Panak/ Jaggery Drink

Panak is usually prepared during Ram Navami. But can quench your thirst during any hot day. I made this during Ganapati Festival and completely missed to post the recipe. 

When I look back the memories I have with this panak is going to Ram Navami Puja at Rama Mandir in Thirthahalli with all my cousins in the evening. After the puja a very simple phalahar was served. Cucumber Pachadi, Sakre Bale Hannu and Panak. This was served any number of time one wants. Mouth watering dishes. All are my favorite.

Upkari

Upkari in konkani is typically stir fry. A very simple stir fry made with few ingredients and practically with any veggies makes upkari very unique. Basic ingredients remains the same but what enhances the flavor in this dish is the vegetable. Mix and match vegetables or just make it with only one. My husband is a big fan of any upkari and so am I. Our daughter does not like spicy food so upkari and dalithoy keeps her happy too :-) My non-konkani friends have wondered always how can only red chillies, mustard seeds and curry leaves make a stir fry tasty. I guess it's our inherited konkani specific tastebuds. Same reaction goes to even dalithoy ! But we have few friends who are a fan of dalithoy and call it as comfort food !

But sometimes I make a little bit of changes when I make brussel sprouts or broccoli. I have posted the recipes for each of the upkari separately too.

Choodi Puja - A GSB Tradition

A very unique and beautiful tradition of GSB community is Choodi Pooja. Celebrated by all married girls along with all other married family members in the month of Shravana Maasa. Shravana Maasa for Year 2015 started on 08/16/2015. Shravana Maasa by itself is considered a very auspicious month lined up with festivals. Starting with Naga Panchami (Nag Panchami) until Nopi (Ananta Chaturdashi) this month is filled with relatives, festivals and of course yummy food :-). But for women of GSB Community the festival of Shravana Maasa starts on Chudi Pooja.

It's widely known fact that a tulsi plant has medicinal properties capable of purifying the surroundings.Chudis are the tiny bouquets of flowers like red Ratnagandhi and yellow Mithayi flowers with durva grass. While praying,Surya is also prayed. This is typically a puja of both Tulsi and Surya.  There are no mantras and no shlokas but the married ladies alone can perform this pooja.

Chudi Pooja is observed on every Friday and Sunday. The tradition which we follow on Fridays is after taking bath (hair washing is a must), lighting diya at the pooja room, performing tulsi puja.  We can have breakfast only after the pooja is done. strictly no onion no garlic for the entire day and Sundays are lenient. Hair wash, onion, garlic are completely personal choice but pooja before eating food remains the same.

Panchakajjaya or mere jaggery and poha, hurikadale can be offered as Naivedyam. Once the puja is over, the chudis will be given to married ladies, seeking blessings from elderly women.  Among the married ladies, those who are close in relation but live in a different city are remembered and chudi will be sent by mail with a little kumkum. The recipient will send a similar chudi with her blessings.

During the first year of marriage this is usually celebrated both at in-laws and also at mom’s place inviting the closest relatives. This tradition is a link between younger and older generation people.

Chudi is a tiny bouquet of herbal and wild flowers tied with yarn of plantain tree called vaayu. Traditionally the flowers used in preparing chudis are :

Rathnagandhi (which is also known as Sanjeevini)

Chirdo
Rathaphool
Kanagani phool
Mithaiphool
Shankpushp
Dibrankur (Durva grass)

But  due to non availability of these flowers the ladies in the Gowd Saraswath Brahmin community do scout for local varieties of flowers. Women make nine chudis and gives it to the other women in her family or locality.