Update: Pushya Nakshatra and Sunday – August 20th 2017

Hope you all were able to perform Rayaru Seva during last week Aaradhane. It was a feast seeing Rayaru photos, videos, and listening to sevas and miracles from all across the world. From fruits alankara to veena alankara to varied flowers, the two eyes we all have was not enough to see our beloved Rayaru. With technology like Facebook and whatsapp, sharing the same was so easy. We could see the festivities across the world for our Rayaru.

This coming Sunday August 20th is Pushyaarka Yoga, so wanted to keep you all informed.

Happy Janmasthami for tomorrow as well. Will post pictures soon.

The common interpretation of Pushyaarka Yoga is the combination of Pushya Nakshatra and Thursday or Sunday.This common interpretation is when moon entering Pushya nakshatra on Thursday  or Sunday is PushyArka yoga .

Raghavendra Mutta says “On this Holy day one should Recite or Chant Guru Stotra ( Raghavendra Stotra)s, Singing songs will bring happiness and prosperity in your life.”

The significance of this day is also mentioned in Rayara Stotra – 27th Stanza.

Anyone who recites this holy Sri Raghavendra Stotram 108 times with intense devotion, on the occasion of solar/lunar eclipse or the combination of Sunday with the star Pushya, will be relieved of all evil influence, e.g., haunting etc. (27)

You can find more details about this great day below in the link:

• http://www.raghavendramutt.org/stories/significance-pushya-arka-yoga

To find lyrics on Rayaru, please visit this page:

• Sree Raghavendra Swamy

The Raghavendra Stotra to be recited is posted here:

Shri Raghavendra Stotra or Shri Poornabhodha Stotra Lyrics/

Gowri-Ganesha Festival – August 24th and 25th 2017

Pooja preparations:

Gejje Vastra and Flowers getting ready to be offered to God.

Fruits and coconut for Lord Ganesha:

Kadabu, Modaka and Idli for Lord.

After the morning pooja and naivedya.

Close up of the Lord.

Evening Pooje.

Chakkali prepared by my Husband for the Lord.

Mangalaruthi and evening naivedya chakali for the Lord to request him to come home every year.

The Ganesha festival falls on the fourth day Bhadrapada Masa. That’s why we say “Bhadrapada Shulkada Chauthi Aamdu”. Swarna Gouri Vrata and Ganesha Festival is celebrated on September 4th and 5th.

As always, check your closet temple to find the correct dates.

An idol of Gowri made of clay is brought two days before the Ganesha festival. Gowri is an incarnation of Parvathi. Gowri Habba, also called as Swarna Gowri Habba is celebrated one day before Ganesha Festival.

The Legend:

Goddess Gowri, while taking shower, created Ganesha out of the mud of and placed him at the entrance of the house. She told him not to allow anyone to enter while she went inside for a bath. Lord Shiva returned home and was stopped by Ganesha at the gate. Shiva became angry and cut off Ganesha’s head. When Gauri came to know of this she was grieved.

Lord Shiva ordered his servants to cut off and bring to him the head of any creature that might be sleeping with its head facing north. The servants went on their mission and found only an elephant in that position. Lord Shiva then joined the elephant’s head onto the body of Ganesha.

Mr. Lakshmisha P, had left a comment here that he had the pdf files for the Swarnagowri vratha puja & katha. Attached below are the links for both the pdf files he has provided.
Thanks so much Me. Lakshmisha for all the support and also the time you have taken to convert this into pdf.

• swarnagowri_katha
• swarnagowri_vratha_puja
• Marada Bhagina for Swarna Gowri Vrata
• Sampradaayada Haadu On Goddess Gowri 

We used to sing at the top of our voice “Ganesha bhanda, kai kadubu tinda, chikka kerele edda, dodda kereli bidda”.

Lord Ganesha is not just worshiped on this day, but is worshiped first in all occasions since he is considered to be the remover of all obstacles, one who brings good luck on new activities or endeavors.

As always links for several resources songs, lyrics and stotras are posted on this blog.

• Lord Ganesha & Gowri Lyrics

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And here comes the link which has colorful and many designs for drawing Rangoli

• Rangoli Designs

And can any festival be complete without authentic dishes? Here are some recipes posted in this blog:

• Festival Recipes

In case you see the moon on this day, here is the sloka you are supposed to say:

ಚೌತಿ ಚಂದ್ರ ದರ್ಶನ ಅಪವಾದ ಪರಿಹಾರಕ್ಕಾಗಿ

ಸಿಂಹಃ ಪ್ರಸೇನಮವಧೀತ್
ಸಿಂಹೋ ಜೌ0ಬವತಾ ಹತಃ |
ಸುಕುಮಾರಕ ಮಾರೋದಿಃ
ತವಹ್ಯೇಷ ಸ್ಯ್ಮಮಂತಕಃ ||

Simha prasenamavadith
simho jambhuvatha hathah |
sukumaraka marodhihi
thavahyesha syamanthakaha ||

P.S: The above sloka in Kannada is exactly as it is in the Uttaradi Matta Panchanga. Rather than taking a picture, I typed in the words. The English translation is done from the Kannada sloka to the best of my knowledge.

As always no food is prepared with onion or garlic.

Many of you have asked for the Pooja Vidhana of the festival, I do have the book for Ganesha festival, and it is several pages. I had no time at all to translate it into English. So, here is the link for the pooja vidhanas for both Gowri and Ganesha pooja. Hopefully I will have them next year.

• KannadaAudio.com

P.S:  If you have a scanned copy of the Ganesha Vrata Pooja Vidhana, please share. I can post it here.

Gowri Ganesha Festival Preparation & Recipes

This year Gowri Ganesha Festival is celebrated on August 24th Thursday and 25th Friday.

So, this post is to help all of you prep for this festival and get the blessings of Gowri and Ganesha.

Gowri Habba Preparation:

• Prep for all the pooja items like Haldi, Kumkum, Mantrakshate, Gejje Vastra.
• Make sure you have Rangoli, if you don’t have the dry powder, use Kundan Rangoli, a chalk and draw. If even that is not available, take some printouts and use them. I have used a combination of all of them as seen below. Draw small feet of Lord Ganesha from the front door.
• Make sure you have camphor, Agarbathi and also soaked cotton for Mangalaruthi.
• Buy all the ingredients required for the Maradha Bhagina. The  two posts which have already been published are linked below:

  • ಮರದ ಬಾಗಿಣ ಮತ್ತು ಮಹತ್ಬಗಳು – Importance of giving Maradha Bhagina

  • Swarna Gowri Vratha – Marada Bhagina Items

• Buy fruits, Coconut, Banana leaves, Mango leaves, Betel leaves and nuts.
• Buy plenty of flowers.
• If you are performing Panchamruta abhisheka, buy all items required for that.
• A list of all food items which can be prepared is added at the end of this post.

Ganesha Habba Preparation:

• All pooja items as listed in Gowri Habba.
• In addition to all fruits, flowers get lots of garike and leaves for Lord Ganesha.
• The key food items made are 21 Modaka, 21 Kadabu and 21 Chakkali. Recipes listed all the way at the end.
• Offer Gejje Vastra. Usually fancy ones are offered here. 16 strings or some times 21 strings.

Food Items for Gowri Ganesha Festival:

 

Kosambari ಕೋಸಂಬರಿ

1. Cucumber Kosambari

2. ಕಡಲೆ ಬೇಳೆ ಕೊಸಂಬರಿ – Channa Dal Kosambari

ಚಟ್ನಿ Chutney

1. Channa Dal or Kadale Bele Chutney

2. Coconut Chutney

3. Pudina or Mint Chutney

4. Mint Mango Chutney – ಫುದಿನಾ ಮಾವಿನಕಾಯಿ ಚಟ್ನಿ

Bonda – ಬೋಂಡ ಭಜ್ಜಿ Bhajji

1. Heerekayi Bonda

2. Red and Green Capsicum Bonda or Fritters

3. Aloo Methi Pakoda

4. Ambode

5. Bombai (Aloo) Bonda

6. Sabhudani Vada – Gluten Free

ಸಿಹಿ ತಿಂಡಿಗಳು- Sweet Dishses

1. Badam Poori

2. Kayi Kadabu

3. Dry Coconut kadabu

4. Coconut Burfi

5. Mango Rasayana or seekarane

6. Pineapple Kesaribath

7. Steamed Modaka – ಮೋದಕ

ಪಾಯಸ – Payasa – Kheer

1. ಶಾವಿಗೆ ಪಾಯಸ – Vermicelli Kheer

2. Evaporated MilkyWay ಶಾವಿಗೆ ಪಾಯಸ – Vermicelli Kheer

3. Gasgase or Poppy seeds Payasa

ಸಾರು ಹುಳಿ ಕೂಟು – Rasam Sambar Kootu

1. Hesaru Bele Thove

2. Ridegourd Thove

3. Sweet or Sihi Kootu

4. Sandige Huli Recipe

5. ರಾಯರ  ಕೂಟು – Spicy Kootu Made in Sree Raghavendra Swamy Mutt

ಮಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಮೊಸರು ಅಡಿಗೆಗಳು – Yogurt Based Dishes

1. Majjige Huli

2. ಹಸಿ ಮಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಹುಳಿ – Hasi Majjige Huli

3. ಬೂದ ಕುಂಬಳಕಾಯಿ ಮಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಹುಳಿ  – Winter Melon Majjige Huli

ಗೊಜ್ಜು – Gojju

1. Gojju

2. Cucumber Gojju

2017 Shree Krishna Janmasthami Pictures

Hope you all had a wonderful and joyous Shree Krishna Janmasthami. The festival was on a Monday, so the whole morning was spent in meetings and work, and once the clock ticked 5.30 PM, I shut down the computer and got into festival mode.

Every time I FaceTimed my Dad, he was amazed to see how the Tulasi plant had grown and kept telling me that Lord Krishna just needs one Tulasi leaf offered to him and nothing but water. It is just devotion, dedication and utmost faith that he needs.

Seeing all the Tulasi that had grown, I had this wonderful idea of creating a Tulasi Vrindavana for Lord Krishna and hence the Tulasi plants you see in the picture.

Most of the festival preparation was done during the weekend, I even tied the Tulasi garland Sunday night since Monday morning was going to be hectic at work.

We prepared all the food yesterday evening after work, my Daughter joined us through FaceTime during the pooje until the end when we gave Argya to Lord Krishna. I just love technology, we can meet, share, see and perform ePooja remotely.  And today morning, I was able to show my parents all the pooje which we had done.

My own blog helped in getting all the links for songs, food items and recipes.

Food prepration like you see were items such as:

• Moong dal Kosambari
• Channa dal Kosambari
• Uppittu or Upma
• Avalakki
• Sweet Avalakki
• Chakli
• Thengolu
• Om Pudi
• Shankar Poli
• Rava Laddoo
• Besan Laddoo

Now for the next big festival Shree Gowri Ganesha Festival. Will post all links and recipes as we approach the festival.

May Lord Krishna Bless us all. Jai Shree Krishna!

Simple and Easy Mantras to Chant During Shree Krishna Janmasthami

These set of mantras were sent to me on whatsapp by my Sister Suma. However, there are many in the community who don’t know Kananda. I did my humble seva to Lord Krishna by quickly typing the same in English. All credit to whoever wrote the original text, I just translated the slokas.

Family,

Today is janmashtami. As per Srimad Acharya’s “ಜಯಂತಿ ನಿರ್ಣಯ Jayanthi Nirnaya” – a very powerful day to destroy major sins over many births if you do pray Krishna and fast on this day. How do we remember Krishna throughout the day?

Srimad Acharya had revealed some important but simple things to perform throughout the day and next day ಪಾರಣೆ. Try to chant these simple mantras at the times indicated:

While taking bath in the morning:

ಯೋಗಾಯ ಯೋಗಪತಯೆ ಯೋಗೊಶ್ವರಾಯ ಯೋಗಸಂಭವಾಯ ಗೋವಿಂದಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ

Yogaya yogapathaye yogeshwaraya yogasambhavaya govindaya namo namaha

After evening pooja and Argya chant:

ಯಙ್ಞಾಯ ಯಙ್ಞಪತಯೆ ಯಙ್ಞೇಶ್ವರಾಯ ಯಙ್ಞಸಂಭವಾಯ ಗೋವಿಂದಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ

Yagnaya yagnapathaye yagneshwaraya yagnasambhavaya govindaya namo namaha

Just before going to sleep in the night:

ವಿಶ್ಯಾಯ ವಿಶ್ವಪತಯೆ ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರಾಯ ವಿಶ್ಸಸಂಭವಾಯ ಗೋವಿಂದಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ

Vishwaya Vishwapathaye vishveshwaraya vishwasambhavaya govindaya namo namaha

At the time of next morning’s ಪಾರಣೆ chant:

ಸರ್ವಾಯ ಸರ್ವಪತಯೆ ಸರ್ವೇಶ್ವರಾಯ ಸ್ಸರ್ವಸಂಭವಾಯ ಗೋವಿಂದಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ

Sarvaya sarvapathaye sarveshwaraya sarvasambhavaya govindaya namo namaha

Nextday after ಪಾರಣೆ offer some dakshine to a bramhin and  chant

ಭಾರತೀರಮಣಮುಖ್ಯಪ್ರಾಣಾಂತರ್ಗತ ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಷಾರ್ಪಣ ಮ್ ಅಸ್ತು by chanting:

Bharathiramanamukyaprananthargatha shree krishnarpanamasthu

ಧರ್ಮಾಯ ಧರ್ಮಪತಯೆ ಧರ್ಮೇಶ್ವರಾಯ ಧರ್ಮಸಂಭವಾಯ ಗೋವಿಂದಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ

Dharmaya Dharmapathaye Dharmeshwaraya dharmasambhavaya govindaya namo namaha

 

Instant Pan Recipe

This Sunday we had Satsangha of our Beloved Rayaru at Ms. Vandhana’s house. Satsangha has become an event which I look forward for every single month. The pooja, the prayer,  the bond we have with each and every family cannot be described in words. Each one of us have become so close that I feel that they are my sisters. Like I said, it is an unbelievable bond and to know each and every one of them has utmost devotion towards our beloved Rayaru is just amazing.

During this satsangha at Ms. Vandhana’s house, we were all stumped by two amazing food items, something very new for most of us and really really tasty. A pressure cooked lemon pickle which I will post soon, and this amazing and tasty pan.

Ms. Vandhana was kind enough to allow me to record the recipe, and here I am posting it as is. Thanks Vandhana for the amazing pan recipe. Hope this recipe is now going to reach every nook and corner that this blog reaches as well.

Ingredients:

1. 5 Betel leaves – torn into small bits
2. 2 tablespoon regular supari, or triveni supari
3. 1 spoon roasted saunf, or commonly called as fennel seeds, or Badi Saunf
4. Little honey to bind together
5. Roasted Coconut
6. Gulkhand – optional

Method:

1. Mix all of them together
2. Serve after a scrumptious meal.

Quick and Easy PC2 Palya

Can you guess what PC2 is? Of course, you can after seeing the image below –  Potato, Capsicum and Corn. Such a great combination, and can be done within minutes. Quick, and easy and yummylicious.

Ingredients:

• 4 Potatoes
• 2 Red Capsicum(Bell pepper), you can use any color, I used Red
• 1 box frozen corn
• 3 Green Chillies slit lengthwise
• 1 sprig curry leaves finely chopped
• 3-4 springs coriander leaves finely chopped
• 1 inch ginger finely grated
• Lemon juice to taste
• salt to taste
• 2 tsp oil, 1/4 tsp mustard seeds, 1/2 tsp jeera

Method:

1. Clean, boil and remove the skin of the potatoes. Chop into bite size pieces. You can boil them traditional way or use microwave.
2. Microwave the frozen corn.
3. I also microwave red capsicum for 3-4 mins until it is soft
4. Next, in a pan heat oil. Add mustard seeds, jeera, green chiilies, curry leaves. Fry for 2-3 minutes.
5. Next, add potatoes, and grated ginger. Keep frying for another 3-4 minutes on low heat.
6. Add Red Capsicum, and corn.
7. Finally, add salt, and coriander leaves.
8. Just before serving, add the lemon juice.

Another look at the yummy, quick and easy palya:

P.S: I ate it as is, but it is a good combination to use in a chapathi wrap, or eat it with chapathi. You can also use different colors of capsicum.

Shree Raghavendra Swamy Aaradhane at SBAT

SBAT temple is celebrating our beloved Rayaru Aaradhane on August 9th and August 12th. If you are in and around DC, please do visit. I have taken a day off August 9th and plan to be there from start to finish. Hope to see you all there on Wednesday or Saturday.

Guru Sarvabhowma Ki Jai.

Flowers & Tulasi

Wish you all a very Happy Shravana Masa and a wonderful and Joyous festive season. It has been raining non-stop for the past few days, and it also has been raining lots of Jasmine, Kanakambara and Tualsi at my place.

I just offer flowers and tulasi as is on week days, and try to make garlands on weekends and if possible on Thursdays. Today being Bheemana Amavasya I decided to spend some of my time and make three garlands –  Jasmine and Tulasi for our Beloved Rayaru, Jasmine and Kanakambara for Goddess Lakshmi, and Just Jasmine for Lord Srinivasa or Venkateshawara. In spite of these three garlands there was still lots of flowers left which I offered as is.

Take a look at the amazing flowers and tulasi. All grown in our house.