Thiruvathirai Kali

Thiruvathirai or Arudhura Dharisanam fell on Saturday, Jan 10 this year....it is the Thiruvathirai star day in the auspicious tamil month of Maarghazhi when the saivites from Tamilnadu worship Lord Shiva by observing fast and offering Thiruvathirai kali and ezhu (7) thaan (vegetable) Kozhambu(also called thalagam) as neividiyam. It is believed to be the Birthday of Lord Shiva and Lord Nataraja comes in a grand procession blessing all his devotees on this day in Chidambaram, the city of the dancing diety. As I was really sick since last week, I couldn't make the kozhambu this time but was happy that I could make atleast the Kali for nevidiyam. My mom always observed all these occasions without fail and still does till today.....to continue the beautiful tradition I always try my best to follow these too, yet another way to remember our beautiful roots ....So here goes the recipe for Thiruvathirai Kali.
Ingredients:
Raw rice- 1 cup
Moong dhal- 2 tsp
water- 3 cups
Jaggery- 1 cup
cardamom- 1 tsp
ghee- 1tbsp
cashews & raisins- 1tbsp
Method:
Wash the rice & moong dhal and dry it on a paper towel. After drying this, now roast this in a dry pan(no oil) until the rice turns slight red. cool and powder this to rava (sooji) consistency in a mixer. In a pan, dissolve the jaggery in water and let it boil, at the this stage add the powdered rice and mix well without forming lumps.cover and cook for few mins. then open the lid and cook until it thickens. Turn off the flame & add cardamom powder and mix well. Garnish with cashews & raisins roasted in a tbsp of ghee.