Thiruvathirai Kali – How To Make Thiruvathirai Kali- Special Neivedhyam for Lord Shiva

                                         தென்னாடுடைய சிவனே போற்றி!
                                        எந்நாட்டவர்க்கும் இறைவா போற்றி!
                                        ஓம் நம சிவாய  

Thiruvathirai [Arudra Darisanam] is a Hindu festival celebrated in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, which falls in the month of Margazhi [Dec- Jan] on the full moon day. This Pooja is especially dedicated to Lord Shiva and Shivagami. This festival celebrates the cosmic dance form of Lord Shiva [Nataraja] on Thiruvathirai star and is also known as Arudra Darisanam. According to ancient Indian scriptures, Arudra is the largest star, bigger than the Sun. Arudra is synonymous with a ‘Red Flame’, this red flame also denotes the cosmic dance [Thandavam] of Lord Shiva. 

This festival is celebrated in a grand manner in  all the 5 sabhas of Sri Natarajar namely Kananga Sabai[gold] at Chidambaram Natarajar temple, Velli Sabai [Silver]  at Madurai, Rathna Sabai [Ruby] at Thiruvalankadu, Thamira Sabai [Copper] at Tirunelveli, Chitra Sabai [Pictures] at Kutralam. A very special Abishekam and Pooja is performed in Uthirakosa Mangai, where Natarajar is 6 ft tall, made of one single stone of Maragatham[Emerald] and also in all other Shivan Temples.  

In Thillai Chidambaram, a 10 day festival is held during Thiruvathirai. On this day, Lord Natarajar and his consort, Goddess Shivagami [Parvathi] are taken out in a grand procession. It is a very special event in which the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva is enacted. On Thiruvathirai, women will fast during the day time and break the fast after witnessing the moon rise. A special neivedhyam of Thiruvathirai Kali and Thiruvathirai Kootu are prepared and offered to Lord Shiva and Shivagami. Thiruvathirai  kali is a very simple and divine recipe made with broken rice, jaggery, coconut and ghee. Do try out this Thiruvathirai Kali and offer it to Lord Shiva and enjoy. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and tempting Sweets here. Wishing you all a very happy Thiruvathirai.  

திருவாதிரைக்கு ஒரு வாய் களி' என்பார்கள். அன்று ஒரு வாய் களி சாப்பிட்டு மகிழ்வார்கள். சிவபெருமானுக்கு உரிய நட்சத்திரம் திருவாதிரை. இந்த திருவாதிரை நாளன்று ஒரு வாய் களி தின்றால் அதன் பலன் அளவிடற்கரியது என்கிறது புராணம். 

Here’s how to make Thiruvathirai Kali with step by step photos…

Ingredients

Raw Rice/Pacharisi	½ cup
Jaggery/Vellam	1 cup
Grated Coconut	3 tbsp
Cardamom Powder/Elachi Powder	½ tsp
Ghee	2-3 tbsp
Cashew nuts/Mundhiri Paruppu	5-6 chopped
Water	3 cups

Preparation Time: 10 minutes                                Recipe Category:  Sweet

Cooking Time: 30 minutes                                       Recipe Cuisine: South Indian

Author: Priya Anandakumar

Do check out Thiruvathirai Kootu here.

Method

Add the pachaarisi/raw rice to a kadai/pan and dry roast the rice until it turns to golden brown color and aromatic. Switch off the stove and transfer it to a plate.

Let the rice cool down completely. Add it to the mixer and pulse it two to three times to make a coarse powder like rava.

Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a small pan, add cashew nuts and fry until golden brown color and switch off the stove.

Take jaggery in a pan, add ¼ cup water and let it boil. Switch off the stove and filter it to remove the impurities.

Add the jaggery water to the kadai/uruli in which kali is to be made. Add 3 cups of water to it and mix well.

Let it come to boil, now reduce the flame to low,  add the rice rava to it slowly with one hand and stir with other hand continuously to prevent it from forming lumps.

Add 1 tbsp of ghee, mix well and cook on low heat. Make sure you are stirring continuously to avoid it from burning.

Cover and cook the kali for about 5-7 minutes, opening in between and mixing thoroughly to avoid it from burning. The kali will come together as a fluffy mass.

Now add the grated coconut, cardamom powder and mix really well.

Add the roasted cashew nuts along with ghee and mix everything well and switch off the stove.

Yes, delicious Thiruvathirai Kali is ready for neivedhyam. Serve it hot with generous amount of ghee.

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