Happy Ganesh Chaturthi

A very happy Gauri and Ganesha festival to you all.

As a kid not one Ganesha festival do I remember, when we didn’t wake up early in the morning, got bundled up in our car and headed to my Grandpa’s house. A day prior on the Gauri / Haritalika pooja day, observing a fast, we would go to our garden to pick flowers and patre / leaves and then we all would do the pooja together. Now all grown up I realize the significance of that year in year out ritual, and do wish to relive them. That might never happen but since my mom is with me this festival – lucky me , I have another day to traverse to in the coming years. 

My dad’s family has an inherited temple from many generations ago. As there is Ganesha pooja in the temple we never had the idol brought into the home for worship. At My husband’s home they do get the idol.
Here in the US I dont get idols that I like, hence I just use the sandalwood Ganesha that my dad gave me a few years ago. Last couple of years we have been able to do a complete pooja as Ganesha festival has been on the weekends.

 This year for my modest spread, I picked items that each hold a special place in my heart and my taste buds

We had rice with moong dal tovve as that’s one thing that’s a must for any festival in my home.
Mavinakai chitranna – which we all love to eat and for some reason it gets missed on Ugadi.
Chakli – Of course the Karnataka Ganapathi isn’t going to be happy without these and so is everyone at home.
Ambode – This is generally made on festivals in my husbands house.
Atrase / Anarse – I simply could die for these. I also had to learn from mom how to make them. we made the Karnataka style ones, which are much easier I have heard.
Majjige Huli – This doesn’t get cooked much often for no particular reason, , hence I make them on festivals.
Cauliflower with Ginger sabzi – This one is a recipe from my dear friend who is back in India now. We have celebrated many holidays and festivals here and I do miss them, especially more during holidays.
Ukadiche Modak – True to my Maharastrian half of genes, I don’t prefer the deep fried Modaks.
Rice and Urad vade – From my grandpa’s house we would go to my Aunt’s house. I have not eaten any vade that had a better taste or crunch than the ones that my Aunt’s mom made. As far as my knowledge goes this is a distinctive Havyaka household’s preparation which is mostly made only on Ganesha festival.

Amidst all the excitement of cooking I did manage to write down recipes for each and everyone of the above. My coming posts are reserved for them as I have nothing better than scribbles on paper and do need to save them before loosing.

The day had a perfect ending when we all did the evening Arati and sang together Sukha Karta Dukh harta Ganesh aarati.