OK, so I am one of those idealist types. ... I have a problem with religious fundamentalists and believe that religion is a very personal issue. As in I grew up primarily a Hindu, but lived in a Muslim dominated city and celebrated many Muslim festivals with my friends. I now live in the west and celebrate Jewish and Christian festivals with my friends. My life is a very multi-cultural and a truly cosmopolitan one, yet, I endeavor to practice Hinduism in a most quixotic way so my children will know their roots, and at the same time will learn to respect and honor other traditions and cultures of this world!

Read on and join me on my journey as I experience Hinduism in a hip and trendy way...

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Offerings for Ganesha...

When you see Ganesha's left hand, he is always holding his favorite sweet, the modak or kozhakattai. This is made of a rice flour paste, inside which is stuffed an absolutely heavenly mixture of jaggery, coconut and cardamom. It is a very tricky sweet to make, and tedious, no wonder it's exquisite.

I actually took it upon myself this year to make all the five offerings that are traditionally made by South Indian families to celebrate Ganeshas birthday. Paal Payasam, Vadai, Sweet kozhakattai, Salt Kozhakattai and Idlis. Recipes to come soon....

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