Shree Rama Navami

          On the day of punarpusam nakshatra and navami, this month Shree Rama Navami is celebrated. I tell my kids simply that its Lord Rama's birthday. The special offering or neivedyam today are Neer mor, panagam, and soaked moong dal with citrus or raw mango.

Neer mor
Ingredients:
curd  1/2 cup
curry leaves 5-6
rock salt as needed
asafoetida  a big pinch
mustard seeds 1/4tsp
oil for tempering
juice of half lime/raw mango(finely diced)optional

Method:
1.Mix about 1 and half cups of water with the curd and pulse it till it incorporates well and the consistency is one of thin buttermilk.
2.Crush the curry leaves to release aroma and add to the buttermilk or neer mor.
3.Heat a little oil and pop the mustard seeds and then the asafoetida. Pour it in the neer mor.
4.Optional- if the butter milk is not at all sour then add the juice of lime or a few spoons finely diced raw mango.

Panagam
Ingredients:
Jaggery / raw sugar powdered 1/2 cup
Chukku/dry ginger powder 1/4 tsp
cardamom powder 1 tsp

Method:
1. Dissolve in 2 and half cups of water the jaggery completely, by stirring vigorously.
2. Add the dry ginger and cardomom powder, mix thoroughly and serve.

Vadai paruppu
Ingredients:
Moong dal/ payatham paruppu 4 tbsps
asafoetida  a big pinch
mustard seeds 1/4 tsp
raw mango finely diced 2 tsps
salt as needed
oil for tempering.


Method:
1.Soak the dal/paruppu in water for about half an hour.Drain the water.
2.Dissolve the asafoetida in about 1 tsp of water .Mix it with the paruppu.
3.Add the raw mango and salt.
4.Heat a little oil ina tempering pan, pop the mustard seeds and add to the dal/paruppu and serve.
  
          These are the three most important neivedyam/offering on Shree Rama Navami. Other than these, a payasam / kheer  or any sweet delicacy could be offered. Susvaad.   
 (pictures will be updated after neivedyam).