Today at my home, Puliodharai .. Tradition with the spicy sour taste just sweeps out our taste bud

The tamarind paste mixed in cooked rice with some of the powdered spices topping turns out to be mouthwatering Puliodharai/Pulihora. I would like to have Puliodharai with Sweet Pongal. This heavenly mix of sweet and sour together gives you a divine taste. You can give them a try on having a chance J.

You make Puliodharai at home or get at some places, but still I remember and relish the serving of Puliodharai given at the temple after the darshan. Especially @ Perumal temple it tastes better, even today you get them in parcels sold near the Madapalli (Temple’s kitchen). 

Also one of the most auspicious ingredient to be considered by Hindus is the turmeric powder (Haldi) is added in Puliodharai. At homes, it is cooked in special occasions and festivals and presented to God. Obviously after God, it is for us J

You might wonder here, how come the quantity of the prasadam (Neivedhyam) doesn’t decrease after offering them to God. For those people who would like to answer others who question you, here is a small explanation to share.

A Guru-Sishya conversation:

Once a Sishya asked his Guru: “Does God accept our ‘Neivedhyam’ Guru? If God eats away the ‘prasadham’ then from where will we distribute the prasadam to others after darshan? The Guru did not say a word. Instead, asked the students to prepare for classes.

That day, the Guru was teaching his class on mantras.

*My thought Share with you all here J. I hope the right mantra to be recited by all of us during this living is :” Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu….” Translation: May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all …

Sorry for the interruption.*

Continue….. Later, everyone was instructed to practice the mantra by-heart.

So, all pupils started practicing. After a while, the Guru came back and asked all the students to recite the mantra without seeing the book, which they did.

Now the Guru gave a smile and asked this particular Sishya who raised a question about serving to the Lord. Did each of you really by-heart everything as it is in the book? The Sishya said: “Yes!! Guruji”, I’ve recited whatever is written as in the book.  Now the Guru asked: If you have taken every word into your mind then how come the words are still there in the book?

He then explained: “The words in your mind are in the Sookshma Sthiti (unseen form). The words in the book are there in the Stoolasthiti (seen form).

God too is in the ‘Sooksma sthiti’. The offerings made to Him is done in ‘Stoola sthiti’. Thus, God takes the food in ‘Sookshmam’.

And, thus the food remains the same and doesn’t become any less in quantity. J

Now coming back to our favorite PuliodharaiJ

Here is how to prepare it:

Wanted cooked rice – 2cups

For the syrup, we call it pulikaichal:

Gingelly Oil  – 3 tbsp
Peanuts – a fistful (Skin removed)
Mustard Seeds – ½ tsp
Channa Dal – 1 tbsp
Urad Dal – 1 tsp
Dried Red chillies – 2
Curry Leaves – few
Powdered jaggery – 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder – 1/2 tsp
Hing (Asafoetida) – a generous pinch
Tamarind – lemon sized ball
Salt – to taste

For the powder:

Oil – 1 tsp
Channa Dal – 1 ½ tbsp
Urad dal – 1 tbsp
Coriander Seeds – ½ tbsp
Dried Red Chillies – 2
Fenugreek Seeds – ½ tsp
Sesame seeds – 1 tbsp

Heal oil and roast the entire ingredient ‘for the powder’ as above until golden brown. Allow them to cool and then grind them into fine powder. Now add little water to tamarind and make thick tamarind pulp and keep it aside.

Now add gingely oil to a pan, once the oil is heated simmer it and add mustard, peanuts,  channa dal, urad dal,curry leaves, red chillies, turmeric powder and hing.  Once all are slightly browned add salt as required and allow the mixture to boil for 10 – 15 minutes. When oil begins to separate and the mixture will start oozing out oil at the edges, at this stage switch off.

Take the cooked rice spread it, sprinkle gingely oil on top, and add the pulikaichal mix well without mashing up the rice. Now add the roasted powder and give a quick stir. Keep covered and allow it to rest atleast for 30mins before you serve.

You can also prepare the powder the day before and store them in your refrigerator. So that the it can minimize your time.

Thank you. :)

Preetha Vijay Krishna
Author

                                                                                                                 

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The Maha Shivrathri : auspicious occasion for Indians

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We all know Lord ‘Shiva’. He is the supreme God and known to be the transformer in the Hindu Trinity. His biggest day of the Darkest Night is coming, The Maha Shivrathri.

Every month we all observe Shivrathri. However, Maha Shivrathri is one of the biggest, darkest and lengthiest nights and is an auspicious occasion for Indians. It is known to be the most significant and sacred nights of India. Maha Shivrathri this year falls on February 24, 2017 (Tomorrow). This is so special that it is going to be celebrated on Friday, known to be the day for Maha Sakthi.

The reason to celebrate Shivrathri:

Why do we exist in this universe. Do we have a definite answer to this miraculous question. Of course NO. It can be due to a pre-written plan or a chance by. Anything or whatever it may be.

But all of us one day want liberation.

Liberation : We need to be discharged from all the sorrow, pain, suffering, torture, desolation, unhappiness, etc (Even if all are the same, they can act unique at some stages and situations). The power for liberation can only be acquired from Lord Shiva –the legend. The night of Maha Shivarathri should be the prayer night for deliverance.

As said by Manickavachagar in Thiruvasagam, Shiva always holds his devotees close and deep to his heart. By the lyrics “Imai pozhudum en nenjil neengadhan taal vazhga” (I do not leave you even for a fraction of a second). So, it is a special day for devotees of Lord Shiva.

In order to gain Lord Shiva’s attention, we need to utilize this Day. Also, it is said that He is the master of  yoga. It is said that during this darkest night there is a gush of energy flow in human body given by nature.  But this energy is activated only on vertical position. So, you are asked not to lay down positioning horizontal and should be awake in a sitting position throughout this night.

Devotees can chant the Maha Manthiram of Lord Shiva: OM NAMA SHIVAAYA. Also, they can read Shivapuranam, Thiruvilaiyadal Puranam etc. On doing this, we devotees are rewarded with success, prosperity and a long life.

The pooja is split into four sessions. So it goes on like this,

First Session:  From 6pm TO 9pm

Second Session:  From 9pm TO 12 am

Third Session: From 12am TO 3am

Fourth Session: From 3am to 6am

All the four pojas are said to signify man’s life. –childhood, youth, middle age and old age. For each puja, the aradhanai, nivedhanam, bhajan and parayanam will  be different. You can offer Panchamrut made at home to the linga. You can visit  the Shivan temple or observe Shivrathri at your home.

Worshipping gods and their idols with Panchamrut is considered to be highly auspicious.

The Five ingredients used are:

Milk is for the blessing of purity.

Yogurt is for prosperity.

Honey is for sweetness.

Ghee is for victory.

Sugar is for happiness.

Water is for purity.

Preparation:

Whisk 2 cups of curd, add cold milk of ½ cup, now add sugar – ¼ cup, add honey – 1 tabblespoon, and some water to it. You can finally add some basil leaves to this mixture to make this a holy thing.

Wishing all Happy Maha Shivarathri. May Lord Shiva bless us all success and happiness and rescue us from all our sins, sorrows and pains.

OM NAMA SHIVAAYA

© 2016-2017 preethapages.blogspot.com All Rights Reserved.

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Pick, Pack and be Ready

Leisure is how you spend your free time qualitatively on the things that you enjoy and make you relax both mentally and physically. In our daily lives, we do travel but sometimes compelled to spend our free time disinterested, not knowing how to spend it joyfully and wholeheartedly. In olden days, it was very difficult to spot some beautiful and exotic locations for our vacation.

But, in today’s world, information via technology is taking you into unimaginable world. So, with your fingertips you can easily pick out the interesting and most desirable and wanted location of yours to travel. The time spent on a tour, accommodation and the kind of food you have, all these stuffs can be prioritized to your wish. When you are touring to a different environment apart from yours, you tend to meet people of different custom, practices etc. There are surprise moments that we disguise into.

When we talk about transportation, journey in water or space is considered to be the most exotic type. One of the best things you shouldn’t stop doing in your lifetime is to earn money, save money and set out to a tour to the most relishing places of the world.

Here are some of the unbelievable pictures that nature offers us:

Black Sand Beach, Vik, Iceland:

Here these Basalt columns in the pic are the fracture pattern that forms as a result of cooling and cracking of an unusually thick basaltic lava flow. These long geometric Columns are often 50 feet high or more.

Don’t dare to think these images have been staged!

The French Alps

  Iceland's Hidden Airplane Wreck

  The Cliffs Of Moher

Grand Canyon

  Prague

     Budapest, Hungary

 © 2016-2017 preethapages.blogspot.com All Rights Reserved.

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Our Own Personal Changes: DEMONETISATION AND THE DAY-TO-DAY LIVES : Part 2

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I had mentioned that there are some inconveniences in Cash free transaction. Especially, on referring to one such scenario, we Indians generally have some of our lending mentors for urgent demand of cash. As we all know cash can be the easiest of giving and taking. If a person is willing to help you and has cash in-hand then it becomes a magic wand for him and you are blessed. No cash then the lending/borrowing for our necessary needs will be affected.

We can’t always have enough savings in our bank account. Even in bigger banks there are at some deficiency of money, so it is not necessary that we people always have money left with us.

In those situations, when someone in the family is ill, we will fetch the help of a near by private hospital for immediate medication. And the hospital administration is first concerned on the bill pay…Not on the treatment of the admitted but decides whether the person (his relatives) will be able to pay the bill? This is their way of showing wisdom – not to blame, they have got to take back their investment.

When there is no sufficient savings in our bank account, there is no other choice but to ask for loan to our known person. And the person will only be able to lend us the money if he has currency notes.  Or else, he should transfer money from his account to our account and as we all know the procedures. Then , the transaction is being recorded and accounted for taxation (tAx : this word still makes some perplexed L)

So, there will be problems arising on lending money which isn’t in currency form. Not only in this scenario, in our country to aid the other person, the helping hand has to face many problems ()):). But I see that this phenomenon is changing right now –{For our info, I read a latest news saying that Any individual, except an eyewitness, who calls the police to inform them of an accidental injury or death need not reveal his or her personal details such as full name, address or phone number and the police will not compel the Good Samaritan to disclose the same in record or log register.} GOOD ONE.

Now coming back to our articles, next thing is… We can’t say that everyone is updated about all the electronic features (digitization.) We may say/feel, we being youth talking like this,, Of course we should take initiative in updating the new technologies to our people, educate all our fellowmen etc. I understand our voices. But, in reality and thinking as of now to say many are unaware of net banking and related stuffs. There are many people who aren’t updated to perform the techniques. Hence, they are only ready to lend money if at all it is currency notes available handy. Until our people have the rupee in hand, we won’t be able to pay the hospital bills and therefore not able start with our treatment.:)JJ(:

If at all, what is the solution for this. There is only one way…

I know we all are eager to know what it is, because we have been practicing the same old way of someone guiding and we following it…Let change our blueprint. Can be the taxes, can be the education, can be the jobs, can be the ignorance… I’m sorry I really don’t know as of now and thinking like you guys. However, by some of our Government initiatives and our own personal changes we can expect them to happen. The tax levied on income and goods can be rechecked and helping-hand can extend. (Again I understand that all people won’t come under this chart even though the Government does the initiatives, however some people with real hearts does that) J

Another thing to be mentioned here is. People should also be interested in learning new science and technology for the benefit of our country and thereby do net transactions rather than cash transaction. Now-a-days, even with small merchants we see the availability of swiping machines. By this, their business isn’t affected in any ways.

But the ordinary grocery stores, petty shops, roadside vendors are being suffering in large-scale from 8 November 2016 since not able to inherit to digitization due to their mindset. Our Government has given the guidelines for their problems too.

These small vendors can certainly organize their transactions through the phone application and obtain their money in their bank accounts.

It is not necessary to do these transactions only with a smart phone, it can also be done on an ordinary phone. You can send and receive money with an basic model. However, smart phones make it more easier. It is just enough to know the basics on how to use the smartphone in order to proceed with the transaction.

My request to all of you reading this article is to share the important message on doing digi-transaction to general public, our fellowmen – it can be your neighbor, your vegetable seller who comes in the tri-cycle, milk vendor, hair stylist, news paper merchant and to anyone who is waiting to update him or her on this.

Go to the play store on your smart phone and download the application for Money-transaction. There are many private firms and bankers giving you apps for digi-transactions. We also have the NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India’s) app known as BHIM to do our daily digital transactions. BHIM has the UPI(Unified Payment Interface) feature. It is thereby connected and you can avail the services of multiple banks.

Thanks for reading this article. Lets stand united, be updated and establish a valuable India.

© 2016-2017 preethapages.blogspot.com All Rights Reserved.

  

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Jallikattu and the Ignorant BAN

Are we going to preserve some of our residual traditional sports or abandon them?

Firstly, even before entering into this topic or speaking briefly, do we all know why #Jallikattu is practiced; it is definitely not an entertainment or time passing sport. But, it is endorsement sport which has been followed from our Sangam Era literature about years ago.

Not all bulls are selected; the ones reared for #Jallikattu are selected on their boldness and agility. Once they are being selected, they undergo all the proper procedures and then allowed to perform on Jallikattu.

To know in brief on why this event is being practiced:  The stud bulls are the ones reared for #Jallikattu. And the ones that perform and win during Jallikattu are in much demand for want in servicing the cows of the village. #Jallikattu is a platform to exhibit the performance of the bulls. And the ones that are agile are preferred by the farmers.

To detail the chart, if flows as, Jallikattu happens first,  followed by Sandhais (i.e. Marker –selling of the cattle) and then the main farming season starts. Hope you understand here, the spectators seeing the bulls performing on Jallikattu seek the ones they need. It can be for various purposes like, mating, used as draught animals in transport/farming etc. Many of us are unaware that each and every species has unique characteristics, behavior and differ from each other.

To our note,

With the growing older population of our farmers, we certainly need young people to concentrate on agriculture. While most youth considers agriculture to be an image problem, non-attractive route of employment and a back-breaking labor.

 So with these types of events, we can capture their attention and try our best to escort them into the path to agriculture. We have to be the initiatives for our younger generation and establish them in order to strengthen our food network. Here it can be understood as selfishness too, but it’s the reality.

For sure, our youngsters are with full of brains. So, brains combined with labor can reach heights. We as humans should always have to strive for our food and environment.

Even though we aren’t able to diversify our agrarian economy, it is better that if we support the still going on practices and encourage them for doing so.

This encouragement is definitely not for the farmers or their generations to come, but it is for our own food day and after tomorrow.

Now thinking out of the world (It can also be funny J 

We all know that we use the native livestock for various purposes. On doing their routine the cattle get bored. So, like you and me having physical education, yoga or any other extra class in our educational system, Jallikattu is a relaxation ground for the #bull to play its part.

Moreover, nothing is going to happen to a bull whose app weight (500 to 1,000 kilograms) is being embraced by a man (weight app 100 kg). (to note, I’m putting it clear, this sport is just to embrace the hump of the bull long enough to grab the money bag without getting hit.)

Tips to the people who oppose Jallikattu:

You know something. (Continue: People whose occupation is agriculture are prone to be badly injured and killed by bulls. Bulls are among the dangerous animals. We all know that our farmers need these animals for cultivation. And these deaths occur while taking care of the bulls. From this, we understand that not only caring, but “Be Aware with Care” is needed and can only be practiced by Jallikattu.

For the people who still wanted to ban this event, Jallikattu and not satisfied with the above said. I would like you to first ban on breeding and killing of animals for their flesh and then ban on this sport.

I want to close the topic with the note,

Do you know, a recent investigation arrived at the conclusion that in 10 years Indian cows will cease to exist and we will be in a condition to import milk.

 If still our insights aren’t clear, then surely we will one day lose our agrarian economy and our favorite Dairy products. Thank you.

#isupportjallikattu 

© 2016-2017 preethapages.blogspot.com All Rights Reserved.

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Demonetisation and the day-to-day lives

The promise given by most of the (why not? all) all the political parties to the people is "We will strive to increase the cash flow". But now, the declaration made by the party of the ruling Government is in contrast and recorded as ‘CASHFREE INDIA.’

The Ministry of finance determined that the abundant cash flow should be available only at banks. The money obtained through bribery, counterfeit money and black money are playing the major role in the country’s economy and other violent activities. Apparently, it appeared to people like there were two Governments ruling our country. The former was the Government selected by the people and run by the people and the later by the greedy people who had bountiful money in their hands and dominating the empire covertly by improper ways.

The abundant cash flow that should be available in the banks were found concealed with the anti-social elements and the newly-turned riches misusing.  This made them act a in a way as though they conduct a separate Government and gave them the power to conclude the ruling party.

Such atrocious state is changing by the action Plan taken by the Government of India. Government hauled those having tainted money into the investigation circle. This move by the Central Government choked the ones who acted as the secondary Government. They struggled hard to retain their supremacy.

Yes, now the cash flow in banks is found abundantly than ever before. This doesn’t mean that the entire country welcomes this plan. As we all know and couldn’t deny that there are benefits as well as hindrances caused by this program. However, in order to succeed in anything we need to undergo some inconvenience too. Hope our struggles and endeavors bring glory to our country.

Our country has been infected by the disease called tainted money and the medicine curable for any disease will always be bitter. Despite of the joy of getting rid of the disease, we are everyday exhausted standing in for long hours before the banks, ATM’s wanting money even for emergency expenses. Moreover, we rage as we need to beg before the bank premises for our own hard-earned money.

Even though we have cut off the purchases on unwanted commodities as-of-now due to the retrenchment of the money flow, it has caused a state where we are striving with no money(petty cash) even for daily basic expenses. For this, our Government has developed the initiative program called Digital transaction. Despite the benefits of this digital transaction, there are some discomforts sticking to it.

Let's progress...:)

(Continue...)

© 2016-2017 preethapages.blogspot.com All Rights Reserved.

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Peacock Visit for lord Hanuman Darshan, Devotees delight!

In a Hanuman temple at Kanjappalli in Coimbatore district near Annur an incident worthy of attention happened on Hanuman Jayanthi. This is 300 years old Veera Anjeneya temple.

First of all, this month Margazhi is considered to be a very auspicious month for Hindu religious Worship. This month of Margazhi is additionally blessed since Hanumath Jayanthi falls in this month (It was on 28th Dec). He is an avid devotee of Lord Rama and is said to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Hanuman, the son of Anjana and Kesari blessed with distinctive powers. Therefore, he is significant in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Hanuman is the bravest, strongest and intelligent of all. Here in India, kids are usually inspired by Hanuman as their parents or grandparents tell them these stories.

Hanuman was also praised as “Sollin Selvar’ in Tamil, for his quick-witted speech.

Some of his other names include, Anjeneya, Kesari Nandan, Anjanai Mainthan, and Vyuputra.

Even though he was so dearest and deepest to Lord Rama, he denied accompanying Rama to Vaikumdam (the Place of not Hindrance). He insisted on wanting to always hear Rama’s mantra chant.  It is said that whenever someone talks about Ramayana or chant on Rama (Sri Ram), Hanuman dwells there.

Now coming back to the occurrence at Kanjappalli. On 28-12-2016, as the pooja celebrations were going on to Lord Hanuman, a peacock flew into the gathering. And, it was watching the complete abishekam going on to Lord Hanuman with milk, yogurt, tender coconut, turmeric and sandalwood. The complete scene was as though the peacock had come all the way to watch the abishekam and get Hanuman’s blessings. This phenomenon exhilarated the entire crowd who gathered for Hanuman’s darshan at the temple.

Now, we all are unsure about a peacock visit at the Hanuman temple on his birthday:

I would like to connect this to a small tale in Ramayana. Peacock feather was first used by Lord Sri Ram during his visit to Janakpur which was the capital of Ancient Mithila.  Once, Lord Sri Ram with Lakshman went to the Janakpur garden to collect some flowers and offer them to their Guru Vishwamitra Muni.  The gardener was so astonished to see such charming and elegance of Lord Rama that he immediately offered peacock feathers fastened together as a bunch to the lord’s Crown. Maa Sita happened to see Lord Rama in her Garden with the bunch of peacock feathers on his crown. Sita was infatuated to watch Rama with the peacock feathers and after their wedding Sita said Rama that she wanted to see him always with peacock feathers in his crown. Lord Rama said Sita that it is not correct to always pluck peacock feathers which made Sita unhappy. To comfort Sita, Lord Rama has given word to Sita that he would always be with peacock feathers on his head from his next Avatar as Lord Sri Krishna.

I hope you now understand the connection of this tale to our above incident. 

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