Today is the third day of Navrathri.

Divine Mother is worshipped in the form of Chandraghanta on the third day of Navrathri. Chandra means moon and Ghanta means bell. Divine mother is depicted as wearing a bell-like ornament in the shape of the moon.

Moon is connected with the mind. Just as the moon waxes and wanes, mind also keeps wavering. The bell or Ghanta represents altertness. The ringing of the bell brings back the mind to the present moment.

Chanting the name of this Devi brings the mind in our control with increased alertness.

Alert and steadfast mind adds beauty to a person. Chandraghanta represents this aspect of beauty in the mind. A beautiful mind is an adornment:)

Today I made Thenga payasam as prasad ( Prasadam). Thenga payasam( also known as thenga arachuvita payasam) is a very traditional sweet from Tirunelveli. It’s one of my family’s most favourite payasam:)

Ingredients

Raw rice – 1/4th cup
Grated coconut – 1+1/2 cups
Jaggery – 1+1/2 cups
Milk – 1/2 lit
Cardamom powder – 1/2 tsp
Ghee – 2 tbsps
Cashew nuts – 2 tbsps
Raisins – 1 tbsp

Method

Wash and soak rice for 1 hour.

Drain and grind the rice along with coconut and 1/2 cup water to a coarse paste.

Add one more cup of water to the ground paste and mix well. Cook this mixture on a medium flame till it becomes thick.

Add the jaggery and mix well till the jaggery dissolves completely. Cook on a medium flame till you get a good aroma.

Add the milk now and mix well. Let it simmer for few mins.

Add the cardamom powder and mix well.

Heat ghee in a pan. Add the cashew nut and raisins and sauté till it turns golden. Add it to the payasam abs serve the payasam warm or at room temperature 🙂