Varalakshmi Pooja - Festival Edition

Story
Varalakshmi Vrath is an important pooja performed by many women in the states of AndhraPradesh,Karnataka and some parts of TamilNadu in India. Eight forces or energies are recognised in this festival and they are known as

1. Sri (Wealth)
2. Bhu (Earth)
3. Saraswati (Learning)
4. Priti (Love)
5. Kirti (Fame)
6. Santhi (Peace)
7. Tushti( Pleasure)
8. Pushti( Strength)

Each one of these forces is called a Lakshmi and all the eight forces are called the Ashta-Lakshmis or eight Lakshmis of the Hindus.
I celebrated this year's pooja with great splendour.....This is my 3rd time in a row and many of my friends turned up (around 30-35 ) .That day was indeed a day to remember.Here are the pics of my lakshmi pooja :
I made Pulihora (Tamarind rice),Poornalu (a sweetmeat stuffed inside wheatflour pooris),and Karampoosa(a hot snack).Let me present you the recipes one by one. I distributed 'Kalachana' to everybody....I soaked them the previous night and by morning they bloated up and the sight was so good...I cudn't resist clicking a neat little picture :-)We make the sweetdish 'Poornalu' that day. I love Poornalu and just can't wait until the final offerings to the goddess are made to splurge on them :-)) Do I sound greedy dears..???
Well,letz unravel how to go about making them.Traditionally,these are made in the shape of round balls....I just changed the shape to a Kajjikaya shape (half-moon shape) to make it more appealing and interesting.

Pooja vidhanam:
1) On the table where you put kalash, draw a kolam and spread cloth on it. Put rice on the cloth. Keep kalash on the rice after preparing the kalash as described in the next step
2) Preparing the kalash -> Take a thread and smear it with haldi. Tie a Pasupu kommu to it and tie the thread around the neck of the kalash. Inside the kalash, add rice, dry fruits, small fruit,coins,gold,vakka,pasupu,kumkum. Take 5 betel leaves and spread around the mouth of the kalash. Place a haldi smeared coconut in between. The Lakshmi face needs to be tied to the kalash
3)Do decoration as needed with flowers and pooja - Lakshmi ashtotram and Varalakshmi vratam story. 

Poornalu. Recipe Link Here.
 

Actual Reviews from people who tasted it:
Very tasty,what an innovative idea...poornam in the shape of kajjikaya,beautiful appearance,yummyNow letz get on to the recipe of Karampoosa....a traditional hot crunchy snack......very easy to make and very tasty too.... 

Karampoosa. Recipe Link Here.

Actual Reviews from people who tasted it:
Very crunchy,crispy,tasty,addictive taste,nice snack that even kids likeI got a lot of compliments for the Pulihora I made that day.And many noted down its recipe.I use my own powder to add to the pulihora and I always have it stocked in my refrigerator.I made nearly 10 cups of pulihora that day.Because I had my powder ready ,it was not much of an enervating job for me that day. Also,you can make the Pulihora mix in advance and store it in the refrigerator and combine it with rice any time. Stores best for nearly 2-3 months..
 
Pulihora. Recipe Link Here.


Actual Reviews from people who tasted it:
Very very tasty,tastes like the Pulihora offerings made in a temple,recipe please, and so on and so forth.... :-)