping made more friendly and exciting with late night shopping, various theatre events and music concerts, to name a few.

To elaborate some of the above, like the Singapore Lights Up Deepavali, she also Lights Up Christmas. Christmas Light Up 2006 extends to about 6.5 Kms with Decorative lighting, Celebratory Arches, Theme Sets that shall delights the Shoppers, Pedestrians and provides everyone an opportunity to exhibit their photo taking skills. Of course, its memory value is much more. Light Up happens in the Shopping heartland of Orchard Road, Scotts Road and Tanglin.
Some interesting statistics of this year's light up, supposed to be the biggest ever and brightest ever, whose theme is, Enchanted Christmas Garden and Christmas Bells, are:-
1. Seven Weeks of Light up from Nov 11, 2006 to Jan 02, 2007. [Waited this long, just to post this near the occasion of Christmas.]
2. Length of Rope Lights and Fairy Lights - more than 100,000 metres.
3. Number of Diamonds and Gems - more than 98000.
4. Number of Red Christmas Baubles - more than 8000.
5. 1000's of Man hours.

Highlight of this years Light Up is the Singapore's most expensive $250,000 Christmas Tree, made of 600 Swarovski Crystals. Its truly a sight to behold. I put up here a lighted version (borrowed photo) and my own day time version of this tree.

Last Year Singapore welcomed over 800,000 visitors this month and hope to welcome even more this time. An occassion for Locals and Visitors enjoy these and vow to come back again for another Christmas.

When are you visiting here?

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year to all.

Singapore Lights Up Deepavali

Singapore lights up on important ocassions.

Be it Chinese New Year [China Town], National Day, Hari Raya Puasa (Id) [Geyland Serai and Kampong Glam], Mid Autumn Lantern festival[China Town], Christmas and New Year [Orchard Road].

Now Its time of that year again for Lighting Up the Deepa Raya ie., the twin festivals Deepavali and Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore.



True to the Spirit of Deepavali, Little India is livened up with Colourful Lights and Arches, Stalls, Music, teeming crowds and all that is associated with this Festival of Lights.



The Lighting up theme for last year was "Elephants." This year it shall be the "Peacocks"[See Pics.] Organised by the Hindu Endowments Board and lasts for about a month. Sep 21, 2006 to Oct 29, 2006. The total spend for this year is about S$ 400,000. This is an added visitor attraction to the Little India, for Locals and Tourists, as always and more.



The festivities on this day here is generally to Dress up and visiting temples, meeting friends, Restauranting etc. [Why??? See below.] The Local Television keeps you awake with the latest, popular Movies [Tamil, Hindi and English] that runs marathon through the nights.

The State celebrates with fireworks display on selected Occasions, that are a real treat to watch.

It may be alongside the Marina Bay or Singapore River. These fireworks display are well Orchestrated, Computer Controlled, Synchronised with Music etc etc. All High Tech Gadgetry.

However, Fire Crackers are not permitted for individual use. Kids have to make do with Sparklers and Party Poppers only.

You don't get the Fierce Fire display, Eye burning Smoke, Ear shattering Noises, as in back home. :-(

Its A Very Clean and Quiet Deepavali !!!



Happy Deepavali to You All !!! ====-* *

Onam Greetings to All

My Varalakshmi Pooja

I had performed the Varalakshmi Pooja last Friday.



Varalakshmi pooja falls on dwadasi as well as Friday in the month of Aadi or Aavani (Tamil month), the day in which goddess Lakshmi was born from the cosmic sea.

Varalakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and gives us whatever we want. To get the blessing of Lakshmi, we perform this pooja with great care and devotion. This pooja is celebrated in a grand manner.
>>The pooja room is cleaned the previous day (Thursday) and floral decorations and kolam with rice flour should be done.
>>After cleaning the sombu (kalasam), put some coins, betel, betel nut, turmeric, lemon, comb, mirror, black bangles (very small), black beads, raw rice, kunguma chimizh (very small one) inside it.
>>Arrange the mango leaves over this and keep a coconut on top. Fix the amman face on the coconut, then decorate the kalasam with flowers. Place some flowers. Keep the sombu in the pooja, prepare ven pongal for neivedhyam.
>>Have faith that Goddess Lakshmi Herself is residing in that Kalssam. Perform karpoora aarathi.

This pooja must be done with utmost dedication.To start the pooja, keep the goddess near the entrance of the house on the kolam (inside the house). Keep flowers. Then take karpoora aarathi.

Then bring the deity to the pooja place singing the song "Lakshmi Raave maa inti ki" which means "Lakshmi please come to our house". In the mandha haasam, place a plaintain leaf and spread raw rice. Keep the kalasam on this and decorate the deity. Keep the nombu saradu (yellow thread) also.

First perform Vinayaka pooja to vinayaka (a conical shape made of turmeric powder). After finishing that pooja, start Varalakshmi pooja. There are specific slokas and mantras. You could run the pooja slokas from the cassette or recite. After the pooja, naivedhyam to be kept and do karpoora aarathi.

After aarathi, the ladies must tie the nonbu saradu in their right hand, reciting the sloka requesting the Goddess to reside with self. Offer thamboolam to the ladies. Being a Friday, giving thamboolam for as many ladies as possible is auspicious. In the night, perform mangala aarathi.

Next morning, place some fresh flowers, offer neivedhyam and perform aarathi. Move the kalasam toward noth. This pooja is generally carried forward by daughters-in-law. However, the Goddess will be immensely pleased by this pooja done by anyone, be it cutomary or non-customary.



May Goddess Lakshmi bring all peace and happiness.

Text Courtesy: Chennaionline.com

Hello All !
Hope all of you are doing well.

My Foodblog has just completed 4 months and about 90+ posts.

Earned lots of friends.

Thanks to you all of you.

Wish you all Happy and Healthy days ahead.

Cheers !

On this occasion, My next post is wheat Halwa.

My Dhaba VCC - Q1/2006 - Entry No:VCC-32



Hello Friends ! !

I have taken part in My Dhaba's cooking competition with my entry VCC 32 Pumpkin Soup.

Public polling for this has already started on April 11 and will last until April 20.

The details of my entry is here. Hope you find it interesting.

Please make some time to check and cast your golden vote as a comment in my favour here.

Be there to support me :- )
Thanks in Advance.

Wish you All Happy and Healthy Days ahead !

NB:- Voting format
==============
My Vote is for: Entry No. VCC 32 by Menu Today.
My Name:
My email:

A Foodblogger's Meme Around The World

I have been brought into this Meme, first by Anthony's Kitchen. Thank You, Anthony !

Initially, I thought what is this me, me? Then I realised it is not about me, it is also about others. Look Around, Recognise and Appreciate !

1. I have book marked these three recipes food blogs to try:
a) Kuih Bingka Ubi (Tapioca Cake) excellently done PuSiVa's CuLiNarY StUdiO.
[PuSiva's weekend baking sessions are a real learning for me, though not tried anything yet.]

b) Appam that looks tasty by Kitchenmate.
[Kitchenmate who does both traditional items (like me) and Fusion cooking too.]

c) I love soups - Spring into Green - Cream of Broccoli Soup by Saffron Hut.
[Fabulous photos. One more feather in an already crowded cap.]

2. A foodblog in your vicinity:

Madam Devagi - Spice-Queen.
[Seen her TV shows. Her blog posts do not talk about Measure or Method (?!). She looks at things about cooking and its various associations differently.]

3. A foodblog (or more) located far from you:

Food bloggers of USA, Canada and Europe.

4. A foodblog (or several) you have discovered recently (where did you find it?):

a) Indian Food
b) Flavors of Indian Rasoi
c) Taste Corner
d) Kadchhi ke Kamaal

5. Any people or bloggers you want to tag with this meme?

a) BDSN Taste Corner
b) Kay Towards a Better Tomorrow
c) Mika The green jackfruit
d) Mdm. Devagi Spice Queen
e) Lulu Loves London
f) Aspiring Annapoorna Kadchhi ke Kamaal
g) Aquamarine Coffee, Tea or Me

* * Thank You, All !

Posts Preview

! Happy Ugadi !