Vinayaka Chathuthi (Ganesh Chaturthi) Celebration and Prasadm Recipes

Vinayaka chathurthi also know as Pillayar chathurthi is one of the very famous Hindu festival celebrated across India,Each state has its own way of celebration and set of recipes as offering to Lord Viayaka.Here I am trying explain how it is celebrated in Tamil nadu and set of offerings to the best of my knowledge.Please note that even though I mention Tamil nadu as a whole there may be N number of customs and traditions that varies from place to place and even home to home.So here we shall take a quick peek at the common things and fun of celebrating this festival.For most of the people Vinayakar is the favorite God and I am no different.I somehow feel very nice just at the sight of Vinayaka.I hope you all agree with me.
Festival traditions:
Vinayaka chathurthi is celebrated on the 4th day of waxing moon during the waxing moon cycle,between August23-September22.It is believed that Parvathi created Vinayaka out of sandalwood paste on this day.So to emphasis on that in every house a small Ganesh idol would be made using sandalwood/turmeric/clay paste and worshiped and offer special foods.People also buy idols of different size according to their preference and worship.It is very common here to see very big idol of lord Ganesha in every street corner and worshiping is done by people from same locality.First abishegam is done with many kind of juices,milk,sandal wood water,honey etc and finally with plain water.Then the idol is decorated with silk clothes,lots of flowers and different beads,especially arugampul malai (Bermuda grass),erukkam poo malai(Milkweed flower). Then we have people singing all bhajans (Devotion songs) about Ganesha and finally Special foods made for the festival are offered to the God and distributed to everyone.Usually the Idol is placed atleast 10 days before the festival and special pooja is performed on the festival day itself.After 7 days the Idol is taken as a procession through all streets,accompanied by bhajans,distribution of sweets and finally the Idol is dissolved in sea/river.In the mean time the small idol that is worshiped in home is immersed in a vessel full of water and that sacred water is not be discarded.Lord Ganesha is belevied to be fond of coconut,jaggery and channa dal
Collection of festival recipes:
1.Ammini/Mani kozhukattai
2.Ulundhu vadai
3.Ulundhu bonda
4.Semiya payasam
5.Pasi paruppu payasam
6.Mor kuzhambu1,2
Today here I am sharing two recipes with you for this festival.Please let me know your thoughts.
Kadalai mavu urundai (Gram flour/besan ladoo)
This is a very very simple/mess free ladoo which you can prepare in flat 20 minutes.If you are in short of time to prepare any elaborate sweet,try this.It is fuss free to make yet tastes exotic.Only point you need to take care is proper frying on gram flour.Please dont skimp on ghee,in this recipe.
Besan/gram flour ladoo
Star ingredient:Gram flour
Time:20-25 minutes
Yield:12-14 (depends on the size you make)
Ingredients:
1 cup gram flour
3/4 cup ghee (Clarified butter)
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
1 table spoon assorted nuts (optional)(I used cashew and pistachios).
Method:
1.Heat a thick bottomed kadai,add 1 teaspoon ghee and roast the nuts.Keep aside.
2.In the same kadai add the entire 3/4 cup ghee and heat it on ,low flame.Once it starts to melt add the gram flour and stir vigorously.Make sure no lumps are formed and also ghee coats the gram flour every where.
2aAdd the sugar and stir well.This may take around 8-12 minutes.The mixture should resemble bread crumbs.
3.Add the cardamom powder and remove from flame and transfer to a wide bowl.Add the roasted nuts and stir well. Let the mixture come to a temperature that you can handle.
4.Grease your palms with some ghee and make small balls.Arrange them in a plate and let them sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes:
1.Roasting of gram flour is very important.If not roasted well it smells raw from inside.If you roast on a high flame,there will be a burnt taste.So on low flame roast without gap coating the ghee every where.
2.Do not let the mixture turn cold as you will not be able to make balls.
Kadalai paruppu sundal (Channa dal sundal)
This is also a very very easy recipe which can prepared with in a very short notice of time.Suitable for offering to God.
Channa dal sundal
Star ingredient:Channa dal
Time:20+20 minutes
Serves:4
Ingredients:
2 cups channa dal
2 teaspoons grated cocnut
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon urad dal
2 dried red chilli
1 green chilli
Curry leaves
Asafoetida
Salt
Oil to temper
Method:
1.Soak channa dal for 20-30 minutes.Pressure cook for upto3 whistles.
2.In a kadai add 1 teaspoon oil and temper mustard seeds,urad dal,red chilli,green chilli,curry leaves and asafoetida.
3.Add the cooked channa dal and salt.Saute for 5 minutes.Remove from heat,mix the grated coconut and serve hot.
Notes:
1.Pressure cook channa dal with just enough water so that it is cooked yet remains separate.It should not be mushy.
2.You can add finely grated ginger along with other ingredients while tempering.
I wish one and all a very very happy Vinayaka chathurthi,may God of victory,prosperity ,remover of obstacles bring in loads of goodness to each one of you :)