Last Year in 2015 my visited Mata Vashnu Devi , where Navratra are celebrated on large scale. The above picture shows the way to Vashno Devi.
Celebrating Navratra: Starting from 21st to 27th September 2017. 28th is Ashtami, 29th Nauwmi and 30th Dhesera. Once again the Navratri celebrations are in the full spring –The festival of Navratri is celebrated with prayers and gaiety in the beginning of the Ashwin (autumn) and the beginning of Chatira (spring). This period is a time for self- referral and getting back to the source. During this time of transformation, nature sheds the old and gets rejuvenated; animals hibernate and life emerges back afresh in the spring. Indian Festival Dishes: Festivals of India. Navratra are starting from 21st September, so be prepared with the fast (varat) dishes.
A Green Godess: Legend locates the appearance of the Devi's idol among-st the rarest ones: one that has no known origin, one that is assumed to be self- generated. The spot where the Godess appeared on became the seat of Shakambari. Nestled deep in the midst of the Shivalik range, her seat is on a river bank. The river flows through a narrow ravine and the only approach to the temple is more or less via the river bed.
According to Vedic science, matter reverts back to its original form to recreate itself again and again. The creation is cyclical, not linear, everything is recycled by nature.
The seeker gets back to the true source through fasting, prayer, silence and meditation. Night is also called ‘ratri’ because it brings rejuvenation. It gives relief at the three levels of our existence – physical, subtle and causal. While fasting detoxifies the body, silence purifies the speech and brings rest to the chattering mind, and meditation takes one deep into one’s own being.
The nine days of Navratri are also an opportunity to rejoice in the three primordial qualities that make up the universe. Though our life is governed by the tree ‘gunnas’, we seldom recognize and reflect on them. The first three days of Navratri are attributed to tame guna, the second three days to rajo, guna and the last three to sattva guna. Our consciousness sails through the tamo and rajo, gunas and blossoms in the satva guna of the last three days.
Stay fit this festive season. To avoid putting on weight, make sure that you exercise well. Here are a couple of exercises that you can do during the festive season. Go for a Run in the Morning: Since you won’t have much to do in the morning, you can easily go out for a jog or run for at least half an hour. Running will ensure that you burn all the excess calories that you have eaten the previous night. It will also boost your metabolism and will make sure that you do not wish to go for a jog, you can also walk for an hour on a daily basis. By worshiping the mother Divine during Navratri, we harmonize the three gunas and elevate ‘sattva’ in the atmosphere.
1. Skambari is a Goddess reversed locally but research reveals that she is referred to in many ancient texts such as the Devi Bhagwat. Legend locates the appearance of the Devi's idol here among-st the rarest ones:one that has no known origin, one that is assumed to be self- generated. It was discovered at least a thousand years ago. Its consecration too is attributed to the goddess itself, while the installation and consecration of the Bal Ganesh alongside her is by Adi Shankaracharya. Adi Shankaracharya too mentions the existing presence of Shakambari Devi in the Sondarya Lahiri. The construction of the present day temple and its patronage is by the local royal family of Jasmaur for whom ShakambariDevi is also the Kul Devi. At the temple the idol of Shakambari Devi, which is older than time, is ringed by 5 forms of Shiva. Underscoring the nexus between Shiv and Shakti is the fact that legend locates these hills as the land of Shiv. Thus it was particularly appropriate that it was here, in the lands of Shiva that Shakti was invoked and she appeared. Navratri Meal to your taste created by Delhi Chefs to be shared by the readers. I want to share with viewers in America. Special Navratri recipes created with a new healthy, modern-twist. These recipes are easy to make and low in calories. In India during Navratri Festival People keep fast in which they eat special food without wheat, cereals and rice products. Here are some of the popular traditional dishes for Navratri. Navratri Dishes
The Title Picture is of 9 Devias of Navratras. Kushmanda; Skandmata; Katyayani; Chandraghanta; Kalratri; Brhamcharini; Mahagauri; Shailputri; Shiddhidhatri; It's Time for Navratri, it's time to fast again. In fact you can ditch cooking at home and treat yourself to a Navratri meal or thali. You can make the main dish with Paneer Makhana ki sabzi, Dehiwali Arbi, Sitfal ki sabzi, Singhareki puri, fruit salad, kheere ka Raita, chach, fruit kheer or Phoolmakana kheer.
Swagan ke chawal are used for the nawratridishes such as palau and Kheer In India during Navratri Festival Aloo Arbi ke Chaat; Swang Rice palau; phoolmakhana kheer; Swang rice kheer stival People keep fast in which they eat special food without wheat, cereals and rice products. Here are some of the popular traditional dishes for Navratri .
1. Potaio Arbi ke Chat
2. Swang ka Pulao
3. Swang rice ke Kheer
4. Phool Makana ke Kheer
Potato Arbi Chat: 4 servings Ingredients: 1 medium potato, boiled and cut into ½“ pieces 2 medium Arbi, boiled and cut into ½“ pieces 1-2 green chilies, chopped 1” piece ginger root, finely chopped ½ to 1tsp salt ½tsp red chili powder ½tsp kala chat masala Juice of 1 lemon or to taste Method: 1. In bowl mix potato, arbi, ginger and green chilies. 2. Season with salt, red chili powder and black chat masala. Toss and mix to coat the vegetables. 3. Sprinkle the lime juice. Toss and mix. 4. Check the seasoning and rectify. Serve it with Varat Pakoras.
Potato Sabzi for Varat Ingredients: 250gm potatoes, boiled and cut into 1” pieces ½tsp cumin seeds 1C yogurt churned 1green chili chopped 1tbsp oil 1tsp salt ½tsp red chili powder ½tsp garam masala Method: 1. Heat oil add cumin seeds, when they stop crackle add curd, salt, red chili powder and garam masala. 2. Cook stirring, until a thick curry is formed, now, mix in the boiled potato pieces and green chilies. Cover and cook for 3-5mts. 3. Mix and check the seasoning. Serve with Swang Ke Chawal. Phool Makana Kheer Ingredients: 25gm Phoool Makana, crushed roughly 250gm milk 50gm sugar or to taste 10gm nuts (almonds sliced, and raisins) Method: 1. Bring the milk to a boil and add the Phool Makanas. Lower the heat and let the phool makanas cook on a simmer. (about15minutes), stirring occasionally. 2. Cook until the phool makanas are soft and the kheer is a little thick. 3. Add sugar and continue cooking until sugar is dissolved, then add nuts. Serve hot. Navratri Dishes - Potato Arbi Chat
Swang Rice Palau With Carrots and potatoes Varat Rice Palau: Ingredients: 1C Swang Rice 1 small potato cut in rounds 1-2 green chilies chopped 100gm cheese (paneer), cut into ½“dices ½tsp cumin seeds 1tbsp oil salt ½tsp garam masala ½tsp red chili 1-1 ¼C water Method: 1. Wash and soak the rice for ½ hour. Drain. 2. Heat oil on medium low heat. Add cumin seeds when they stop crackling add potato rounds and green chili. Stir-fry until the potatoes are light brown. 3. Then add drained rice and mix, add salt, red chili garam masala and water. Mix thoroughly with the potatoes. 4. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-7mts. 5. When cooked mix in the Paneer cubes. Serve hot with curd
Swang Rice Kheer : Ingredients: 1lb milk ¼C sugar or to taste 100gm (2tbsp) Swang rice washed and soaked for ½hr and drain ¼C Chopped mixed nuts (cashews, almonds and raisins) Method: 1. Put milk in a heavy bottom pan. Bring it to a boil, as soon as it comes to a boil mix in the drained rice. 2. Cook on medium heat stirring occasionally to avoid the mixture sticking to the bottom of the pan. 3. Cook for 7-8mts until kheer consistency is reached. 4. Add sugar and mix thoroughly. Mix in nuts reserving a few for decoration. Transfer the kheer in a serving dish, decorate with nuts and serve hot or cold.
Sweet & Sour Khadoo: (without onion and haldi) Ingredients: 250gm Pumpkin, chopped with the skin on and washed 1-2 green- chilies chopped 1tsp salt 1tsp sugar ½tsp red chili powder 1-1 ½tsp amchur 1tbsp oil Method: 1. Heat oil in a pan add pumpkin pieces, salt and red chili powder with 1 ½C water. 2. Cover and cook on medium heat for 8-10mts until pumkin is cooked soft and mushy with a little liquid. Add sugar mix. 3. Mix amchur, cover and cook for 2 more minutes. Serve hot with roti or paratha made from rajgi and sanghara flours mixture. Aloo Chowlai Tikki Ingredients: For Varat Tikki: 250gm potatoes, boiled and roughly meshed 1tbsp full chowlai seeds, roasted on low heat until they are completely popped 1tsp (level) salt ½tsp red chili powder ¼tsp amchur powder ¼tsp black pepper 1-2 green chilies chopped 1tsp chopped coriander leaves ½ to 1tbsp sangara flour (Varat flour) for binding Oil for frying Method: 1. Mix all the ingredients except oil to form tikkis of equal size (about 10-12). 2. Heat oil in a skillet on medium high. When the oil is quite hot reduce heat to medium and put the prepared Tikkis 4-5 at a time in the hot oil. 3. Fry the tikkis under brown on one side, flip to other side and continue to cook until that side is also brown. Drain on kitchen towel. Serve hot with plain yogurt and ‘Allo in mehthi chutney’. Some new nawratri dishes this time are Sitaphal ka shorba, kele ki tikki, Singhara ki porri and sabudana kheer.
Modern Navratri ke Pakwan Navratri Meal to your taste created by Delhi Chefs to be shared by the readers. I want to share with viewers in America. Special Navratri recipes created with a new healthy, modern -twist. These recipes are easy to make and low in calories. Navratri Thali at Ananda’s includes- singhare atta ke fruity gol gappe, fruity lassi, Sabudana pudding and more. Here are some healthy and innovative Navratri recipes, which include tofu berry smoothie to seasoned potato, cottage cheese and bell peppers bake. Chef Amit Rana of The Imperial Hotel says, “Navratri food helps maintain the nutritional balance in our body. It cleans and rests your systems, if made the right way. Traditional Aloo ke bhaji can be a low calorie dish when made with a few cooking changes. Here are some healthy and innovative Navratri recipes, which include tofu berry smoothie to seasoned potato, cottage cheese and bell peppers bake. Chef Amit Rana of The Imperial Hotel says, “Navratri food helps maintain the nutritional balance in our body. It cleans and rests ou systems, if made the right way.
Sitaphal aur tamatar ka shorba; herbal potatoes for varat; Fruit salad with sago papad;