Today is the last day of Pongala, the Hindu festival in Kerala, South India.
This festival if for Women only and it is considered the biggest gathering of women on earth, it literally takes over all of Thiruvananthapuram City, including shops, buss stands, and all governmental buildings around the temple ground. All women take part together, no difference of cast, belief or social status.
So today don't be shy, gather all your sisterhood and celebrate a kind of women's day!
So today don't be shy, gather all your sisterhood and celebrate a kind of women's day!
At this time everyone goes in pilgrimage to Attukal Bhagavathy Temple to worship Devi, the Mother Goddess.So take a trip (even if just a short one) to honor The Divine Mother, the creator of all things. Take some moments to connect, inside, and feel what this means to you, The Mother, and your honoring can mean visiting your own Mother... can be a picnic, celebrating Mother Earth near an ancient tree...
Women offer sweet rice porridge (called paysam) made with rice, milk, nuts and raisins (this is so yummmy!)
Try the recipe, it's so delicious I can still remember the first time I had it, the children are going to love it I am sure!!
Try the recipe, it's so delicious I can still remember the first time I had it, the children are going to love it I am sure!!
Oh, want to get the children involved...?
In this festival young boys (under 12) are allowed to perform rituals honoring the goddess: staying at the temple, sleeping on the floor, having strict diet restrictions, bathing three times a day, and bowing before the goddess 1008 times... Uff, sounds more like a punishment? wink emoticon ok, them join the girls doing Thalappoli, carrying a thaalam (a round tray) with flowers, an oil lamp, and offerings to the Goddess.
Make sacred fire - even if it's just a candle lit with intention.
Make Indian tea.
Make Indian tea.
Spicy chai cheers everyone!
Payasam recipe (there are so many out there! I like this one from indianfoodforever)
What to use:
1/4th cup long grain rice (washed and drained)
4-5 cups milk
2-3 cardamom seeds (crushed)
2 tbsp almonds (blanched silvered)
A pinch of saffron threads, soaked in a little hot milk
1 tbsp skinned pistachio nuts (chopped)
1 tbsp raisins (optional)
2-3 tbsp sugar or as desired
1/4th cup long grain rice (washed and drained)
4-5 cups milk
2-3 cardamom seeds (crushed)
2 tbsp almonds (blanched silvered)
A pinch of saffron threads, soaked in a little hot milk
1 tbsp skinned pistachio nuts (chopped)
1 tbsp raisins (optional)
2-3 tbsp sugar or as desired
How to make it:
Put the rice, milk and cardamom in a pan, bring to boil and simmer gently until the rice is soft and the grains are starting to break up.
Add almonds, pistachio, saffron and raisins and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
Add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
Remove the rice kheer from heat and serve either warm or chilled.
Enjoy!
Put the rice, milk and cardamom in a pan, bring to boil and simmer gently until the rice is soft and the grains are starting to break up.
Add almonds, pistachio, saffron and raisins and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
Add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
Remove the rice kheer from heat and serve either warm or chilled.
Enjoy!
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