Announcing Serve It Series - Serve It - Festival Potluck

When I and Denny were thinking for the theme this month's Serve It series, we unanimously decided on this one - "Festival Potluck". What is more appropriate than celebrating this month with this theme. Festivals are integral part of Indian Culture from time immemorial. October is festival month for us Indians featuring loads of festivals starting with Navaratri, Dussehra, Ayudha Pooja, Diwali

Giveaway Prasaadams For NAVARAATRI KOLU - Kobbri Sakkre - Dry Coconut And Sugar Mixture

KOBBRI SAKKRE

Kobbri Sakkre is the most commonly prepared giveaway prasaadam in the Mysore region. Kobbri sakkre packed in butter paper covers are given to the visitors as a token of sharing joy,be it a naamakarana(naming ceremony) of a baby or just an auspicious Friday.

            

                                                                  

             

THIS IS A KONDAPALLI TOY GANESHA. KONDAPALLI TOYS ARE MADE IN ANDHRA AND THEY  HAVE A PROMINENT PLACE IN DASARA KOLUS.THE VILLAGE TOY SET IS VERY POPULAR AND IS USED IN CREATING MODEL VILLAGES IN THE  KOLU.

 LIGHT SOFT WOOD, GLUE, SAW DUST AND THE PASTE OF TAMARIND SEEDS ARE USED TO MAKE THESE TOYS.

 THE WAY IN WHICH THE DETAILS ARE CARVED IN THE DELICATE AND FRAGILE  DOLLS IS AMAZING.

Navaraatri is a very busy festive season. Visitors pour in to each others houses to behold the kolus , to accept taamboolam and to invite each other to their respective kolus.Since they need to accommodate a number of kolu engagements on a given day,they tend to drop in at all odd hours of the day.


                                                 

THIS MINIATURE GANESHA IS A KONDAPALLI  BOMMALU (DOLL ) . HE IS HODING A VEENA AND RIDING A PEACOCK.THE BRIGHTLY PAINTED DOLL IS ONLY ONE INCH IN  HEIGHT. PHOTOGRAPHING THIS TINY GANESHA  WAS A DIFFICULT TASK .THANK YOU AKKI FOR THE LOVELY  CLICK.

Kobbri Sakkre can be prepared with one swish of the mixer when you are caught unawares by the surprise visitors during the festival season.

                                                 


INGREDIENTS

Sugar - 2 cups
Roasted gram ( hurigadale )- 1 1/2 cups
Grated dry coconut ( copra ) - 1 cup
Cardamom Powder - 1/4 tsp

METHOD

1. Grind sugar and cardamom powder smoothly.
2. Add roasted gram and run the mixer for half a minute.
3. Add grated copra and again grind for half a minute.
Remove the kobbri sakkre in a bowl and blend the now slightly coarse mixture well. Offer this to Mother Goddess in the evening.
                                      

                   

Remove the kobbri sakkre in a bowl and blend the now slightly coarse mixture well. Offer this to Mother Goddess.

                                                 

 Pack the Kobbri Sakkre in small paper packets to be given away to the visitors along with the tamboolam

Giveaway Prasaadams For NAVARAATRI KOLU- Panchaamrutam -Fruit, Nut And Honey Mix

PANCHAAMRUTAM / RASAAYANA

The word Panchaamrutam means five nectars. Panchaamrutam or Rasaayana is basically a mixture of banana slices, fresh coconut gratings, honey, powdered jaggery and ghee. It is an essential item in all traditional poojaas.

                                                 

SOURCE OF PHOTO :
http://www.yessy.com/ciagart/gallery.html?i=13657


Panchaamruta snaanam ( bath ) is one of the various snaanams offered to a diety. It is then given to the devotees as prasaadam.The ancient idols of dieties in ancient temples, were usually made of medicinal substances. When the panchaamrutam is poured over the diety during abhishekam ( holy bath ), it acquires some of the idol's medicinal properties. Savouring this prasaadam and the intense  positive thoughts of the faithful devotee helps in curing his illnesses.
Panchaamrutam / Rasaayana is a traditional dish given as prasaadam in many temples.It is also prepared along with other sweets and savouries during festivals.

      

THIS CHANNAPATNA DOLL HAS HIS HEAD FIXED ON A SPRING, AND THUS HE NODS

HIS HEAD AT THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH.

                                                

THIS IS  A TOY GANESHA FROM CHANNAPATNA , THE TOY TOWN  OF KARNATAKA.THE TRADITION OF TOY MAKING IN CHANNAPATNA DATES BACK TO THE TIME OF TIPU SULTAN. THE ARTISANS WERE BROUGHT DOWN FROM PERSIA TO TRAIN THE LOCAL CRAFTSMEN IN TOY MAKING.THEY USED THE LOCAL WOOD AND HERBAL DYES TO MAKE THE FAMOUS CHANNAPATNA TOYS.

Panchaamrutam /Rasaayana is a healthy and easy to prepare giveaway prasaadam for Navaraatri.

With the mentioned  basic ingredients other fruits like apples, oranges, raisins, cashew nuts and various  other ingredients can also be added to lend  colour and a festive look to the Panchaamrutam / Rasaayana.

INGREDIENTS

Sliced sweet bananas - 2 cups
Raisins - 2 tbsp
Cashew nuts - 2 tbsps
Fresh coconut gratings - 2 tbsps
Honey - 2 tbsps
Powdered jaggery - 2 tbsps
( I added 2 tbsps of diamond sugar )
Cardamom powder - 1 pinch


                                                 

METHOD

1. Mix all the ingredients together except the banana.
2. Slice and mix in the banana to the above mixture.
3. Add cardamom powder.
4.If you want to add apple pieces, add a few drops of lime juice to the cut apple pieces and shake them  well in a closed container before adding to the Panchaamrutam / Rasaayana.


                                                  

Offer the Fruit and nut nectar to Mother Goddess and give away the Panchaamruta prasaadam in leaf cups to your guests on a happy Navaraatri evening.