DOSA

Ingredients
3 cups rice
1 cup urad dal
2 tsp chanadal
Handful of poha
Salt as per taste


DOSA RECIPE



Soak rice and urad dal separately for about 6 hrs
Grind them to a thick batter and ferment it overnight in room temperature
Add salt and little water and mi ogether x t
Heat pan or griddle with little ghee or oil.
spread the mix on pan in circular motion to make thin Dosa.
Cook on both the sides, if desired.

Serve with groundnut chutney or coconut chutney or ginger chutney

Hint ::add salt to the batter before fermenting if the temperature is very cold

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RAVA LADOO

one of my favourite in ladoos is rava ladoo and when had fresh it really tastes yummy
and it is easy to make it hardly takes about 20 mts ( for 2 to 3 servings ) so whenevr i fell like having I just start making them
as i always keep some spice handy at my home and for this not much ingredients are not needed.


Ingredients:
1 cup rava
3/4 cup sugar ( if u like more sweet u can add little more)
2 tbsp. ghee
1/4 cup milk
elachi powder

Dry Fruits(optional) but tastes godd if you add them
cashewnuts
badam


METHOD :-

First in a bowl boilmilk and allow it t cool

Take ghee in a deep saucepan and heat.
Fry all the dry fruits and keep them aside.
In the same ghee now add rava and cook on low heat. Stir continuously.
When the rava turns light brown or the raw smell goes add the sugar. Stir for 1-2 minutes ,and anow dd cardomom powder and remove from the fire

Keep aside and let it cool for some time.

Add little milk and all the dry fruits . Mix well. Wet hand with milk and shape the mixture in ladoos,and keep on adding milk as needed.

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Dussehra

Dussehra is also know a s Vijaya Dashami

This has a great importance in the Telugu Household.Any new events of life like starting a Business,buying a Vehicle,performing rituals take place on this auspicious day.They perform Ayudha Puja where they sanctify vehicles, machines by performing pooja.In the evenings a procession is taken up in all major cities where people dressed as characters from Legendary Ramayana perform stage shows from the epic.Huge effigies of Ravana and Kumbhakarna are burnt signifying victory of Lord Rama.

People believe this day brings victory for any one who starts something new on this day.In telangana region younger usually pay respects to their elders by giving them leaves of Jammi tree and seek their blessings.
In all temples of Godess Durga, this festival is celebrated. These Navratri (nine -nights ) days, Godess Durga is decorated in various features like, Bala Tripura Sundari, Mahishasura-Mardhini, Shera-wali, etc. . These celebrations are concluded on the tenth day of "Vijaya Dashami" usually a national holiday. . Usually people of Andhra Pradesh wish to start any new venture or start anything on Vijaya Dashami day, with a belief that it will be successfull



durga devi aarthi




Jai ambe gaurii maiyaa, Jai shyaamaa gaurii Nishadina tumako dhyaavata, Hari brahma shivajii

"Glory to you, O divine Mother Gauri, glory to you, O Parvati, who are so rich in maiden grace (virgin beauty), the object of daily meditation by Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva!"

Maanga sinduura viraajata, Tiko mriga madako Ujjvalase dauu nainaa, Chandravana niiko
"O Ambe!

On your forehead is a resplendent mark of vermilion along with a mark of musk (signifying good luck). Your twin eyes are bright and your face beautiful as the moon."

Kanaka samaana kalevara, Raktaambara raaje Raktapushpa galamaalaa, Kanthahaara saaje

"Your body with a tinge of gold is splendidly dressed in red attire; on your throat lies a wreath of red blossoms like a beautiful necklace."

Kehari vaahana raajata, Khadaga khappara dhaari Sura nara munijana sevata, Tinake dukha haari
"Your vehicle, the lion, is, O Mother in keeping with your splendid form; you bear a sword and a skull in your hands, and on you attend the gods, men, hermits and your votaries whose grief you drive away."

Kaanana kunadala shobhita, Naasaagre motii Kotika chandra divaakara, Sam raajata jyotii

"You are adorned with rings on your ears and with pearl on the tip of your nose, your radiance looks as splendid as that of myriad of suns and moons."

Shumbha nishumbha bidaare, Mahishaasura ghaatii Dhuumra vilochana nainaa, Nishadina madamaatii

"O slayer of the demon Mahisha, you tore apart the bodies of Shumbha, Nishumbha and Dhuumravilochana. (In the battle waged against them) your eyes reflected a frenzy of fury everyday and night."


Brahmaanii rudraanii, Tuma kamalaa raanii Aagama-nigama bakhaanii, Tuma shiva pataraanii
"You are the beloved consort of Brahma, Rudra and Vishnu. The Vedas and the Shastras describe you as the queen consort of Shiva,"


Chausatha yoginii gaavata, Nritya karata bhairon Baajata taala mridanga, Aura baajata damaruu
"Sixty-four Yoginis chorus your praise and glorify you, while Bhairava (Shiva) dances in tune to the accompaniment of the sound of tambour (mridanga) and drum (damaru)."


Tuma ho jaga kii maataa, Tuma hii ho bhartaa Bhaktana kii dukha hartaa, Sukha sampati kartaa
"You are mother of the universe, its sustainer, reliever of your devotees' affliction and bestower of happiness and prosperity."

Bhujaa chaara ati shobhita, Vara mudraa dhaarii Manavaanchita phala paavata, Sevata nara naarii

"The four arms you have adorned your person, while the hand raised in benediction reveals your benign aspect. Those among men and women who wait on you and worship you have all their cherished wishes ever fulfilled."


Kanchana thaala viraajata, Agaru kapuura baatii Bhaalaketu mein raajata, Kotiratana jyotii
"In a golden platter are beautifully laid aloe and camphor, both of which have lighted (to be waved before you); in he radiance of your forehead is reflected the splendour of a myriad gems."

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I have put rangoli on this day to welcome godess into my house



this is my first attempt to put rangoli

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Cooking

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Om jai Jagdish hare

Om jai Jagdish hare, Swami jai Jagdish hare,
Bhakt jano ke sankatDaas jano ke sankat,
Kshan mein door kare, Om jai Jagdish hare

Jo dhyave phal pave, Dukh bin se mun ka,
Swami dukh bin se mun kaSukh sampati ghar aave,
Kasht mite tun ka, Om jai Jagdish hare

Maat pita tum mere, Sharan gahu mein kiski,
Swami sharan gaho kiskiTum bin aur na dooja,
Aas karun mein jiski, Om jai Jagdish hare

Tum puran Parmatma,Tum Antaryami,
Swami tum Antaryami Par Braham Parmeshwar,
Tum sabke swami, Om jai Jagdish hare

Tum karuna ke sagar, Tum palan karta,
Swami tum palan kartaMein sevak tum swami,
Kripa karo Bharta, Om jai Jagdish hare

Tum ho ek agochar, Sab ke pranpati,
Swami sab ke pranpatiKis vidh milun Dyamaye,
Tum ko main kumti, Om jai Jagdish hare

Deen bandhu dukh harta, Tum rakshak mere,
Apne haath uthao, Dwar pada tere, Om jai Jagdish hare

Vishay vikar mitao, Paap haro Deva,
Shradha bhakti badaoShradha prem badao,
Santan ki seva, Om jai Jagdish hare

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ganesh cahuturthi

Ganesh Puja

Sri Ganesh Gayatri
Om vakratundaya vidmahe
Lombodaraya dhimahi
Tanno danhti: prachodayat

Om tatpurushaya vidmahe
Vakratundaya dhimahi
Tanno danthi: prachodayat

Om ekadantaya vidmahe
Vakratundaya dhimahi
Tanno danthi: prachodayat

Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesh (the elephant-headed God of Wisdom and Prosperity and the son of Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati)
It is celebrated all across India . Ganesh Chaturti is celebrated for a period of ten days. sweets offered to Lord Ganesh are important aspects of Ganesh chaturthi rituals in India. Hindus pray to images of Lord Ganesha.which are later ceramated on the 10 day with a grand procession . Praying to Lord Ganesh during the festival will bring good luck and prosperity for the family.

Recipes i made for the special day are

1. pancamrutham

2. undralu

3.kudumulu

4.lemon rice

5.dadojanam

6.sabudana payasam

7.parmanam

8.rava ladoo

9.vada

10.purnalu

11.vadapapu

GAURI PUJA

Sri Gowri Gayatri

Om subhakayai vidmahe
Kaamamaalinyai dhimahi
Tanno gowri: prachodayat

A day before ganesh chaturati we pray mother Gauri and on this day we give vaynam tho married ladies which normal consists of haldi,kumkum,fruit,bettle leaf,flower,bangales,mirror,kajal,comb( all the singar items of a women).

This puja is done to have the blesings for husband and children from Maa Parvatior gauri

Fasting for whole day and then after performing the puga to godess gauri we offer the first vaynam to the godess and then to all other sumangalis

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SAI BABA

Sai Baba Maha Mantra

" OM Shirdi Vasaya Vidamahe Sachidananda
Dhimahi tanno Sai Prachodayath"



Sai Baba Jai Jai kaar

Ananta Koti Brahmand Nayak Rajadhiraj Yogiraj Parabrahma
Sadchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jay

Meaning of Sai Jai Jai Kaar

"Victory be to our Sadguru Sai Maharaj, who is Pure Consciousness, Knowledge and Bliss."

11 Sayings of Sai Baba


1. Whoever puts his feet on Shirdi soil, his sufferings would come to an end.
2. The wretched and miserable would rise into plenty of joy and happiness, as soon as they climb steps of my samadhi.
3. I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body.
4. My tomb shall bless and speak to the needs of my devotees.
5. I shall be active and vigorous even from the tomb.
6. My mortal remains would speak from the tomb.
7. I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuge in me
.8. If you look to me, I look to you.
9. If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it.
10. If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once.
11. There shall be no want in the house of my devotees.

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Navagraha Mantra

Navagraha Mantra

Surya : Om hram hreem hroum sah suryaya namah
Chandra : Om shram sreem shraum sah chandraya namah
Mangala : Om kram kreem kroum sah bhaumaya namah
Budha : Om bram breem broum sah budhaya namah
Guru : Om jhram jhreem jroum sah gurave namah
Shukra : Om dram dreem droum sah shukraya namah
Shani : Om pram preem proum sah shanaischaraya namah
Rahu : Om bhram bhreem bhroum sah rahave namah
Ketu : Om shram shreem shroum sah ketave namah

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Diwali

It is s extremely important to keep the house spotlessly clean and pure on Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness, and she will visit the cleanest house first. This is also the reason why the broom is worshipped on this day with offerings of haldi and kumkum (turmeric and vermilion). Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the goddess. They are believed to light up Her path.



In Diwali pujan or Laxmi pooja mainly Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi in her three forms are worshipped.
Lord Ganesha -is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighnaharta; Goddess Lakshmi - is worshipped in her three forms - Mahalakshmi (the goddess of wealth and money), Mahasaraswati (the goddess of books and learning), and Mahakali; Kuber (the treasurer of the gods) is also worshipped.
On a raised platform spread a new cloth.
Place a handful of grains in the centre and, on this, place a kalash, lotta (pitcher). Fill three-fourth of the kalash with water and place a betel nut, a flower, a coin, and some rice grains in it. Arrange five kinds of leaves or mango leaves in the kalash .
Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder ( haldi ) over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.
In front of the kalash , on the right (South-West direction), place the idol of Ganesha. Also place ink and books related to your business or occupation on the platform.
Light a deepak (lamp) and the Agarbatti (incense sticks) begin the puja by offering haldi, kumkum , and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed.
Sprinkle this water on all puja utensils to purify them.
Make a Panchamitra with 5 ingredients of milk, curd, ghee(clarified butter), sugar & Honey.
Start with Ganesh Pujan (Ganeshji are a must for Diwali pujan. Ganeshji should be worshipped in all pujas before any other god or goddess. He is the Lord of Wisdom and the remover of obstacles.) by reciting Ganesh Mantras and Ganesh aarti. Offer a garland to the god. Offer flowers and make an offering of sweets, coconut and fruits.
Now invoke goddess Laxmi by reciting the Laxmi mantras.Then offer the flowers to the idol.
Place the idol of Lakshmi in a plate and bathe it with water, panchamrit and then with water containing some gold ornament or a pearl. Wipe the idol clean and place it back on the kalash . Alternately, you can just sprinkle water and panchamrit on the idol with a flower.
Offer sandal paste, haldi, kumkum, to the goddess. Offer a garland to the goddess. Offer flowers and make an offering of sweets, coconut and fruits.
Then worship the ink and business books. Open the first page of each book and write '' Shubha Labh '' on it and draw a Swastika in the clockwise direction.
Wash all your gold and silver coins with water, panchamrit and then with water
Make an offering of puffed rice and sweets to the Gods.

now read the following kathas



The Story of Rama and Sita:

In the north, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and the surrounding areas, Diwali is the day when King Rama`s coronation was celebrated in Ayodhya after his epic war with Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. Lord Rama was a great warrior King who was exiled by his father Dashratha, the King of Ayodhya, along with his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshman, on his wife's insistence. Lord Rama returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, in which he put an end to the demon Ravana of Lanka, who was a great Pundit, highly learned but still evil dominated his mind. After this victory of Good over Evil, Rama returned to Ayodhya. In Ayodhya, the people welcomed them by lighting rows of clay lamps. So, it is an occasion in honor of Rama's victory over Ravana; of Truth's victory over Evil.

The Story of King Bali and Vamana Avatar(the Dwarf):

The other story concerns King Bali, who was a generous ruler. But he was also very ambitious. Some of the Gods pleaded Vishnu to check King Bali's power. Vishnu came to earth in the form of a Vamana(dwarf) dressed as priest. The dwarf approached King Bali and said "You are the ruler of the three worlds: the Earth, the world above the skies and the underworld. Would you give me the space that I could cover with three strides?" King Bali laughed. Surely a dwarf could not cover much ground, thought the King, who agreed to dwarf's request. At this point, the dwarf changed into Vishnu and his three strides covered the Earth, the Skies and the whole Universe! King Bali was send to the underworld. As part of Diwali celebrations, some Hindus remember King Bali.

The Story of Narakasura :

Another legend talks about the Demon named Narakasur who had managed to acquire such awesome powers that he began to terrorize the three worlds. He was killed and defeated by Lord Krishna. As a symbol of that victory Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon king's blood. Krishna returned home early morning on the day of Narakachaturdashi. The womenfolk massaged scented oil on his body and gave him a bath to wash away the demon’s blood. Since then the custom of taking an oil bath before sunrise on this day has become a traditional practice especially in Maharashtra and in the South.

The Story of Goddess Lakshmi :

On this day Mother Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk called the Ksheer Sagar. She brought with Her wealth and prosperity for mankind. On that day, Lakshmi Pooja was performed to honour Her and as such, every year on Diwali day, Hindus perform Her prayer and worship. The making and distribution of various sweets and total vegetarian foods are the order of the day. This practice is alive and well to this very day. Many people believe that Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and good fortune, visit the homes of devotees on this day. Worship of Lakshmi is performed in the evening.
Finally, perform the aarti of laxmi and also om jaya jagadish hare aarthi

At the end distribute the prasad to all members present and then have some for yourself.
Now light the lamps and candles all around the house. No corner of the house should be left in darkness.
(Note : Donot light the diyas before puja.)

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Pudinarice

Ingredients
2 cups of Basmati rice, washed and soaked in 4 cups of water but while cooking i add only 3,1/2 or little more water
2 green chillies and one onion - finely chopped, lengthwise
¼ cup of roasted cashews
1 tsp cumin seeds,
mustard for seasoning
a pinch of hing(optional)
5 -7 pudina leaves for seasoning
2 tbsp oil
2 to 3 spoons of lemon juice
(optional)1tsp of ghee and
1 tsp of salt or to taste
ground paste:
2 green chillies
¼ cup of fresh coconut - chopped
1 bunch of mint- Washed and leaves separated
1/4 or little less corriander leaves
1 tsp of garlic-ginger paste4 each - cloves,
cardamom, small cinnamon pieces,
bay leaves & 1 star anise
¼ cup of roasted cashews
2 tsp of ghee and
1 tsp of salt or to taste
method:

Make a paste of mint leaves, coriander leaves ,coconut and green chillies ,half of the spices and a pinch of salt ,without adding any water.Heat oil on medium heat in cooker . When it is hot, add the rest spices (cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves and star anise), saute them first. then add the seasoning ingredients then add the ginger-garlic paste onions , and chilli saute until onions start to color. Now add the grounded paste and saute till the raw smell goes or till it leaves oil ,now add the rice to the above mixture and mix it very well for a minute ,do not saute for long after putting rice then add the require quantity of water Add salt; stir the whole thing, so that all the ingredients would mix together. now add the cashew nutsthe ghee and mix it together and pressure cook for 3 whistlesbefore serving mix little lemon juice
To make this more healthy i add peas and frenchbeans

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Spicy Vegetable Kurma

Today is the first day of my blogging.
whenever I have free time I always try to cook something new ,from many days I should say from many years I wanted to make mixed veg kurma but didn’t know how to make So I started searching on net and atlast I came across some recipes and I maniplutaded the recipe according to my taste and was successful in making it a delicious way
The name ‘KURMA ’ stands for curry in some regions of India. The kurma is one of the indain oldest athunteic method of cooking ,here all kinds of vegetables are cooked in rich spices and herbs which make the gravy very yummy and leaves a unique flavour
I start blogging with my favourite recipe

MIXED VEGETABLE CURRY

Ingredients:
French Beans- 10 cut finely
Carrot-1 cut finely
Potato-1 cut finely
Peas- ½ cup
Onions-2 chopped finely
Green chillies 2
Ginger garlic paste- 2 tsp
Cinnamon- 1stick
Cloves- 4
Star anise-2
Garam masala powder- ½ tsp
Turmeric powder- ¼ tsp
Salt to taste

TO GRIND:

Coconut - 1/2 cup ( fresh cocnut gives a rich taste)
Groundnut - about 10 to 15 or 2 teaspoons
Jeera -1 teaspoon
Green chillies - 4
Little salt
Little tamarind
Coriander leaves ½ bunch
Onion ½
Coriander powder
Seasoning: Jeera
Mustard seeds
Curry leaves
Pudina leaves (optional)
Coriander leaves, bay leaf


Preparation: First take a kadai and put little ghee into it when the ghee heats up add all vegetable to ghee and fry them a little ,don’t fry them too much just fry till the ghee flavor goes into the veggies.
In a blender put coconut ,groundnuts ,jeera ,tamarind ,coriander powder,coriander leaves ,onion, and little salt (this is optional u can add it when cooking also,but adding at this stage would add a touch to the masala) Along with the above things I also blend the spice cinnamon,elachi,cloves,star anise as my husband doesn’t like to see them ,he likes to have the spices but not in a raw form so I always try to blend them.

Add a little water and grind well into a thick paste.
In a thick bottom vessel, or a cooker heat oil and splutter mustard seeds,jeera ,. Add bay leaf, onions , green chillies , ginger and ginger garlic paste one by one and fry.at this stage all the raw spices can be added ,then add Onion fry un,til they become lightly-browned. Now add little turmeric powder,gram masala Then add grounded mixture and fry till the raw smell goes out or until it leaves the oil,once the masals starts leaving the oil add the veggies and mix well (see that the get mixed up well).now add salt as per taste (remember that little salt is already added for masala), then add 1 glass of water and pressure cook if ur using a cooker or in a vessel and cook till the vegetables become tender. Simmer for 5 mins after the 2 st whistle or until the veggies are cooked.
Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with poori or chapathis or rice.

Note: If this masala if fried on low heat gives best results and a rich flavour

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