Today is the eighth day of Navrathri ( Ashtami). This day is considered very auspicious. Young girls are invited home, served festive food and given lots of gifts.

Divine Mother is worshipped in the form of Maha Gauri. Gau means knowledge. When one prays to Maha Gauri, the person is blessed with wisdom, brilliance and innocence. Gaura means white colour, which means purity:)

Ingredients

Cashew nuts – 1 cup
Grated coconut- 1 cup
Grated carrots- 2 cups
Milk – 2 litres
Condensed milk – 1 tin
Sugar – 2 tbsps
Cardamom powder- 1/2 tsp
Saffron ( Kesar) – 1/4th tsp

Method

Soak cashew nuts in a cup of warm milk for 30 mins.

Add one more cup of milk, carrots and coconut and grind everything to a smooth paste.

Mix the paste with the remaining milk, add saffron and cook on a medium flame ( stirring in between) for 15-20 mins or till raw smell goes and you get a good aroma.
Add the condensed milk and sugar, mix well and cook on a low flame for 20-25 mins till it becomes thick.

Take off the gas and add the cardamom powder. Mix well and serve the payasam warm or chilled:)