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…

Nellikkai Pachadi/Nellikkai Thayir Pachadi/Gooseberry Raita Recipe/Amla Raitha

“Nellikkai” is the Indian gooseberry is called the Power House of Nutrition. Neelikkai in Tamil is called as Amla in Hindi and Gooseberry in English. Nellikkai is a wonderful fruit is extremely good for the hair, immunity and a great remedy for cold, coughs and helps in fighting infections. Nellikkai pachadi is usually made on dhuvadasi which falls after the ekadasi fasting. This is a very easy thayir pachadi that can be made in a jiffy and is a perfect side dish with SundakkaiVatha Kuzhambu or any South Indian Kuzhambu variety and with Poricha Rasam. Do try out this healthy and tempting Nellikkai Pachadi and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out other interesting Raithas/Pachadis here.

Here’s how to make Nellikkai Pachadi with step by step photos…

Dhuvadasi Rasam/Poricha Rasam/Poricha Rasam Recipe /Poricha Saathamudhu – Rasam Without Tamarind, Tomatoes or lemon/ Special Rasam for Fasting days

In South India we make different types of Rasam, but this is, one special type of rasam prepared without tamarind or tomatoes or lemon. This rasam is called the Dhuvadasi Rasam or Poricha Rasam prepared on Dhuvadasai which falls after Ekadasi thithi. Ekadasi vratham is observing total fast [suddha upavasam] on Ekadasi Thithi. After fasting on Ekadasi day, people have a special food or thali called “Dhuvadasi Paranai” which is devised by our ancestors for breaking the fast and balance the acidity levels. So in this Dhuvadasi special meal, tamarind is totally avoided, since tamarind consumed on an empty stomach can cause ulcers and stomach problems. The freshly prepared masala has grated coconut and added to the rasam which is makes this rasam divine. Generally the Dhuvadasi menu consists of Mor Kuzhambu, Poricha Rasam, Nellikkai Thayir Pachadi, Agathi Keerai Poriyal, Poricha Kootu, Sundakkai Vatral fried in ghee, white rice, ghee, mango pickle, yogurt/thayir. I will be posting more of Dhuvadasi recipes in my future post.Do try out this Poricha Rasam and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and lip smacking Rasam Varieties here and other Vegetarian dals/Kootus/Sambar/Kurma varieties here.

Here’s how to make Poricha Rasam with step by step photos…

Double Beans Curry/Double Beans Fry/Lima Beans Fry

Double Beans Curry/Fry is a very flavourful and aromatic side dish with freshly prepared masala. I came across this healthy and tasty side dish in one of the cookery shows and gave it a try. It is one healthy and delectable side dish with perfect blend of spices. Do try out this Double Bean Curry and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy Vegetarian Side dish recipes here.

Here’s how to make Double Beans Curry with step by step photos…

Akkaravadisal/Akkara Adisil/Sweet Pongal Cooked in Milk and Jaggery/Sweet Milk Pongal/Iyengar Special Akkaravadisal –Pongal Special

Akkaravadisal is an authentic neivedhyam offered to Lord Perumal in Sri Rangam temple on Panguni Uthram and also in other Vishnu temples during festivals and special occasions. Akkaravadisal is similar to Sakkarai Pongal except it is fully cooked in Milk along with jaggery and generous amount of ghee which gives a creamy, rich and divine taste to it. Akkaravadisal is prepared on the “Koodaravalli day” which falls on the 27^th day of Margazhi [tamil month] and offered as neivedhyam to Lord Vishnu and distributed to devotees in small dhonnais[leaf cups].

A little about Koodaravalli day - Koodaravalli is celebrated to commemorate the acceptance of Andal by Perumal after her 26 days of penance. Sri Andal sang the Thiruppavai containing 30 verses – one verse for each day of Margazhi [December-January] in praise of Lord Narayana. On the 27^th day, while singing “koodaarai vellum seer Govinda…”, the Lord  fell for her divine love and blessed her with the boon of marriage. This occasion is celebrated in a very special way in Srivalliputhur Andal temple, where Akkaravadisal is made in 108 vessels along with butter and offered to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Andal is very beautifully decorated and kept in the Arthmandapam.  Make this super delicious rich and creamy rice milk pudding cooked with generous amount of ghee and offer it god and enjoy the prasadham with the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Sri Andal.  Meanwhile do check out other interesting Pongal recipes here and All about Pongal here.

Here’s how to make Akkaravadisal with step by step photos…

Kondakadalai Kurma/White Channa Kurma Recipe/White Chickpea Kurma - How to make Kondakadalai Kurma

Kondakadalai Kurma/White Channa Kurma is kurma variety made with Kondakadalai and coconut paste as main ingredients along with other spices. It is one healthy and great alternative when you run out of vegetables in your refrigerator. This kurma can be made with black kondakadalai or white kondakadalai. This kurma is a delectable and protein rich kurma that can be served with white rice or with idlis, dosas, chapattis/rotis etc. Do try out this Kondakadalai kurma and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out other interesting Vegetarian Gravies/Dhals/Kootu varieties here and KurmaVarieties here.

Here’s how to make Kondakadalai Kurma with step by step photos…

Paalada Paayasam/Paalada Pradaman/Rice Palada Paayasam

Paalada Paayasam/Pradaman is a traditional and mouth watering dessert of Kerala and holds an important place in Sadya. Rice Ada is nothing but rice flakes which are then cooked with milk and sugar until it thickens and turns to light pink color. Originally rice ada/flakes are prepared by soaking the rawrice, grinding, making thin ada’s and steam cooking them. But here I have used the store bought Rice Ada and followed the instructions given in the pack. Do try out this rich and creamy Paalada Pradaman and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out other interesting Paayasam/Kheer varieties here and other interesting sweet recipes here.

Here’s how to make Paalada Pradaman with step by step photos…