I very well remember my mother singing this song on Sri Raghavendra Swamy after finishing all the pooje, and just before singing “Thugire Rayara” song. Today being Thursday, I decided to post this song here as well. This song is composed by Sri Jaganatha Vittala Dasaru.

Attached is the lyrics in Kannada and English.

• swAmi lAli bhakta prEma lAli

As per Uttaradimatta Panchanga, this year in Virodhi Nama Samvatsara(ವಿರೋಧಿನಾಮ ಸಂವತ್ಸರ), Dhakshinayana(ದಕ್ಷಿಣಾಯನ‌), Hemantha Ruthu(ಹೇಮಂತ ಋತು), Pushya Masa (ಪುಷ್ಯ ಮಾಸ) starts from December 17th 2009 and ends on January 15th 2010

• December 28th 2009 – Ekadashi, Vaikuntha Ekadashi
• December31st 2009 – Poornima Hunnime
• January11th 2010 – Ekadashi
• Januray 14th 2010 – Makara Sankranthi
• January 15th 2010 – Amavasya
• December 16th 2009 – Amavasya

P.S: To know the exact dates of events happening in your city, take a look at the following link provided by Ms. Shalini Rao.

• My Panchanga

More details about Vaikunta Ekadashi can be found here.

• Vaikunta Ekadashi

It has been a long time since I posted anything here. It has become crazy busy at work, and I really didn’t have anytime to update the blog. Thanks for all those who kept emailing me about my whereabouts. Appreciate it so much.

So, here comes my favorite dal, my Mom used to make and I prepare almost regularly. Every time I visit the Indian Store, I get a bunch of Methi leaves. It costs less than $2. And I usually prepare either this Dal or Methi paratha, or Aloo Methi.

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch Methi Leaves, washed and finely chopped.
• 1 cup Toor dal
• 4-5 tsp grated fresh coconut
• 2 tsp Jaggery
• For seasoning : Mustard seeds, Hing, Turmeric, Jeera, Red Chillies, curry leaves.
• Salt for seasoning, and 2 tsp oil

Method:

1. Wash and finely chop the Methi leaves.
2. Pressure cook the Toor Dal.
3. In a pan, heat oil and add all the ingredients listed in seasoning.
4. Next, add Methi leaves and let it cook for a few minutes until done
5. Add the cooked dal, salt to taste, coconut, jaggery and let it boil for a few minutes.
6. Serve with rice or chapathi.

P.S: If you want to serve with chapathi, and less water while cooking the dal.

As per Uttaradimatta Panchanga, this year in Virodhi Nama Samvatsara(ವಿರೋಧಿನಾಮ ಸಂವತ್ಸರ), Dhakshinayana(ದಕ್ಷಿಣಾಯನ‌), Hemantha Ruthu(ಹೇಮಂತ ಋತು), Marghasheersha Masa (ಮಾರ್ಗಶೀರ್ಷಮಾಸ) starts from November 17th and ends on December 16th 2009.

• November 28th 2009 – Ekadashi, Geetha Jayanthi
• December 2nd 2009 – Poornima Hunnime
• December 12th 2009 – Ekadashi
• December 16th 2009 – Amavasya

P.S: To know the exact dates of events happening in your city, take a look at the following link provided by Ms. Shalini Rao. Thanks so much Shalini.

• My Panchanga

For those of you who are devotees of Shri Raghavendra Swamy, this Sunday is a great day to please him. This Sunday, is the day when Pushya Nakshatra is, and Rayaru will be very pleased if you devote some time performing meditation, saying his Ashtotras or just doing Japa and saying ” Sri Raghavendraya Namaha”.
To quote from the email I received from my Sister Suma,

We have a golden opportunity this Sunday to please Sri Raghavendra SwamigaLu.
As the saying goes “make hay while sun shines”, Sunday 11/08/2009, there is Pushya naxatra and Sri rAyaru will be extremely pleased with jnAna kAryas.
Sriamdh AppanAcharya in Shri rAyara sthora says:
“sOma sUryO parAgEcha PushyArkAdhi samAgame”
which means when pushya naxatra and Sunday intersects, performing Sri rAyara stothra, asthothara, jnAna kAryas etc . will please our Shri rAyaru.

We can get the blessings of Shri rAyaru by doing (yathA shakthi) pArAyana / Punascharana of Sri rAyara Sthotra, reciting Sri rAyara AstOthara and doing the pArAyana of Sri rAyara gramthas.

PS: All times and dates are per USA time zones.
In the seva of Sri Hari, vAyu and gurugalu,
Bala Krishna

So, what are you waiting for, wake up early on Sunday, and meditate and get the blessings from our Beloved Rayaru.

Lalitha Aunty sent me this song since today is Tulasi Pooje. This Devaranama is from Purandara Dasaru in Raga Kalyani and Adi tala. Thanks so much, Aunty.

ಒಲ್ಲನೋ ಹರಿ ಕೊಳ್ಳನೋ
ಒಲ್ಲನೋ ಹರಿ ಕೊಳ್ಳನೋ
ಎಲ್ಲ ಸಾಧನವಿದ್ದೂ ತುಳಸಿ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಪೂಜೆ-
ಒಲ್ಲನೋ ಹರಿ ಕೊಳ್ಳನೋ ||

ಸಿಂಧು ಶತ ಕೋಟಿ ಗಂಗೊದಕವಿದ್ದ್ದೂ
ಗಂಧ ಸುಪರಿಮಳ ವಸ್ತ್ರವಿದ್ದೂ
ಚೆಂದುಳ ಆಭರಣ ಧೂಪ ದೀಪಗಳಿದ್ದೂ
ಬೃಂದಾವನ ಶ್ರೀ ತುಳಸಿ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಪೂಜೆ -
ಒಲ್ಲನೋ ಹರಿ ಕೊಳ್ಳನೋ ||1||

ಪೂಜೆಯ ಮಾಡದೆ ತುಳಸಿ ಮಂಜರಿ ಇಂದ
ಮೂಜಗದೊಡೆಯ ಮುರಾರಿಯನು
ರಾಜಾಧಿ ರಾಜನೆ೦ಬ ಮಂತ್ರ ಪುಷ್ಪಗಳಿಂದ
ಪೂಜಿಸಿದರೂ ಒಲ್ಲ ಪುರಂಧರ ವಿಠಲನೂ-
ಒಲ್ಲನೋ ಹರಿ ಕೊಳ್ಳನೋ ||2||

This is yet another Tulasi Sankeerthaney. The lyrics and audio are provided Ms. Rekha S Srinivasan. Rekha was able to record this song with the help of her Husband, and also her friend Muthu Kumar. Thanks Rekha & Family and also to Mr.Muthu Kumar for providing us with such a rare song.

Sankeerthaney (Bhudhavaarakke)

Hari govindha govinda raama | Govindha naaraayana ||
Govindha gopala krishna | Govindha naaraayana || Pallavi ||

Neerey thoreley neerey thoreley neela varnana dhevana |
Bhaamey thoreley bhaamey thoreley baala udupiya krishnana || 1 || (Hari govindha…)

Kaalalandhugey kadaga kankana lola udupigey bandhana |
Baala leeleya jagakey thoridha gopala udupiya krishnana || 2 || (Hari govindha…)

Kadeva kadeygola nenu sahithali hadaginolagindha bandhana |
Bidadhey bhakthara vodaney paalipa ranga udupina krishnana || 3 || (Hari govindha…)

Muddhu mukhadhava mooru jadeyali iddha udupiya sthaladhalli |
Oddhu shakatana aadhi gurugala muddu udupiya krishnana || 4 || (Hari govindha…)

Mallarodagoodi mathurapuradhali billa habbava nadesidha |
Ballidha kamsaasurana seelidha malla udupiya krishnana || 5 || (Hari govindha…)

Baala sanyasigaalu ninnanu premadhindhali bhajisalu |
Aaladheleya meley malagidha gopaala udupiya krishnana || 6 || (Hari govindha…)

Adhvaya hari brahma vallabha vidhyasaarathih maadidhey |
Sadhguru muni vaadhiraajana muddhu udupiya krishnana || 7 || (Hari govindha…)

Attached is the audio on youtube.

Ms. Rekha S Srinivasan has recorded this song for us. The lyrics are also provided by Rekha, which again is posted on the blog. Rekha was able to record this song with the help of her Husband, and also her friend Muthu Kumar. Thanks Rekha & Family and also to Mr.Muthu Kumar for providing us with such a rare song.

Attached below is the link on Youtube:

And the lyrics are at the following page:

• Lyrics
  

Thulasi Kalyaana Haadu Lyrics provided to us by Ms. Rekha S Srinivasan. Thanks again so much Rekha.

Kalyaanavey namma krishna shri thulasigey |
Ballidha shri vaasudhevanigey ||
Kalyaanavey namma krishna shri thulasigey |
Ballidha shri vaasudhevanigey ||

Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam |
Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam || Pallavi ||

Angaladholagella thulasiya vana maadi |
Shringaarava maadi sheegradhindha ||
Kangala paapava pariharisuva muddhu |
Ranga bandhalli nelasidhanu ||

Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam |
Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam ||

Mindhu madiyanuttu sandheyhava bittu |
Thandha shri gandhaakshatheygalindha ||
Sindhu shayanana vrindhaavanadhi poojisey |
Kundhadha bhaagyava koduthihalu ||

Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam |
Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam ||

Bhakshya bhojyangala neivedhyavaniththu |
Laksha batthiya dheepava hachchi ||
Adhokshaja sahitha vrindhaavana poojisey |
Saakshaath mokshava koduthihalu ||

Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam |
Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam ||

Utthaana dhwaadhashi dhivasadhali krishna |
Utthama thulasigey vivaahava ||
Chittha nirmalaraagi maadidhavarigey |
Utthama gathi eeva purandhara vittahla ||

Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam |
Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam ||

Kalyaanavey namma krishna shri thulasigey |
Ballidha shri vaasudhevanigey ||
Kalyaanavey namma krishna shri thulasigey |
Ballidha shri vaasudhevanigey ||

Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam |
Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam ||
Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam |
Kalyaanam thulasi kalyaanam ||

Ms. Rekha has also recorded the audio for us with the help of her Husband and friend Muthu Kumar. Thanks to all three of you. The link on youtube is:

Sweet Pumpkin also called as Sihikumbalkayi in kannada is often prepared in Madhwa houses for many occasions. This palya was prepared in my Brother-in-laws house for Mahalaya Amavasya. It is very tasty, and very simple to make also. They use a lot of coconut in Bangalore, I would completely eliminate this quantity, and just use 2-3 spoons of coconut.

Ingredients:

* 1 sweet pumpkin or sihikumbalkayi chopped evenly by removing the skin and the seeds
* 2-3 red chillies
* 1/2 fresh coconut finely grated
* 2-3 sprigs finely chopped cilantro
* for tampering: 1/2 tsp mustard seeds, pinch of hing, 1/4 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp channa dal, 1 tsp urad dal, 2 tsp oil, salt to taste

Method:

* Wash, peel the skin, remove the seeds and chop pumpkin evenly.
* In a pan, add oil. When the oil is heated, add mustard seeds, hing, turmeric, channa dal, urad dal and red chillies.
* When the dal changes color next, add the pumpkin and a few spoons of water. Cover and let it cook.
* When the pumpkin is soft, add salt to taste. Mix well.
* Finally, add coconut, and chopped cilantro.
* Serve with rice or even with chapathi.
* Tastes very good with Rasam and Rice (Saaru Anna) .