Navarathri Golu Begins with a sweet-Asoka Halwa :)

Today is an auspicious day called mahalaya amavasai -this marks the start of navarathri for us in Tamil homes.today we build the tiers (padi-Tamil) to keep golu (divine presence of idols made of sand and various metals). Usually the tire is built and the idols are arranged on the day of amavasai (no moon day) and the real festival,offerings and poojai starts from next day (1st day). From tomorrow the next nine days are celebrated as navarathri (nava- meaning ( in Sanskrit and rathri meaning night in both Sanskrit and Tamil) and the tenth day celebrated as Vijaya dhasami (Dusherra in western parts of India). This festival is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm throghout India with each state,region and community having its own way of celebration.But the main fact remains the same,this is the festival for goddess Lakshmi,Parvathi(durga) and sarawathi.Here I am trying to explain how navarathri golu is celebrated in our Tamil homes (mainly our home)First as mentioned above we set up tires in odd numbers (3,5,7,9,11 etc) and arrange the bommai (idols,toys) in a specific manner.The top tier is for Vinayakar,Perumal,thayar and kalasam.Then we arrange the toys as we desire.First 3 days of Navarathri are to celebrate Goddess Parvathi (Malaimagal-meaning daughter of moutains).She is the symbol of power and bravery.Next three days are to celebrate Goddess Lakshmi (Alaimagal-born from the sea).Goddess Lakshmi is the symbol of prosperity and wealth.The last three days are to celebrate Goddess Saraswathi (Kalaimagal-beholder of knwoledge and arts). For all the nine days we make some kind of payasam or sweets in the morning as offering and evenings we make sundal out of legumes.We invite women from neighborhood and also friends and relatives,give them tamboolam(Betal,pakku,tumeric,flowers and a small portion of the prepared sundal ).Daily at about 9 or 9:30 Pm we take arathi for golu and put in front of our gate.The 9th day is celebrated as saraswathi poojai and this has a great significance with school going kids and people who are still studying.All their books are arranged neatly before Goddess saraswathi and poojai is performed(we were not supposed to read or write or study anything on that day-phew how much we loved that when we were kids :)). The 10th day is Vijaya (victory)dhasami is the day of victory.Today we perform a poojai(punar poojai) to the books and we should for sure this day :). This 10th day marks the end of navrathri for the year.We make two or three dolls lie down to signify the dolls will sleep till next year.Now coming to offerings and recipes,now I have a very special and traditional sweet from Tamil nadu for you all.

Asoka halwa.
Asoka halwa is a very healthy and tasty sweet made with moong dal and wheat and ghee literally dripping down :)This is a very famous dish of Tanjore district.As I have written a long story above lets move into the recipe quickly :)
Asoka halwa
Star ingredients:Moong dal,wheat flour
Time:1 hour
Serves:3
Ingredients:
1 cup yellow split moong dal
1/4 cup wheat flour
3/4 to 1 cup ghee (clarified butter)
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons assorted nuts
2 teaspoons raisins
A pinch of saffron soaked in little milk
Method:
1.Heat a kadai and one teaspoon ghee.Roast the moong dal till arom wafts out and remove to a plate.In the same kadai roast the wheat flour (take care not to burn it ) and remove to another plate.
2.Roast the nuts and raisins in the same kadai and keep aside.

3.Cook moong dal till very soft and mushy(I prefer doing this on stove top),start with 2 cups of water and add more if necessary.
4.Once the dal is completely cooked drain the excess water if any and mash the dal very well.Add the mashed dal to the same kadai and and add sugar.Mix well and keep stirring.
5.Stir for good 15 minutes,add the roasted wheat flour and keep stirring again for 10 minutes.

6.Add all the ghee and mix well.Stir till the ghee incorporates and the halwa starts leaving the sides of the kadai.This may take 20 minutes.
7.Finally add the soaked saffron,nuts and mix well.
8.Serve hot.

Notes:
1.If the mixture becomes very hard and sticky you can add about 1/8 cup of milk while stirring.
2.Ghee is very important to get slippery and glossy halwa.Do not skimp on it :)
3.This is very healthy for kids and toddlers in moderate amount