MAGIZHAMPOO THENKUZHAL

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Magizhampoo thenkuzhal also called as mullu murukku is one of my favourites.This crunchy muruku is often prepared for Krishna Jayanthi and Diwali.As I am not an expert in making suthu muruku I often end up making this.

VARALAKSHMI NONBU/VRATAM

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One of the readers had inquired about the pooja procedures when I posted about the home made pooja mandap for varalakshmi vratham last year.I have compiled the procedures as per our family customs. This year Varalakshmi pooja falls on 8 Aug 2014.

AKKARA VADISAL | AKKARA ADISAL

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Akkara vadisal is an Iyengar speciality dish and is offered as prasadam in most of the Vaishnavite temples.This looks similar to Chakkarai pongal however the quantity of ingredients and method of cooking is totally different. In akkara vadisal, the rice is slowly cooked in large quantities of milk and also it has a semi solid consistency.For sakkari pongal, rice is cooked in water and little or no milk is used.

Every year whenever we visit our family deity at Thiruvannamalai, Srivilliputhur (not to be confused with Thiru Annamalai), we also visit Aandal temple.Kannadi maligai (mirror hall), Palkova and Akkara vadisal  are the main attractions for me in this temple.

There is an interesting story behind why Akkara vadisal is offered on Aadi pooram.

Aandal was born in Aadi pooram who is the author of Thirupavai and Naachiar thirumozhi.She was determined to marry Renganathar at her young age.In Nachiar Thirumozhi there is a mention about akkara vadisal

மாலிருஞ்சோலை நம்பிக்கு நான் நூறு தடா நிறைந்த வெண்ணை வாய் நேர்ந்து பராவி வைத்தேன் நூறு தடா நிறைந்த அக்காரவடிசல் சொன்னேன்.

Maliruncholai nambikku naan noor thada niraintha vennai

vai nerdhu paraavi vaiththen nooru thada niraintha akkaravadisal sonnen

RECIPES FOR AADI PATHINETTAM PERUKU

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While the whole month of Tamil month Aadi is considered to be auspicious there are certain days that are more significant.Aadi pathinettam perukku is one such festival that importance of water.It falls on 18th day of Aadi when monsoon is in peak.The word peruku signifies overflow/rising.The rivers & lakes will be overflowed with water during this time.

This festival is celebrated in an elaborate manner in the banks of Kaveri particularly in villages.Women wear new clothes. Some even take a dip on the holy rivers.Families join together and have lunch with prepared rice varieties on the banks of river.Sambar, rasam is not prepared during this day. Instead prepared rice varities such as Lemon rice, tamarind rice, curd rice, kalkandu rice/sakkari pongal is made (This is easy for picnicing to the river as well)

Though I did not have much chance to participate in the actual celebration near the rivers , we still prepare the rice varieties at home. This day is also auspicious to buy gold and to sow seeds.

Recipes for aadi peruku