Sri Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations....

Made a short video with Krishna Janmashtami Celebration photos at my home....

Song : Chitram chiru Kaale (Thirupavai song : 29) Singer : Smt. Lalita Gopalakrishnan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For perfect cheedai making tips without explosion please watch this video -

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sri Krishna Janmashtami is known by different names through out India viz., Janmashtami or Gokulashtami or Krishna Jayanthi. This is a festival to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, the 8th incarnation of Bhagavan Vishnu. Celebrated on Ashtami tithi, the eighth day of the dark half or Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadrapada in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatra is ascendant. This is celebrated usually in the months of August or September in the said month when the above thithi and star falls. Sri Krishna was born to Queen Devaki and her husband, King Vasudeva in Mathura. Devaki's brother is Kamsa. During that time, Mathura was in miserable state as Kamsa, had put his father, King Ugrasen in prison and declared himself the new king. When Vasudeva and Devaki got married, a voice from the heaven (a divine prophecy) proclaimed that "Devaki's 8th child would kill Kamsa". To protect himself, Kamsa rushed to kill his sister but gave up the idea of killing after being assured by Vasudev that he will hand over all his children to Kamsa. Kamsa put his brother-in-law and sister in prison. Kamsa killed all the six infants as soon as they were born. The seventh child (Balram) was saved due to divine intervention, when he was transferred from Devaki's womb to that of Rohini's (the other wife of king Vasudev). When Krishna was born, with the divine intervention, Vasudeva secretly carries the infant Krishna away across the river Yamuna and exchanges him with his close friend King Nand of Gokul and takes his daughter to the prison back. When Kamsa tries to kill the newborn, the exchanged baby appeared as the Hindu goddess Durga (Yoga Maya), warning him that his death has arrived in his kingdom, and then disappears, according to the legends in the Puranas. Krishna grows up with Nanda Baba and his wife Yashoda. When Kamsa knows his whereabouts, he sends various demons to kill baby Krishna. Krishna slays all the demons sent by him. Later when he grows up into a boy, he kills Kamsa putting an end to his tyranny. Krishna has two siblings viz. Balram (Baladev) and Subhadra (Wife of Arjun and mother of Abhimanyu). In Puri, Krishna is worshipped as Jagannath and blesses people along with his siblings. Krishna Janmashtami is celerbated through out India with Vigour. Though the rituals practiced vary from one region to the other, the spirit and devotion to the Lord is same everywhere. Hare Krishna!

Puttuku man sumandha kadhai

This is one of the divine play known as "Thiruvilayadal" by God Shiva with his devotees, where the God himself came in digsuise and carried sand to stop the flood in the River Vaigai.

In Madurai, one day God Shiva made it rain heavily and the banks of the River Vaigai was flooding. 

Image courtesy :  google search

So the people rushed to the Pandya King for help. The king said we need to raise the height of the bank. One person from each household should come forward so that we can do this quickly.

Image courtesy :  google search

There lived an old lady named "Vandhi" and she made & sold Puttu (Steamed rice cakes) for her living. Delicious were the Puttu made by her.

Always she kept a portion of the Puttu as an offering to Lord Shiva before she starts her sale. Hearing the king's order, she was upset as she was weak and old to help them. She prayed to God Shiva and lamented that she is of no help to her country.

God was moved by these words from her sincere heart and he came down to help her in the disguise of a young boy. The God who was invisibly accepting her Puttu offering is now making his presence to taste her delicious Puttu!

He offered his help to her on a condition that she has to feed him unlimited puttu till his heart's content. Condition was agreed by Vandi Paati and she served him hot delicious puttu before he left for work.

When we over eat, we tend to feel sleepy. There is a saying in Tamizh "Unda Mayakam Thondanukum Undu".  So the god in disguise after his tummy was full, lied down and slept.  Seeing him not working, the people complained to the supervisor, thus this reached the King's ears. 

The King rushed to the place and saw the lad Sleeping. Angry king, took a cane and beat the sleeping lad. The pain was felt by everyone present there including the King. This unusual experience made them realise that it is not a man but a God.

This divine play is still remembered and celebrated in Madurai. In the month of "Aavani" (Shravan /  (Chinga masam in malayalam) on the day of Moolam Star, this event is celebrated in Shiva Temple in Madurai as an event. Puttu is distributed as Prashad to all the devotees.

Those who want to try this recipe will find it here

These were the stories told to children and I was lucky that I was from that generation that I could here a lot of such historical divine plays and more.

Shambo Mahadeva!

Aadi 18-aam Peruku - Celebrating water flow in the river Cauvery!

Aadi Peruku is a festival celebrated in the state of Tamizh Nadu on 18th day of the tamizh month Aadi (Sanskrit : Ashada) and Peruku means 'rising water flow' in the Cauvery river. Hence it is also known as "Aadi Padhinettam Peruku". Padhinettam in tamizh means 18th day.

Monsoon of the season brings more water in the river Cauvery thus making it overflow, bringing fertile agricultural opportunities along with it. This festival is celebrated as a thanks giving to mother nature (monsoon) as rivers as a water source is the lifeline of farmers. This tradition shows how our ancestors lived close to the nature, respecting, conserving and worshipping Nature and also offer thanks giving.

The "Dakshinayana Punya kalam" (The night of devas) starts when Sun starts travelling towards southern direction and the first month is Aadi. This is the month when farmers sow seeds in their fields. There is a saying in tamizh "Aadi Pattam Thedi vidhai". Thus the Farmers eagerly look forward to this season, hence they come to the river bank for pooja and celebration of this season on this auspicious day.

Image courtesy : Google search

Life's priority changed and farming got restricted to villages, corporates opened up careers in the city, people moved. Thus the City dwellers who don't want to give up that tradition, celebrate it at home  in their own way... at home, near river banks, near lake, near pond and on the beaches.

There are many Triveni Sangam in our country Bharath. In Tamil Nadu, the Triveni Sangam in Erode is important and is a confluence of 3 rivers, the Cauvery, Bhavani and Amudha. Of these three, the river Amudha is invisible and is believed to flow underground and join the other two rivers from below.  This Triveni Sangam us called as "Kooduthurai" (in Tamizh) (sangam), where the famous Sangameshwarar temple is located. Special poojas are conducted in the temple on 18th day of Aadi month (Tamil ashada month).

Rivers are celebrated as female deties - like a mother. So the word 'Amman'  is attached to the river goddess thus they are addressed as Gangai Amman, Cauvery Amman etc... This shows how our ancestors followed the Sanathana Dharma and gave a lady an important & respectable status ; Elevating her to a motherly goddess position.

This year Aadi Peruku falls on 03rd August 2018. Hence I decided to write a brief post on this festival.

People visits the River near them, makes variety rices takes it along with them. Do pooja and eat the rice there sitting together.

Every community and family has a way to celebrate it as per their edler's advice. I am sharing few common and simple things which can be followed in the busy life schedule.

If you are going to do a pooja, do it at the 'auspicious hour' [Nalla Neram] mentioned in the Panchang / calendar, for the day.

Place a small pot or bowl filled with water and place a flower on it. Place Haldi and Kumkum (manjal kungumam).

5 types of Variety rices are prepared to be offered as Neivedhyam along with Milk Kheer [Pal Payasam]. All of them or whatever possible can also be made and offered.  If no time, then offer a fruit or sugar candy or raisins.

1. Lemon Rice
2. Coconut Rice
3. Tamarind Rice
4. Curd Rice
5. Jaggery Rice (Sakkara pongal or Vella payasam)

Sloka :- whatever slokas you know can be offered. 

Thank the God that our land should be blessed with sufficient Rains, make the Land fertile, help Farmers raise healthy crops without loss and may the land and the people prosper.

Let us come close to Mother Nature and celebrate it in simple way at least at our home. If you cannot make variety rices, just offer Fruits and Flowers to the God.

Sharing with you some songs that comes to my mind when I think of river Cauvery. If you know Tamizh, you can enjoy the lyrics which especially for the first song.

The following song is about Aadi Peruku festival sung by P. Susheela for a Tamil film.

Another sweet film song based on raga Hamsadhwani and Mohana by Maestro Ilayaraja.....

May the rain god bless us with good rains so that rivers, land and people prosper!

Lokah Samasthah Sukinah Bhavanthu 🌸🙏🏻🌸

Chithirai Thirunal Vishu Dina photos 2018

Hi,

Hope you all had a very happy Chithirai Thirunal, Vishu, Baisakhi, Nobo Borsho day.

Since I had uploading issue with my photo editor I was trying other possibilities and finally found another way of saving watermarked pic and uploading it to my blog, hence sharing now, our 'Kani' photos of this new year!

Viewing in the light of oil lamps like how they do in Kerala style temple, has it's own charm and makes it more divine. So, this vishu, I have kept the deepams and took a pic in that light.

To get a clear view, here it is under an electrified light, below:-

May this new year brings you more & more Prosperity, Good Health, Happiness!

Ona Sadhya / Feast at our Home

Hello,

This year (2014) had a great onam celebration. With the help of my 10, 5 and 3 lit pressure cookers, i could easily make a Sadhya / Feast. So sharing with you a glimpse of the onam feast so that you can enjoy virtually.




Menu :

1. Palada Pradhaman
2. Kichadi
3. Pachadi
4. Aviyal
5. Kurukku Kalan
6. Olan
7. Thoran
8. Puli Inji
9. Pazha Norukku
10. Pappadam
11. Kai varathadhu
12. Salkara Upperi
13. Nadan Ari Choru
14. Parippu
15. Arachu vitta Sambar
16. Rasam
17. Nei
18. Thayiru

 
Here is the appartment Ranogli + Pookalam fusion I made on that day

Now, did you..... burrrrrrrrrrrrrrpp?

Enjoy the virtual feast.

Ganesh Chathurthi 2014

Om Gam Ganapathaye Nama:

Brought you Ganesh Chathurthi Prashad (Modak, Salt kozhukattai and Nei Appam). May the vignahartha bless you all with good health and prosperity.

Ganpathy Bapa Moraya! Mangal Murti Moraya!

Karthigai Deepam

This festival of lights in southern india falls in the karthik month & the day in which karthik star falls and full moon day coincides.  In Northern india it is celebrated as Karthik Purnima / Dev Diwali. In southern India it is known as 'Karthigai Deepam'.

Sharing with you this year's celebration.

Appam, Pori - brought the prashad for you. Adai missing as I made only limited quantity and it's all vanished into our stomach before I could get you a glimpse of it.

 

 

 

 

 

Put the traditional Maakolam using wet rice flour.

May this festival of lights bring more prosperity, good health and happiness into your life.

Best Wishes

Deepavali / Diwali - Festival of lights

Diwali / Deepavali  meaning 'Row of Lamps' is also known as Festival of lights - is celebrated during the tamizh month of  'aipasi' (14th day - naraka chathurdasi) and amavasya. 

People get up early in the morning (before sunrise) and take oil bath, wear new dress, lighting as many oil lamps as possible, perform puja. Then sweets & savouries are distributed. This is the only day when one can take oil bath at such an early morning hours.  The sweet and savoury making rituals start well before and completes just in time of the festival.

The history behind this festival is different in the north and south india though both symbolise the victory of good over the evil. In south India, it is considered as the day when the demon Narakasura was killed by Lord Krishna and during his death Lord Krishna granted his boon that the day be celebrated with valour. 

In northern India this festival is celebrated for four to five days starting with Dhanteras (the day people invite lakshmi by purcahsing gold and do puja after bringing home the Gold). The day falls on 18th day after Dusserah. Followed by Diwali, New year and Bhaituj (the day when sisters invite their brother home, pray for their wellbeing conducting pooja and offer them a feast). The navratri is considered to be the war period between Lord Rama and the demon Ravana. The 9th days resembles the victory of Lord Rama. The festival of deepavali is considered to be the day when victorious Rama returned Ayodhya. Hence Ram leela is celebrated widely on this day, in nortern india. An effigy of Ravana is made and a person dressed like Sri Rama will set the effigy of Ravan in fire by firing a burning arrow.

Ramlila - image got thru google search

Dhanteras is also known as Dhanvantri Triodasi.As name suggests it is observed during Trayodashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha (13th day). The day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanvantari, the teacher and the father of Ayurveda. Lord Dhanvantari is the physician of Gods and considered one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

In the olden days festivals gives an earning opportunity to the locals in the form of various items used for pooja etc. For diwali earthern lamps and small earthern pots (for puja) are used. 

The market gets colourful on the arrival of the festival with vendors selling colour powders known as 'rangoli' powders (used to draw designs to decorate doorsteps), earthern pots, lamps and various other festive things.  Now-a-days we can see many wax lamps coming in different decorated diyas (lamps).

Image courtesy : google search

Rangoli :- a colourful design decoration drawn near door steps

But sadly the festival of lights is turning into festival of crackers and sweets. Focus is going off from traditional oil lamps to electrical lights.

 

fireworks

People hang kanthil (chandlier) of different colours with an electrical bulb inside to decorate their windows / balcony to mark the sign of the oncoming festival.  

All the celebrations comes to an end on the day of Bhaituj when sisters invite brothers to their home, do padh puja, offer them sumptuous feast and get their blessings. They pray for the well being of their brothers. This tradtional practice increase the bonding between the sister (s) and brother (s) and also an opportunity for a mini family get -together.

Every festival is celebrated to bring people together in the family as well as in the community. A nice traditiona passed on by our ancestors through generations. It is very important to understand the essence and celebrate the festival. So let us pass that knowledge to our next generation and may this year bring you more prosperity, peace, health and happiness to you and your family.

Janmashtami / Krishna Jayanthi Prashad

Hope you all celebrated Janmashtami 2013 with vigour.

Sharing with you the Janmashtami Darshan and Prashad.

 

Perfect cheedai making tips - 

Karadayan Nonbu / Savitri Vradh

Today is the day of Karadayan Nonbu. Just finished the pooja and had the prasad.

Brought some prasad for you too :-)

 

Nonbu adai - sweet as well as salt

Nonbu Adai (sweet as well as salt) recipe here :- http://my-hobby-lounge.blogspot.in/2013/03/nonbu-adais-sweet-as-well-as-salt.html

Navratri / Dusserah 2012

Navratri celebrations went on merrily at our place with dandiya & garbha dances every night after the arati. Every afternoon bhog was offered to devotees (prashad of durga ma).

This is the mandap inside which goddesses were kept.

An inviting rangoli :-

A mini fair was conducted with various stalls and various competitions were organised for the kids. Prize distribution ceremony was conducted yesterday. 

Today the dasami day all the celebrations came to an end by evening. Durga ma was taken out for immersion in a grand manner with a fireworks show.

May the goddess bless you all with happniess, good health and prosperity.

Jai mata di

Navratri / Golu Gift Ideas

Coming to the gift part, first and foremost thing I would like to stress is 'Gift' is not important for a celebration. The boosting of spirit & sweet memories are the best gifts you can give your guests as a wonderful Host.

Still sharing some ideas if you desire to gift. 

Few points before you buy a gift:-

• Plan it as per your budget.
• Prepare a list of Guest whom you expect will attend the golu so that accordingly you can decide on the suitable gift for them
• Seasonal gifts

Image courtesy : Google Search

SPIRITUAL GIFTS :-

1. Idols of deities
2. Mythological / Spiritual stories
3. Decorative items for deities (for those who conduct poojas)viz.,  garlands, vagamalai, throne, seat, Umbrella, Thombai, etc (you can google to see the pictures to get an idea on what they are) - Crochet Toran, Crochet Garland  for deities 
4. Small dresses & jewelleries for small idol of gods etc
5. Brass items viz., urulis, etc. 

Thombai : ,    Umbrella :
Vagamalai : ,  small Urulis : 

FANCY / DECOR ITEMS :-

1. A stone studded kum kum chests  
2. Tamboolam set or Aarati Plates  [plate, kum kum, haldi, lamp (fixed) ] This will help the receiver to use for their poojas.
3. Wooden covered agarbathi stand cum box (it will be nice to see the smoke coming out of the holes, the ash falls into the box thus helps for easy cleaning)
4. Imitation jewellery sets, pendants
5. Fancy Bangles
6. If the guest also keeps golu, find some unique dolls & gift them or festoons for decorations
7. Fancy house decor items viz., vase, fengsui dolls etc
8.  Thorans / door hangings
9. Fruit Basket / bread Basket
10. Table place mats, coasters
11. Doilies
12. Indoor Plants which comes in small pots
13. Cosmetics
14. Antique look alike pieces

SEASONAL GIFTS  :-

1. Fancy Diya sets (lamps) -will be put to use for the oncoming deepavali festival  
2. Christmas tree ornaments
3. Books - story, good housekeeping, tips n tricks, etc.
4. Home made chocolates in personalised wraps
5. Kolam books
6. Rangoli Powders
7. Art & craft kits

 OTHERS:-

1. Stationery items for kids
2. Recipe books (you can make your own & gift too)
3. Fancy Cloth / jute bags (as a part of go green measure to help them shop)
4. Your personalised art & craft gifts

I will keep updating various things as and when they come to my mind. In the meantime, you may also check the following posts on navratri / golu.

Navratri Chundal varities (Sundal)

Sweet Puttu

Navratri / Golu


Navratri Golu Ideas


Navratri Preparation

Park - tips & suggestions

Happy Navratri

Jai mata di