Deepavali...the Festival of
Lights
content credit : Sai Priya
"Happiness is in the air,
It's Deepavali everywhere.
An occasion to celebrate Life,
Let's show
some love and Light."
Deepavali, the Hindu festival of
lights is celebrated with a great joy in every Autumn. It signifies light over
darkness, spirituality over evil, Knowledge over Ignorance and Hope over
Despair.
It is not limited to bursting of
crackers, fireworks on the black canvas of night, exchange of lip smacking
snacks and traditional sweets, but also decorating own house with flowers and
beautiful colours of Rangoli art. Millions of Diyas are lit which enlighten the
spiritual land of Temple city as if Goddess Kali carrying the garland of
pure and divine souls. The divine light of Deepavali spread into lives
enhancing peace, prosperity and happiness.
There are
many reasons people celebrate Deepavali and the story of Prince Rama and Sita
is one of them, often recited to children over the festival period. . Upon completion of 14 years in exile, Ram, Sita and Lakshman
returned home to find the entire city waiting for them! The streets were
decorated with flowers and there was spree of happiness everywhere. Oil lamps
were lit to guide them on their way home after the victory of King Ram.
The Odia family remembers their
forefathers by burning jute stalks singing the ritual song "Bada
badua Daaka"...
Bada badua ho,
andhara re aasa,
alua re jaa
Mahaprasad khai
Baaisi pahaacha re gada gadu thaa.
Translating into English...
"O forefather
come to us in the dark evening,
we light your way to heaven.
Having Mahaprasad may you attain
salvation
On the 22 steps of Jagannath
temple."
How can we miss to talk about the
important part of celebration "Festive Food !? "
Generally people start preparation
before a week, delicious desserts like karanji, sandesh, ladoos and savoury
snacks like Murukku, Sev, Nimkee are special treat on Dipavali evening at
everyone house.
Here sharing recipe of a traditional dish Karanji/Gujiya
Preparation
Time 1 hour
Yield 20
piece
INGREDIENTS
2 cups Maida ,1 tbsp Semolina ,1 tbsp Clarified
butter, 1/4 tsp Salt ,2 cups Grated Coconut ,2 tbsp Roasted white seasame seed
,3/4 cup Jaggery, 2 tbsps Roasted pea-nut, 1/2 tsp Cardamom powder, Oil to fry
STEPS
In a bowl mix the maida, semolina and the
salt.Add ghee and mix it well. You will get a coarse texture. Add water and
prepared a soft dough.Cover the dough with a damp cloth and keep it aside.
Start preparing the filling. In a pan add grated coconut, poppy seed, jaggery
and cook at medium flame for 5 minute. Add cardamom powder. Grind peanut to a
coarse powder. Add this to coconut and cook for 2 minute. The filling should be
dry .Switch of the flame and let the mixture cool a bit. Now divide dough into
20 equal part .Roll each dough into a circular disc. spread sufficient filling
on it. Fold it as half-circle and seal it properly. You can see the below
picture. To seal the edge, you can grease the edge with a little water using
your finger. It will help you to seal it properly. Heat sufficient oil in a
kadhai, fry prepared stuffed dumplings at medium flame. Adjust the heat , don't
fry it at high temperature .It generally takes 2 to 3 minute for each batch to
fry .Then only the outer skin will be crunchy. You can keep them at air-tight
container for 4 to 5 day at room temperature.
