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August 31, 2015

Rajma Biryani Recipe-Rajma Rice-Sunday Lunch Recipes Series 28

Rajma biryani recipe
Last week I couldn’t make biryani recipes on Sunday as I was busy in Onam Sadya preparation.This Sunday I cooked Rajma biryani in an easy way following this recipe.I guess many of you make Rajma pulao/Rajma rice.This recipe is also very similar to that but its with slight variations in masala.I have already shared mixed pulses biryani using Chana,rajma etc.But today’s Rajma biryani recipe is simple to make compared to pulses biryani.Its an ideal lunch box recipe for kids & adults as well.Do give a try.Lets see how to prepare Rajma biryani in pressure cooker.Check out my other biryani recipes in this series here.
Rajma biryani recipe

Rajma Biryani recipe


Rajma Biryani recipe Rajma biryani recipe - Sunday Lunch Recipes Series 28
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Lunch menu
Serves: Serves 3
Prep time: 10 Hours
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 10H15Min


INGREDIENTS

  • Kashmir Rajma - 1/3 cup ( Its small in size than usual rajma)
  • Basmati rice - 1 cup
  • Salt - as needed
  • Water - 1.75 cups
To grind
  • Ginger - 1 inch & Garlic - 5 cloves OR G&G paste - 1/2 tbsp
  • Green chilli - 1-2 no
  • Turmeric powder - 1/8 tsp
  • Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Dhania powder - 1 tsp
  • Cloves - 2 nos
  • Cardamom - 1 no
  • Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
  • Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
To saute
  • Cooking oil - 1 tbsp
  • Bayleaf - 1 no
  • Big onion - 1 no
  • Tomato - 1no
  • Mint leaves - 1 tbsp chopped
  • Curd/yogurt - 1 tbsp
  • Ghee - 1 tbsp
METHOD
  • Wash and soak the rajma for 12 hours or overnight.I used Kashmiri rajma.So my rajma looks small in size( I soaked in hot box adding hot water.So mine cooked very soft).Wash and soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes.
Rajma biryani recipe
  • Grind all the ingredients given under “ to grind” to a smooth paste.Set aside.
Rajma biryani recipe

  • Heat oil in a pressure cooker base. Saute the bayleaf,sliced onions.Saute till onion turns transparent.Add the ground masala paste.Saute till the raw smell goes off.Add the chopped tomatoes & saute till mushy.Add the chopped mint leaves,curd and mix well.
Rajma biryani recipe
Rajma biryani recipe
  • Add water,salt and soaked rice & rajma.Add ghee & pressure cook in low flame for one whistle in low flame.Open the cooker,fluff the rice with a fork.Serve with raita !
Rajma biryani recipe
    Enjoy !
Note
  • Adjust the quantity of spices as per your taste
  • You can use the regular rajma in place of kashmiri rajma..

Try this simple n healthy rajma biryani recipe.It tastes yumm !!
Rajma biryani
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August 29, 2015

Palada Payasam - Kerala Style Palada Pradhaman Recipe In Pressure Cooker

Palada payasam in pressure cooker

Kerala palada payasam / Palada pradhaman recipe without condensed milk/milk maid using pressure cooker. Palada payasam is a creamy, rich Kerala payasam recipe that is made specially during festivals like Onam, Vishu. It is made with cows milk, sugar and ada (rice chips). 

Some people add condensed milk by reducing the quantity of sugar. But the traditional and authentic version is made by boiling and cooking ada in milk in a thick wide pan called Uruli in Malayalam. Milk gets reduced and becomes pink (pale rose) in color. This makes the payasam looks pink. But here I used store bought ada. I cooked the ada using pressure cooker and added in thickened, sweetened milk. It was very creamy and white not pinkish. It has become my favorite payasam now. Iam happy that I have tried Kerala's most popular Ada pradhaman and palada payasam for this year's onam sadya. Lets see how to make Kerala style palada payasam with step by step photo.

Kerala palada payasam

Palada payasam Recipe


Palada pradhaman Recipe Palada payasam using store bought ada made in a pressure cooker
Cuisine: Kerala
Category: Sweet
Serves: Serves 3
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 40 Minutes
Total time: 50 Minutes

INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
  • Store bought ada - 1/2 cup
  • Sugar- 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup
  • Full fat milk – 1 liter (OR cow's milk)
  • Cardamom - 3 nos ( crushed)
  • Cashews & raisins - few
  • Ghee - 2 tbsp
  • Salt -a pinch
METHOD
  • Wash and Soak the ada in hot water for 30 minutes & pressure cook it in medium flame for 1 whistle adding water twice the quantity of ada. Don’t worry even if ada turns slightly mushy because if you put them in milk ,it will separate. Remove the ada and set aside. Alternately, you can soak the small sized ada in hot water. Quantity of ada doubles after soaking. Wash the soaked ada in cold water and then add to boiling milk. You can skip pressure cooker step. 
Ada Pradhaman Recipe
Palada Pradhaman Recipe
  • Boil the milk in a pan and keep stirring to avoid burnt bottom. Boil the milk till it reduces to half. Milk turns pale rose in color. Now add the cooked ada , boil and cook the ada in milk. Lastly add sugar and mix till it dissolves . Boil for sometime till the desired consitency is reached.
  • If you wish you can add condensed milk at this stage by reducing sugar. Add cardamom powder and roasted nuts. Switch off the flame. 

Enjoy !
Note
  • Adjust the quantity of sugar as per your taste.
  • Use full fat milk for rich taste.
Palada pradhaman

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August 27, 2015

Kerala Ulli Sambar Recipe - Kerala Sambar For Idli, Dosa & Rice

For every Onam sadya menu,I love to try varieties of Kerala style sambar.I have tried Mixed vegetable sambar and Arachuvitta sambar. This year, I prepared Kerala Ulli sambar/Onion(Shallot) sambar without coconut for the first time from Kothiyavunu. It was easy to make without coconut, grinding job and tasted yummy just like restaurant style sambar. It was a good side dish for idli,dosa & tiffin varieties like pongal,upma and it was also a good accompaniment for plain rice.We loved this sambar very much.The highlight of this recipe is that the spice powders are roasted and mixed with the sambar at the end.It gives a superb flavor to the sambar and tastes more like hotel ones.You can try this sambar for mini idli.It tastes awesome with ghee.Do try this easy sambar recipe for this Onam sadya and enjoy.Lets see the preparation of Kerala style ulli sambar .

Check out our Tamil nadu style Vengaya sambar recipe for rice.


Kerala Ulli Sambar Recipe


Kerala Ulli Sambar Recipe Kerala Ulli Sambar Recipe - How to make Shallot/Small Onion sambar for idli,dosa & rice
Cuisine: Kerala
Category: Side dish
Serves: Serves 4
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 200ml
  • Toor dal - 1/2 cup
  • Tamarind - Medium lemon size
  • Coconut oil – 1 tbsp ( for sauting)
  • Small onion/Shallots - 20 nos
  • Green chillies – 1-2 nos
  • Curry leaves - few
  • Tomato - 1 no
  • Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
  • Coriander powder - 2 tsp
  • Sambar powder – 1 tbsp
  • Salt & water - as needed
  • Jaggery – 1/2 tsp
To temper
  • Coconut oil - 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Hing/Asafetida - a pinch
  • Red chilli - 1 no
To garnish
  • Coriander leaves - as needed
METHOD
  • Soak tamarind in war water and take the extract using 1 cup of water.Pressure cook toor dal adding enough water,turmeric powder & a pinch of hing.Mash well and set aside.
  • Heat oil in a kadai and saute the small onions,green chillies,curry leaves till onion turns transparent. Add the tomato pieces,salt & saute till mushy.

  • Add the tamarind extract,turmeric powder and boil well. Add jaggery.After the onions are cooked well,add the mashed dal.

  • Heat oil in a kadai and when its heated , splutter mustard seeds,cumin seeds,hing,sambar powder,red chilli powder & dhania powder.Mix well in medium flame and add everything to the sambar.Boil well for a minute.Add raw curry leaves.Switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves. Enjoy !

Visit my Onam Sadya recipes here

Note
  • Make sure you don’t burn the masala powders while roasting.
  • Adding them at the end is the highlight of this ulli sambar.So do follow the same.
  • Add more chilli powder & sambar powder as per your taste.
  • You can also add big onions if you don’t have small onions in hand.But small onions gives the nice flavor.
Enjoy Kerala style Ulli sambar with by mixing with plain rice & ghee.It can also be had with Idli,dosa & pongal !



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August 26, 2015

Ada Pradhaman Recipe - Kerala Style Onam Payasam Recipes

Ada pradhaman recipe
Ada Pradhaman is an yummy, traditional Kerala style dessert recipe (Payasam recipe) that is made specially during Onam and Vishu. Onam sadya would not be complete without Ada pradhaman. Last year I tried Palada pradhaman by making homemade ada(Rice chips) using rice flour.

This time I found a packet of readymade ada in a nearby store. So I bought them and tried both palada pradhaman( with milk & sugar) and Ada pradhaman( with coconut milk & jaggery) recipes. My job became much easier with store bought ada. I referred Kitchentreats and few video for making Ada pradhaman. It came out very well. The flavor and taste of cooked ada with jaggery syrup and coconut milk was awesome. We had two bowls of this ada payasam after having the splendid Onam Sadya lunch. Color of this payasam may vary based on the color of jaggery. Some people also make it using Milkmaid / condensed milk or cows milk. But its not the traditional method. Ok, Lets see the preparation of Kerala style Ada pradhaman recipe.

Check out my Onam sadya lunch menu ideas and recipes herea !!

Ada Pradhaman Recipe

Ada pradhaman Recipe


Ada pradhaman Recipe Ada Pradhaman using store bought ada
Cuisine: Kerala
Category: Sweet
Serves: Serves 3
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes

INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
  • Store bought ada - 1/2 cup
  • Grated Jaggery - 1 cup
  • Thin Coconut milk – 1/2 cup
  • Thick coconut milk - 1 cup
  • Cardamom - 2 nos ( crushed)
  • Roasted coconut - 2 tbsp
  • Cashews and raisins - optional
  • Ghee - 2 tbsp
  • Milk – as needed (optional)
HOW TO MAKE ADA PRADHAMAN - METHOD
  • Soak the ada in hot water for 30 minutes & pressure cook it in medium flame for 1 whistle adding water twice the quantity of ada. Don’t worry even if ada turns slightly mushy because if you put them in jaggery syrup,it will separate. Remove the ada and set aside. 
  • Alternately, you can soak the ada in hot water for 30 minutes. Drain and wash in cold water to retain its shape. I follow this step if the ada is small in size. I use Double horse brand for small sized ada. 
Ada Pradhaman Recipe
Ada Pradhaman Recipe
  • Chop a coconut slice into small pieces. Chop the cashews and roast everything in ghee. Adding nuts is optional. Add to the payasam at the end.
  • Slice the coconut using the back of ladle or knife OR grate a medium sized coconut. Grind it adding 1 cup of water. Strain the thick coconut milk. This is first milk. Set aside. Again grind the mixture adding 1/2 cup of water and take the second milk. Keep aside.
Ada Pradhaman Recipe
Ada Pradhaman Recipe

  • In a wide bowl, melt the jaggery and strain the syrup to remove the impurities. Add this syrup to the cooked ada. Boil well. Add the 2nd milk and boil for few minutes. Roll boil till its becomes thick and creamy. Lastly add the first milk. Lower the flame completely. Mix well , give one boil in very low flame if needed. Pradhaman should not roll boil after adding first coconut milk. It may curdle. So switch off the stove after adding the first milk..
  •  Lastly add the crushed cardamom powder, roasted coconut pieces, cashews and raisins and add to the payasam. Ada pradhaman thickens as it cools down. 
Ada Pradhaman Recipe
Ada Pradhaman Recipe

Enjoy !
Note
  • Adjust the quantity of jaggery as per your taste.
  • Adding dark colored jaggery /Paagu vellam gives a nice color to this payasam.
  • Adding cashews & dry grapes in optional. But don’t skip roasted coconut.
  • Add more coconut milk  & ghee for rich taste.

Try this tasty ada pradhaman payasam for Onam and enjoy with your family !


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August 25, 2015

Onam Sadhya Lunch Menu Recipes - How To Make Kerala Onam Sadya At Home


I wish all my readers and friends a very happy Onam.”ONAM ASHAMSAKAL” !! I am happy to post my 4th Onam sadya menu. This year’s Onam festival is falling on August 29 , 2023. I have been sharing Kerala Onam sadya lunch menu ideas for the past 3 years successfully. Every year I wait for Onam festival to make this feast and I always wish to make it better than my previous onam sadya lunch menu.

This year I prepared nearly 18 dishes, bought few from stores and served 25 dishes in Banana leaf. It took nearly 3 hours for me to make this thali. In my 5 years of cooking, this is the first time I cooked & clicked continuously for 3-4 hours and that too lots of varieties. All the dishes came out very well. Sendhil & Raksha gave a big thumbs up and had a hearty meal. 

This year I tried Ada pradhaman, Kootu curry, Carrot kichadi, Kerala Ulli sambar and Sambaram recipes for the first time by referring few blogs. I have posted most of the recipes with stepwise pictures in my Onam sadya menu 1 & 2.

So I have shared those links and the blogs from which I followed the remaining dishes. I have also discussed the method I followed to cook the sadya easily. I hope beginners would find it useful. Lets see how to make Onam sadya lunch recipes at home with some preparatory works.

Check out my Onam sadya Menu - 1 

Onam sadya Menu - 2 

Onam sadya Menu - 3
Onam sadya

 

Onam sadya recipes


Onam sadya recipes Kerala Onam Sadya Lunch Menu ideas
Cuisine: Kerala
Category: Lunch menu
Serves: Serves 3-4
Prep time: 60 Minutes
Cook time: 120 Minutes
Total time: 180 Minutes

INGREDIENTS
Recipes list - Main course
Side dishes
Pickles & Payasam
Other recipes u may wish to try
HOW TO MAKE ONAM SADYA - METHOD
  • Plan the menu and buy the vegetables accordingly. Soak the tamarind and pulses in over night or do it in the early morning.
  • In the morning soak the vanpayar/Cowpeas & brown chana separately in hot water for making Erissery & Kootu curry. It will take around 4 hours to soak.
  • I used 2 cookers of 3 liter capacity for making this menu.
  • Grate 2 coconuts or slice the coconut with a help of ladle OR using a knife. Grind it in a big mixie jar without adding water and keep aside. Take the required amount of coconut for each dish. Most of the dishes call for grinding coconut +green chilli+ jeera to a smooth paste. So grind it by taking a portion of coconut. Keep it and use wherever needed. Use the remaining coconut for taking coconut milk. Add in payasam.
  • Soak the Ada in water for 30 minutes if it is store bought. I bought ada from stores and soaked in hot water for 30 minutes before I pressure cook it.
  • Dry roast the moong dal in a pressure cooker base for making parippu curry. In the same cooker, take toor dal in a closed box and keep it inside. Cook both the dals adding water, turmeric powder, a red chilli & hing. In the mean time, you can chop the vegetables for sambar, avial, olan, pulisssery, pachadi, kichadi & inji curry. By this time, steam would be released from the cooker. Remove the toor dal box and mash the dal well. Similarly mash the moong dal too. Add little ground coconut paste to moong dal and boil well.
  • In another cooker base, add the soaked ada. Keep a bowl and put the cut chena/Yam pieces. Add little water, salt. Cover it with a plate and put some Pumpkin pieces/Mathanga along with chopped Ash gourd. Everything gets cooked well in one whistle under low flame. After removing this, cook the red rice adding 1:12 water and drain the excess water. Keep the rice aside.
  • Make sambar, rasam and other dishes. Make the payasam at the end !

Make this feast on Onam and enjoy !

Onam sadya recipes



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August 22, 2015

Varalakshmi Vratham Pooja Procedure | Puja Vidhanam

Picture Courtesy – My friend Archana

In this post I have shared how to do Varalakshmi vratham Pooja at home with details about the decoration, things needed, requirements for pooja, slokhas, Varalakshmi viratham neivedyam recipes and also about a simple Varamahalakshmi pooja at home for first timers. Hope beginners would find this information useful to you. Usually Varalakshmi pooja is celebrated in last Shukla paksha/ Valarpirai, Friday of Shravana month. This year Varalakshmi pooja falls on Friday,  AUGUST 25, 2023.

Varalakshmi Vratham/Varamahalakshmi festival is the most auspicious festival celebrated by married woman (Hindu) to commemorate Goddess Mahalakshmi."Vara" means "boon" and Goddess Lakshmi grants all boons to those who performs pooja with utmost devotion on this day

Varalakshmi Vratam is a most popular festival in South Indian states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamilnadu & North Indian states like Maharashtra & Orissa. Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmi ( 8 Lakshmi)– Goddesses of Wealth(Shri), Earth (Bhu), Learning (Saraswati), Love (Priti), Fame(Kirti), Peace (Shanti), Pleasure (Tushti) and Strength (Pushti). 

This pooja is performed for the well being of family members especially for the life of Husband & to get children, wealth etc. Every year Varalakshmi Vratham is observed in Sravana (in Telugu) month (Avani in Tamil & Sawan in Hindi). It is celebrated on Friday preceeding the full moon day (Pournami). Those who cannot perform it on that day, can do it on any other Friday in that month. On this day, married woman should observe fasting till they finish the puja.

In my family, both Mom & MIL don’t have the practice of doing Varalakshmi Viratham but every Friday we used to do Vilakku poojai for Goddess Mahalakshmi. But still I am making this post as per a reader's request. A reader from Chennai mailed me to share the details of Varalakshmi Vratham with pooja vidhanam/procedures and slokas as she is a beginner. 

So I thought of asking my friends who perform Varalakshmi Vrata every year in a grand manner. For making this post, I took the help from two of my friends Shalini and Archana. When I told them about this post, they became very happy and shared their pooja procedures along with their Varalakshmi decoration pictures.

Shalini gave me a book titled “Aadi, Avani maadha Pooja Vidhanam” in which all the important festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Varalakshmi Vratham, Naga Chathurthi and Garuda Panchami were discussed in detail with slokhas in Tamil. Not just that, Shalini spent nearly 3-4 hours over phone , explained each and everything about the pooja while I was drafting the post. Without the help of Shalini, this post would not have come up in my blog. I must really thank God for giving me such a helpful friend in all aspects of my life.

 If you are a beginner and looking for Varalakshmi pooja slokas in Tamil, right click on the images and click "Save as", download and save them in your mobile or PC and chant these slokas while doing the pooja. I have also shared some audio, video links for people who look for Varalakshmi vratham pooja vidhanam and idol decoration in Telugu and Tamil . 

Please scroll through the end of this post to check the links. Lets see the Neivedyam recipes list, pooja items requirements list, Things needed for varalakshmi pooja, Pooja procedures, Varalakshmi vratham story and slokhas for Varalakshmi Vrata in step by step.

Please visit my in-laws kolam blog "Learn Kolam" for Rangoli ideas. Lets see how to do Varamahalakshmi Pooja at home :)

Pic courtesy – My friend Shalini made God's face with turmeric powder.

Varalakshmi Pooja Prasadam Recipes

Let me start with the list of Neivedyam Recipes. You can make any 5, 7 or 9 dishes for count.

Check out my list of Varalakshmi vratham recipes of Tamil nadu, Andhra and Karnataka. 


Items required for Varalakshmi Pooja
  • Rice flour & colors – for drawing rangoli ( Please visit my in-laws kolam blog "Learn Kolam" for Rangoli ideas.)
  • Thambaalam/A big plate OR A wooden plank/Peeta
  • Few Banana leaves
  • Raw Rice – as needed ( to spread over the peeta)
  • One Kudam/Kalasha ( silver, bronze or copper)
  • Water scented with Jathikai/Mace, Cardamom, Saffron threads/edible camphor, Cloves(to fill the kalasha)
  • few Mango leaves ( to keep on top of kalasha)
  • One coconut for kalasha and few more for thamboolam bags
  • Turmeric powder ( for making gowri,if you have the practice)
  • Kumkum
  • Chandan( Sandal paste)
  • Akshatha ( Raw rice coated with turmeric/Manjal podi)
  • One lotus flower
  • Face of goddess ( Available ready made in Market)
  • Jewelries ( For Eyes, Nose – Available in market)
  • Dress and blouse piece for Lakshmi ( Buy in market)
  • Flowers and garland ( for archanai & decoration)
  • Betel leaves, Betel nut, Banana ( Vetrilai, Paaku, Vazhai Pazham)
  • Thoram for hands/pongu nool for neck (Thoram is nothing but a sacred thread  coated with turmeric powder with 9 strings and 9 knots whereas Pongu nool is a single thread smeared with turmeric powder)
  • Milk, Dry fruits & nuts ( optional)
  • Fruits ( all seasonal fruits)
  • Panchamirtham ( a mixture of fruits, jaggery, dry fruits, nuts and ghee)(optional)
  • Neivedyam recipes ( Idli, Sweet pooran kozhukattai ( poornam borelu), ellu kozhukattai, Karjikai/fried sweet samosa, Chitranna, Payasam, sweet appam ( based on your tradition).
  • Thamboolam set of kumkum,chandan,bangles, Betel leaves and nuts, Yellow rope, blouse pieces, coconut, banana along with 1 rupee coins) – Make them ready as per the number of ladies you invite.
  • Ready made(plastic) cups and bowls for distributing prasadam.
  • Mahalakshmi stothram book or download the images I have shared here.

About the Pooja Vidhanam book

The slokas I have shared here is from a book titled "Aadi avani maadha Pooja vidhanam". This book was given as a compliment for my friend's mom in Pudukottai and it was published in the year 2000. I don't think whether this book is available in the market. But I am sure you can get the book for Varalakshmi vratham with story, Mahalakshmi Ashtothram in Giri trading agency.
I have shared the title pages of book as per a reader's suggestion. 

Please leave a comment in the feedback section if you get any books of this kind. It would be useful for all the people landing in this page. Thanks ! Please click on the image to see the bigger sized picture.

Varalakshmi viratham pooja book


Pre preparatory works for Varalakshmi Pooja

On Thursday morning,wash all the pooja vessels and kalasha pot.Wash the lamps, keep kumkum dots and put threads. Oil the lamp and keep it ready for the next day use. Make the thoran and pongu nool and arrange the other pooja things in a plate.
 
You can also prepare the stuffing for sweet pooran kozhukattai, soak the pulses for sundal and grind the batter for idli.

Padi Poojai/Chukkalu pette pandaga(Telugu)on Thursday evening

On thursday evening around 5.30 pm, sweep the entrance of each room (Nilai padi/vaasal padi).  Apply turmeric on the sides and draw 2 lines using kumkum. It is partitioned into three divisions. Put chandan & kumkum dots. This pooja is done to welcome Goddess Lakshmi and it shows the beginning of next day function. 

Light the lamp, perform pooja by keeping some neivdeyam like sundal, sweet appam etc. Read the Varalakshmi Vratham story. I have attached the story picture in Tamil. Please refer it. Some people read the stories on Friday after completing the pooja.So its your choice.
 
You can also keep the manai/Wooden plank/Peeta and place a banana leaf over it. Spread the raw rice and keep it ready for next day’s pooja. Remember you should not keep the kalasha now. It should be kept only on Friday. Please click on the image to see the bigger sized picture.



Varalakshmi Pooja Story in English
The story happens in a beautiful town called Kundinagaram located in the Kingdom of Vidarbha /Vidharba Rajyam. In that Kundinagram town, Goddess Adilakshmi, being pleased by her devotion tells Charumathi in a dream and directed her to perform the vrata to enable her to fulfil her desires. Charumathi wakes up and tells her husband about the dream. 
Charumathi along with some neighbourhood women takes bath in the early morning hours and prepare a mandapam and invites Varalakshmi Devi. She recites the following sloka along with other women with utmost faith and devotion.
Lakshmi Ksheerasamudra rajatanyam sri rangadhameswareem
Dasibootha samastha devavanitham lokaika deepamkuram
Sri manmanda kataksha labdhivibhat brahmendra gangadharam
Twamtrayamlokyakutumbhineem sasijavandemukunda priyam
Then she wore nine threads / Thoranam to right hand and offers naivadyam to Goddess Lakshmi Devi. On the completion of the first circumstance, she heard she found Gajjelu, Andelu and other ornaments. On the second circumstance, they found kankanams made of navaratnams to their hands. On completion of the third circumstance, they found immense wealth.

Then Charumathi offers Tambulam to the brahmin priests and distribute the vrata prasadam to the relatives and lead a happy life. Since then, Hindu women perform this vrata with utmost faith and trust till today. With this, Lord Eswara concludes telling the story to Goddess Parvathi.

Source:http://devotionalonly.com/varalakshmi-vratam-pooja-procedure-and-story/

How to make thoram and Pongu nool

Thoram and Pongu nool are nothing but the sacred thread smeared with turmeric powder. Thoram is made by taking 9 strings of thread. Put 9 knots in equal intervals. The number of thoram depends on the number of ladies & young girls at home. Thoram has to be tied around your wrist and Pongu nool is nothing but a single thread smeared with turmeric powder.

You should tie it around your neck.Married ladies wear both Pongu nool and thoram whereas young girls tie thoram alone. Keep the thoram, Pongu nool, 9 betel leaves, 9 betel nuts, 9 banana, 9 dates, 9 turmeric sticks, kumkum box, Karimani mala ( black beads chain) in a plate and keep it ready for pooja. You can do all these works on Thursday night itself.

How to make the kalasha/Kalasam for Varalakshmi Pooja

For making Kalasam / Kalash, Fill the silver or bronze pot(kudum) with scented water (add cardamom, nutmeg, edible camphor etc) till its brim. Some people add kumkum, turmeric powder, dry fruits in the water. Some people have the practice of keeping raw rice, 1 lemon, 9 betel leaves(vetrilai), 9 betel nuts, 9 turmeric sticks( manjal kizhangu), 9 dry grapes, 1 moulded jaggery (Achu vellam), dry fruits & a karimani mala (black bead chain), coins inside the kalasha instead of scented water. 

So please make the kalasha according to your tradition. On the top of kalasha, place 5 mango leaves( keep in odd numbers) and keep a coconut smeared with turmeric. The tail portion of coconut should face upward. Kalasam should face east. After making the kalasha, keep a kumkum dot and keep aside till you make other arrangements.

How To Make Kalasam For Varalakshmi Pooja


The next day i.e Friday, after taking bath, wear a silk saree and some gold ornaments ( old or new). Wash the place where the pooja is going to be held. One should observe fasting till the Pooja is finished( Elderly woman can have milk and fruits). Draw rangoli using rice flour and place the peeta/Wooden plank/Manai OR Big plate/Thambaalam. 

Spread a banana leaf and put some raw rice ( If you have done this on Thursday night, skip this step and proceed to the next step).
Place the kalasha over the rice. Cover the coconut using a new blouse piece( made into cone shape by referring the video link given below). 
 
To this coconut, an image of Goddess Lakshmi is fixed or the image of Lakshmi made using turmeric powder. My friend makes the face of Lakshmi using turmeric powder as shown in the second picture. In some areas, women place a mirror behind the kalasham. Today, there are specially made Varalakshmi pots  and faces available in the market. So you can buy and fix it with the blouse piece.Now the kalasham symbolically represents Goddess Lakshmi.

Decorate the idol with dress and Jewelries and garlands. You can dress it with a tucked saree or skirt (Pavadai). Put some jewels (Preferably gold) and tie a pongu nool around the neck. It is considered to be the Mangal sutra(Thali) Keep chandan & KumKum dots. Now Goddess Lakshmi idol is ready to perform pooja. Make a cone shaped Ganesh/Pillayar using turmeric powder mixed with water and keep it near the kalasha. Light the lamps at the time of pooja and start doing it.

Please refer this video for decorating Goddess Lakshmi Idol.

How to Perform Varalakshmi Pooja

Lets see how to do Varalakshmi Pooja with all slokhas below. 

Ganesh pooja

Any auspicious festival should be started with Lord Ganesh pooja. So make a small cone shaped Ganesha using turmeric powder ( Manjal pillayar). Place it near the kalasha. Read the sthothram given below and worship Lord Ganesha to do this pooja without any obstacle and after chanting the sthothram, move the Ganesh towards North direction.

शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम् ।
प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये ॥


Shukla-Ambara-Dharam Vissnnum Shashi-Varnnam Chatur-Bhujam |
Prasanna-Vadanam Dhyaayet Sarva-Vighno[a-U]pashaantaye
||

Meaning:
1: (We Meditate on Sri Vishnu) Who is Wearing White Clothes, Who is All-Pervading, Who is Bright in Appearance like the Moon and Who is Having Four Hands,
2: Who is Having a Compassionate and Gracious Face, Let us Meditate on Him To Ward of all Obstacles.
Source : (http://www.greenmesg.org/mantras_slokas/sri_vishnu-shuklambaradharam_vishnum.php)



Varalakshmi vratham slokha


Avahanam and Anga Pooja
After finishing Ganesha pooja, take some flowers and akshatha in hand and chant the Avahanam slokha. Visualise Goddess Lakshmi in mind and offer the flowers and akshatha to kalasha. Goddess Lakshmi is invited to our house.

Lakshmi Ksheera Samudra Raaja Tanaya
Sree Ranga Dhaameshvari
Daasi Bhootha Samasata Deva Vanithaam
Lokaika Deepankuraam
Sreeman Manda Kataaksha Labdha Vibhava
Brahmendra Gangaadharam
Tvaam Trailokya Kudumbineem
Sarasijam Vande Mukunda Priyaam

Meaning: Goddess Lakshmi, who is the daughter of the king of the ocean of milk, whose abode is Srirangam (with Lord Ranganatha), who is served by all the divine ladies in heaven, who is the guiding light for the world, who has obtained the sustained (continued, everlasting) glance (Grace) from Brahma, Indra and Shiva, whose abode is the three worlds (Bhu, Bhuva, Suvaha) - I offer my prostrations to Thee, the beloved of Lord Krishna (Mukunda). 
 
Now perform Anga Pooja (Worshipping each body parts of Lakshmi). Offer flowers to Kalasha by chanting Anga pooja sthothram. Refer the picture below for Anga pooja Sthothram in Tamil. Please refer this link in Hindupad for sthothra in English.

Following this, chant Lakshmi Ashtothram(108) by offering flowers to Kalasha.
Refer the below picture for Anga Pooja slokha & Lakshmi ashtothram ( Click on the image to see the bigger sized picture). 


Varalakshmi viratham slokhas


Varalakshmi vratham slokhas


Proceed with thoram Pooja/Nonbu Saradu poojai which is known as Thorakrandhi pooja.

Thorakrandhi pooja / Nonbu pooja


Neivedyam and Mangala Aarathi
Finally, Mangala Harathi is performed for the kalasha. Different types of sweets/neivedyam are offered in front of the God. Nonbu saradu/Thoram (yellow thread) should be tied on the woman's right hand and Pongu nool should be tied around your neck. You can ask your Husband to do this. At the end, take harathi by mixing turmeric & kumkum in water. Sing the Harathi song while taking mangala aarathi.

Mangala harathi song
Mangala harathi song

If you have not read the Varalakshmi Vratham story on Thursday, do it now.
 
Offer the Thamboolam – Coconut, betel leaf and nuts, turmeric sticks, kumkum, coconut along with flowers, blouse piece, mirror and comb is offered to women in the locality and in the evening an Harathi is offered to Lakshmi with some neivedyam.

Punar Puja - How To Remove Kalasha

Some people remove the kalasha on Friday night. But my friends told me to do it on Saturday. On Saturday morning, after taking bath, perform a pooja for the kalasha. Then dismantle it at auspicious time of the day.  Consume little water as theertha. Sprinkle it all around in the house. Then pour the remaining water in well, trees or tulsi plant. If rice is used in Kalasha, mix it with rice in the house. If you used coins, keep in the locker safe. You can remove the nonbu saradu/Pongu nool and thoram after 3 days or on Saturday. Make some sweets with the coconut you kept in kalasam and enjoy with your family. Do not make any spicy dishes with the coconut. 

If you want to strictly follow all the rules and methods of Varalakshmi Puja, then it would be wise to take the advice from an elderly woman who is regularly performing the puja. What I have shared here is purely based on the procedure given in the book and pooja methods shared by my friend Shalini. It may vary from place to place and tradition. Thanks for visiting this page. Please write few words in the comment section if you find this post useful. I will be more happy to know it.
Last but not the least please find the links which I felt them useful for beginners.

Some useful Links for Slokhas & Videos for beginners

Refer THIS LINK for the detailed pooja procedure with slokhas in English
  1. This VIDEO will help you to decorate Lakshmi Idol & placing Kalasha.
  2. If you want to do the pooja by listening to slokhas chanted by a priest, please refer this AUDIO, AUDIO & VIDEO , THIS VIDEO for Telugu Version. You can just follow the instructions and perform pooja.

How to do simple Varalakshmi Pooja

Some people don’t have the practice of Varalakshmi Vratham but still they may like to perform this pooja in a simple way. For doing a simple pooja: Light the lamp, keep some neivedyam and do the pooja by chanting Mahalakshmi Ashtothram. 

Distribute the Thamboolam and prasadam by inviting married woman to your house in the evening. There are no hard and fast rules in performing the Varalakshmi Puja and you can be flexible on the puja items. Even a simple prayer will please Goddess Lakshmi.

On this auspicious day, lets pray Goddess Vara Mahalakshmi to bless us with peace, health & wealth !!

NOTE from a reader Mrs. REVATI

She has been doing this Pooja since 27yrs. Thanks a lot for sharing this valuable information mam.

 If any close relative from in-laws side dies, we should not perform full puja BUT on the festival day one must take out Amman moham/ face and keep in silver glass or panchatram with rice, tambulam, coin in it in silver or peetalai / brass plate with banana leaf below. Yellow thread should be kept in amman, neivedyam should be done with fruits, beetal leaf, supari, manjal. After that tie sharadu in your right hand.

Please go through the comments section for frequently asked queries and answers. As the number of comments have exceeded the limit, most of the latest comments are available in second page. So please click "LOAD MORE" BUTTON in MOBILE below the comments box to see the second page in your mobile. If you are using desktop or tablet, please click the " 1-200 of 219 newer newest >> " to see the second page. Experienced people, do share your pooja methods with us, it will help everyone. Thanks !

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August 20, 2015

Curd Kodubale-Mosaru Kodubale Recipe-Karnataka Snack Recipes

Kodubale is one of the most popular snack recipes of Karnataka.I am a big fan of it.This afternoon I was badly tempted to try some crispy, deep fried snacks recipes and I was looking for a good chakli/Murukku recipeBatting Eyelashes.I found one and called my friend Archana(school moms group) to confirm the recipe.But she suggested me to try Curd Kodubale(Mosaru kodubale) and shared her family recipe with me. I became double happy and tried it immediately.Ingredients,Preparation,color,taste and texture of this kodubale is completely different from the usual ones.I have heard Curd kodubale is served as a breakfast along with green coconut chutney.I have also tasted them in Food street,VV puram.But Archu told me that they have this as an evening snack along with tea.Breakfast or snack,whatever it may be,the taste is ultimate.The beauty of this recipe is,it doesn’t have any fat like butter,ghee or oil and not even maida in the dough.But I won't say its a low calorie snack as it is deep fried.Its just made of rice flour cooked in Curd + spices mixture.It can be made quickly and it tastes spicy with mild tanginess.What are you waiting for,just try this snack for your family in this weekend and take the credits !Peace Sign Lets see how to make this yummy Karnataka special Kodubale recipe.

Curd Kodubale/Mosaru Kodubale recipe


Curd Kodubale/Mosaru Kodubale recipe Karnataka special Snack/breakfast recipe - Curd Kodubale/Mosaru koduable !
Cuisine: Karnataka
Category: Snacks
Serves: 25-30nos
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup = 200ml
  • Rice flour - 1 cup
  • Sour curd - 1/2 cup
  • Water - 1 cup
  • Red chilli powder or green chilli paste - 1 tsp
  • Hing/Asafetida - a big pinch
  • Cumin seeds/Jeera - 1/2 tsp
  • Yellow Moong dal - 2 tsp
  • Coriander leaves- 1 tbsp
  • Salt - as needed
  • Cooking oil - to deep fry
METHOD
  • Take 1/2 cup of curd and whisk it by adding 1 cup of water.You will get 1.5 cups of buttermilk in total.To that buttermilk,add the spice powders,salt,moong dal,coriander leaves and cumin seeds.Mix well.

  • Boil the buttermilk mixture for 2-3 minutes. Simmer the flame and add the rice flour.Mix well and make a thick dough.Remove from the flame and let it become warm.Use your hands and knead the dough.

  • Take a small ball sized dough and roll it to make a thick cylinder.Join the edges and make a circle shape. Cover & keep the remaining dough else it will become dry and cracks will form in kodubale.

  • Heat oil in a kadai and check the heat by dropping a pinch of dough.If it rises immediately,the temperature is just right.Drop the rolled kodubale and deep fry  in low to medium heat till the bubbles cease in oil.Flip it whenever needed.Deep fry in batches and store in a box once its cools down completely.
Enjoy !
Note
  • Add more chilli powder as per your taste.
  • The color of this kodubale is supposed to be white.So do not brown them.
  • Use sour curd for best taste.But use 1/4 cup of curd if it is too sour.
  • Do not forget to knead the dough.Dough should be smooth without cracks.


Crispy Kodubale with Hot tea !! Yummmm !


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