Today is the first day of Navrathri.

Navrathri means nine nights. The nine nights of Navrathri celebrate the nine different aspects of Goddess Durga known as Nava Durga.

Shailaputri is the first among the Navadurgas. Shaila means stone, and putri means daughter. Praying and meditating to the Goddess on this brings strength (like a stone) and commitment. Chanting the name of this Devi Shailaputri when the mind wavers, helps the mind to be become centred and committed. It gives us lot of courage, strength, and composure.

Today I made a very famous and an authentic Iyengar sweet dish called Akkaravadisal. It is a very rich, delicious and creamy version of chakkara pongal:)

Ingredients

Raw rice – 1/4th cup
Moong dal ( green gram/ pasiparuppu) – 1/4th cup
Milk – 1 lit
Grated jaggery – 1 cup
Ghee – 5 tbsps
Cardamom powder – 1/4th tsp

Method

Wash and soak rice and dal together for 1-2 hrs.

Add milk in a heavy bottomed pan. When it starts to boil, drain the rice and dal mixture and add it to the milk.

Mix well. Reduce the flame. Stir in between and cook till the rice and dal becomes very thick, soft and creamy.

Now add the grated jaggery. Mix well till the jaggery melts completely. Stir and cook on a medium flame till the raw smell of the jaggery goes. Add the ghee, mix well and cook till the ghee starts floating on top. Add the cardamom powder and mix well. Take it off the gas.

Serve it hot or warm:)