Thiruvathirai Kali

in festival special

 

 

Thiruvathirai Kali is a sweet , made from rice , dal and jaggery mixture . Its made as an offering to Lord Nataraja  , in the month of Margazhi , on a full moon day , falling on star of Thiruvadhirai . This  festival is celebrated by the devotees , of Lord Shiva , in reverance  of his cosmic dance,  Thandavam. Special Poojas are offered , in all Shiva temples,  especially to Lord Nataraja in Chidambaram. Hyms and Pasurams are sung in praise of the Lord and processions are taken around the Shiva temples.

The Kali and Ezhukari Koootu , is offered as Prasadam , to Lord Nataraja.

This Kali is very simple to make , with basic ingredients .

Ingredients

  1. Rice     1 cup
  2. Moong Dal / Payatham Paruppu   2 tablespoons
  3. Chana dal / Bengal gram dal   1 tablespoon
  4. Jaggery 1 cup
  5. Ghee    3 tablespoons
  6. Cardamom Powder  1/2 teaspoon
  7. Cashewnuts  5 to 8

Method

  • Dry roast all  rice and dals , to light brown and powder them coarsely , to a rava like texture .
  • Shallow fry the nuts, in a tablespoon of ghee.
  • Dissolve the jaggery ,in three cups of water, in a deep bottomed kadai.
  • Boil in low heat , till it dissolves . Add a teaspoon of ghee.
  • Add the rice mixture and mix well . Cook in low heat, covered ,  till all  the moisture is absorbed .
  • Kali would have cooked soft. Add cardamom powder , nuts and rest of the ghee and stir .
  • Remove from heat . Offer as Neivedhyam and serve .
  • More jaggery or sugar can be added , if desired.