Masala Dudh for Kojagiri Poornima

Masala Dudh for Kojagiri Poornima

Kojagiri Poornima

Kojagiri Poornima or the Full Moon day in Ashwin month is celebrated as Kojagiri Poornima in Maharashtra. Kojagiri Poornima is also called as Sharad Poornima. In Maharashtra we observe Kojagiri as Kojagiri Laxmi Puja. People stay awake throughout the night and spend time in singing bhajans and reciting stotras of the Goddess. Devotees believe that Goddess Lakshmi keeps moving from place to place asking ‘Kojagarti’ (who is awake?). It’s said that the Goddess blesses those whom she finds awake. Kojagiri Lakshmi Puja is a big event at Kolhapur Mahalaxmi temple. Main attraction of Kojagiri is "Masala Dudh (Masala Milk)". After preparing Masala Dudh, may be around 12'o clock in the night, we keep the vessel on terrace exactly under moon, so that we can see reflection of full moon in it. Then we serve that 'Masala Dudh’ to everybody.
And one more thing is that on Kojagiri Poornima day eldest child of the family is honored.

Masala Dudh Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 Cup Milk
• 3 Tbsp Sugar or as per your taste
• Charoli (chironji) - 1 tbsp for garnishing

Ingredients for Masala:

• ¼ cup Almond Powder (unsalted)
• 1 Tbsp Pistachio Powder (unsalted)
• ½ tsp Cardamom Powder
• Pinch of Nutmeg powder
• 1 pinch of Saffron

Method:

1. Grind unsalted almonds and pistachio at home, use the amount of measurement given above.
2. Add Almond and Pistachio Powder, Cardamom Powder, Nutmeg powder and Saffron in the mixer and mix all the ingredients very well.
3. In a thick vessel, boil 4 cups milk on low flame. Boil it for some time, stirring continuously.
4. Then add 3 tbsp sugar or add as per your requirement.
5. Add prepared masala in it and stir well with spoon. Bring it to boil.
6. Add Charoli to garnish. (Optional). Remove from flame.
7. Pour the milk in broad vessel and see the reflection of full moon in Masala Dudh.

8. Then serve hot glass of masala dudh to everyone in family :-)

“Wish You All A Very Happy Kojagiri Poornima”

Dussehra Special - Bengali Pyaaesh

Dussehra Special - Bengali Pyaaesh

Dussehra

It is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Ashwayuja or Ashwina, and is the grand culmination of the 10-day annual festival of Dussehra. This day marks the triumph of Lord Rama over Demon king Ravana. On this day, Rama killed Ravana.
It is also considered to be an auspicious day to begin new things in life. So come and let's celebrate Dussehra along with some delicious Bengali Pyaaesh.

BENGALI PYAAESH

Ingredients:

• milk - 1 litre
• basmati rice - 1 cup
• pure ghee - 2 tsp
• 1 piece - black cardamom
• 1 piece - bay leaves
• jaggery to taste

For Garnishing:

• kishmish/raisinsbroken cashew nuts

Method:

1. Boil the milk, stirring frequently, till it thickens. Remember to stir from bottom of the pan since milk burns very easily.
2. Saute rice in a vessel containing 2 tsp ghee, bay leaves & a piece of black cardamom for 2 mins.
3. Add the mixture to the milk. Don`t boil excessively.
4. Then add the jaggery.
5. When the jaggery is properly mixed, sprinkle kishmish and broken cashew.
6. Cool paayesh offer it to godess Durga and serve. :-)