Recipes for Hindu Festivals

Indian FestivalsPhoto and some information from Himalayan Academy

A page under development…..a work in progress….

Festivals

Prasadam

The Magic of Hindu Festivals

Hinduism is celebratory by nature. Hindus miss no opportunity to set mundane matters aside and join with family, friends, neighbors and strangers alike to feast and have fun, to renew the home and the heart and, most importantly, draw nearer to God.

Festivals are perhaps more impressive and varied in Hinduism than in any other religion. The devout Hindu knows these are times of profound mysticism, when God and the Gods touch our world, revitalize our souls, lighten karmas and bless our families. Yet festivals do even more than this: they are essential to the perpetuation of religion, periodically reigniting the spark of zeal and devotion in the community. They provide the spiritual public square where Hindus engage with one another, affirming shared values and enjoying life’s intersections.

Before each celebration, vows are taken, scriptures are studied, pilgrimages are trodden and fasts observed in preparation–all individual acts of intimate devotion that bring the devotee closer to the Gods and keep him on the path to his inmost Self. As each festival begins, solitary adoration becomes a collective ritual, with millions of people taking their places in an ad-hoc choreography. Tradition is followed but the result is never the same; every festival is special and unforgettable in its own way.

Thus the Hindu is reminded of his faith by the sounds, scents and the wild medley of tastes laid out for the feast. His mind and emotions are imbued with Hinduism as sacred mantra prayers are intoned, the spiritual teachings are recounted by saints and the Gods are praised in melodious bhajans.

Each state of India, indeed each village, lends a little of its unique culture to how a festival is celebrated, creating almost endless variations. But recently, with the growing Hindu population outside of India, festivals have acquired an international dimension. They provide a window into Hinduism for the non-Hindu populations in countries as far flung as Norway, Chile and Canada. At the same time, for Hindus immersed in foreign and often very alien cultures, festivals are the most visible and memorable sign of their heritage. Celebrated with unmatched fervor but with paced regularity, festivals serve as a reminder of one’s identity and allegiance to Hindu traditions and ideals.

What could be more entertaining, alive, vibrant and yet pious and rich in symbolism than a Hindu festival? Professor Dr. Shiva Bajpai remarked that it is through festivals that most Hindus experience their religion: “Festivals, pilgrimages and temple worship are the faith armor of Hindus.”

  • Read about 15 selected Hindu festivals here. These downloads can also be used as media releases for your local papers.
  • 30 or more glorious photos of festivals and celebrations in India, from The Atlantic.

Traditional Prasadam Dishes

Maha Sivaratri

Siva's Dance of Creation

Sivaratri, or Mahasivratri, is one of the most auspicious occasions for members of the Hindu community. The day holds special significance for pious Hindus all over the world, especially devotees of Lord Shiva. Many of whom observe a strict day-long fast or Upvaas in honour of Lord Siva. The fast is broken only in the early morning of the next day, with the consumption of some traditional food items and drinks.

While virtually every Hindu festival comes with a sumptuous list of foods to feast on, during Mahasivaratri most Hindus fast. A spiritual practice found in almost all of the world’s religions, fasting calms the physical, mental and emotional energies, helping the devotee draw nearer to the ineffable Self within. While the most strict fast on nothing but water; others permit themselves fruits, milk or rice.

Many observe silence on this night, thinking of nothing but God. Silence, known in Sanskrit as mauna, quiets the demands of the mind and body, bringing forth spiritual clarity.

In Hinduism, God is not separate from creation. A virtuous life and certain techniques, such as yoga and ascetic practices, allow a person to remove the veil that makes us think of ourselves as separate from Him.

Who is Siva?

For hundreds of millions of Hindus Siva is the Supreme Being, the absolute One God who both transcends creation and pervades it—thus existing as our own innermost essence. Siva is the powerful Deity whose energetic dance creates, sustains and dissolves the universe in endless cycles. He is the master yogi delving into unfathomable mysteries, the supreme ascetic, the prime mystic, the Light behind all light, the Life within all life. Siva is often called Mahadeva, “Great Being of Light,” for He created other, lesser Gods such as Ganesha and Karttikeya. Although Siva is usually depicted as male, in reality God and the Gods are beyond gender and form, as depicted by His half-male, half-female form, Ardhanarishvara. Parvati, regarded as Siva’s consort in village Hinduism, is mystically understood as His manifest energy, inseparable from Him. The ancient Tirumantiram scripture says of Siva, “Himself creates. Himself preserves. Himself destroys. Himself conceals. Himself all of this He does and then grants liberation—Himself the all-pervading Lord.”

What happens on Maha Sivaratri?

Many Hindus perform an all-night vigil, plunging the soul into its own essence, led by Siva, the supreme yogi, who is both the guide and the goal of the search. Staying awake through the night is a sacrifice and a break from life’s normal routine, a time out of time to be with God within, to reach for the realisation of our true, immortal Self. Siva is known as Abhisheka Priya, “He who loves sacred ablutions,” and thus many temples and home shrines have water always dripping on the Sivalinga. On this special night, Sivalingas are bathed with special substances, sometimes several times. Mahasivaratri occurs on the night before the new moon in February/March.

Prasadam Offerings for Sivaratri

More Information

  • Download more information about Sivaratri (and other Hindu Festivals) here.


Karthikai Deepam

Usually celebrated in the month of Karthikai (the Tamil month) when the star Karthikai falls on a full moon day.

Karthigai Deepam is believed to be one of the oldest festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu, previous even to the Festivals of Deepavali and Navarathri. Reference of Karthigai Deepam can be found in such ancient Tamil literature as ‘Ahananuru’, (2,000 BC), ‘Jeevakachintamani’, written by the Jain poet Thiruthakka Thevar (Sangam period), ‘Kalavazhi Narpadu’ (1,000 BC) with mention of the festival made in the works of the poetess Avaiyyar.

Karthigai Deepam is also called the festival of lights and nowadays is observed as an extension of Deepavali festival with many families doubling the number of lamps at their home, every day from the day of Deepavali until the day of Karthigai Deepam. Like Deepavali, there is general practice of cleaning homes and decking up houses beautifully with stunning illuminations and multihued ‘Kolams’ or Rangoli.

In Kerala, this festival is known as Trikartika or Kartika Vilaku and is held in the month of Vrichikam (November – December). Lighting traditional oil lamps in the evening after sunset (during twilight period) is the main event on the day. Karthigai Deepam is also observed as Vishnu Deepam in Tamil Nadu and is an auspicious day for Vaishanvites.

Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol and believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy. It occurs on the day when the moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthigai (Pleiades). The constellation which appears as a group of six stars in the shape of a pendant, is considered in mythology as the six celestial nymphs who reared the six babies at the saravana tank which later were joined together to form the six faced Muruga. Muruga is therefore also known as Karthikeya (i.e. the one brought up by the Karthigai nymphs).

Food for Karthikai Deepam

Skanda Shashti

Skanda Shashti

Skanda Sashti is a six-day South Indian festival to Skanda, the Lord of Religious Striving, also known as Murugan or Karttikeya.

It begins on the day after the new moon in the month of Karttika (October/November) with chariot processions and pujas invoking His protection and grace. The festival honors Skanda’s receiving His lance, or vel, of spiritual illumination, and culminates in a victory celebration of spiritual light over darkness on the final day. Penance, austerity, fasting and devout worship are especially fruitful during this sacred time.

Who is Skanda?

Skanda is a God of many attributes, often depicted as six-faced and twelve-armed.
Saivite Hindus hail this supreme warrior, the commander-in-chief of the great army
of devas, or beings of light, a fearless defender of righteousness. They honor Him as the
mystic healer of ailments and master of yoga, guiding those who persevere on enlightenment’s path.Legends say He was the first to renounce the world and step onto the path of kundalini yoga. God Siva bestowed upon His son Skanda dominion over the chakras of willpower, direct cognition, and the purest, child-like divine love.

Murugan is the tutelary Deity of the Tamil community.

What do Hindus do for  Skanda Sashti?

It is considered meritorious to undertake a six-day fast, known as the Skanda Sashti
Vrata, or vow, in empathy for Skanda’s titanic struggle. Many abstain from all foods, while
some permit themselves fruits and simple, unsalted foods. Following immediately after
Diwali, the fast is an ideal antidote to that festival’s feasting, revelry and overindulging.

On the day the fast is broken, families enjoy a sweet pudding called payasam along with
fried delicacies. A six-part prayer for protection, called the Skanda Sashti Kavacham,
is chanted. Six is a number associated with this God. Another discipline is to stand in a river, facing upstream, draw a six-pointed star and write “Saravanabhava,” His supreme
mantra, on the water before bathing.

Special decorations adorn home shrines, featuring images of the peacock and
the fighting rooster. Devotees pilgrimage to Murugan’s temples, especially the temple in the seaside sanctuary at Tiruchendur in South India.

Read More

Food for Skanda Shashti

All food consumed during the 6 day Skanda Shashti festival is vegetarian, and cooked without onions or garlic.

It is a time for complete fasting in many places. But this might not be quite possible for many people due to work, health and other reasons. So many people consume a single meal each day during this time — usually at noon, in the afternoon or night. For many, it is a single rice meal at noon; In India, this may be provided by the temple. The cooked rice is consumed without any major side dishes.

Others opt for a fruit diet. Some avoid solid food. The method and traditions of fasting differ from region to region.

Breaking the Fast on the 6th Day

Foods for breaking the fast include thinai maa, kantharappam, sarkarai pongal, payasams and kesari.

You can also make thinai maa vilaku, a lamp from rice flour, jaggery and ghee, that is then served as prasadam to devotees.

Diwali – The Festival of Lamps

diwali_diya

Deepavali (Diwali or Divali) is India’s best-known festival. It is a day of Hindu solidarity, when all Hindus gather in love and trust. It is observed by lighting rows of oil lamps and exchanging greeting cards, clothing and other gifts. Family bonds are strengthened and forgiveness sought. For many, Diwali marks the beginning of the new year. Joyous festivities and parties abound.

In Hindu culture, light is a powerful metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. It is a reminder of the preciousness of education, self-inquiry and improvement, which bring harmony to the individual, the community and between communities. By honoring light, we affirm the fact that from knowing arises respect for and acceptance of others. Lighting lamps reminds Hindus to keep on the right path, to dispel darkness from their hearts and minds, and to embrace knowledge and goodness.

What do Hindus do for Diwali?

Diwali (or Deepavali, “row of lights”) is celebrated by Hindus worldwide to commemorate the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, hope over despair. Oil-wick lamps are lit in every household, along with colorful strings of electric lights, causing the home, village and community to sparkle with dancing fl ames. The festival falls on the day before the new moon in the month of Ashwin (October/ November). Communities spare nothing in celebration. Lavish spreads of sweets and treats reflect unfettered partying.

Diwali lehyam—a potent concoction made with ginger, pepper, ghee and more—is provided to help gourmands digest the sumptuous feast. Families reach out to each other with gifts of sweets, dried fruit and crunchy, salty treats. Everyone wears colorful new clothing and many even new jewelry. Girls and women decorate their hands with henna designs.

Diwali Celebrations

What foods are offered?

Anything sweet plays an important role during Diwali.

Food for Diwali

Navaratri – 9 nights dedicated to the Goddess

Millions of Hindus consider Navaratri the year’s central festival, the one they most deeply connect to. These nine days dedicated to Shakti, the Goddess, in her incarnations as Durga, Lakshmi and Saravati, provide an opportunity to seek blessings and commune with their own divinity. It is a time for sacred gatherings, austerities, selfless acts and intimate prayers. It also includes joyous worship, festivities, plays, feasting and dance—all venerating God as the loving Mother Spirit that gives life to everything.

What do Hindus do for Navaratri?

Navaratri starts on the new moon of September/October. On the first day, it is customary to plant seeds in a clay pot which will sprout over the next nine days. In some communities, women prepare a specially decorated kalasha, a vessel symbolizing the fertile womb, representing the Goddess.

Especially in cities in Tamil Nadu, families create elaborate shelf displays, called kolu, of handmade clay dolls. Adding new dolls each year and handing the collection down to the next generation results in some grand displays.

Navaratri Observances and Celebrations

Navratri on YouTube

What foods are offered?

Sundal plays an important role in Navaratri with a different sundal being made each day. Sundal is a salad made with cooked lentils or beans tempered with mustard seeds, urad dal and red chillies. Traditionally it was made as prasadam, an offering to the Gods, but these days it is available at any time of the day in the home or on the street.

Sundal is normally made with chickpeas (garbanzo beans), mung dal, channa dal, peas, rajma (kidney beans), green gram dal, or peanuts (groundnuts). For festival dishes, the Sundal generally won’t contain onions.

Food for Navratri and Dassera from around the Web

Later these will be sorted into food for offerings, fasting foods, traditional foods, and food for sharing with family and friends

** Cooking for All Seasons has put together food for each day of the festival:

** Anubhavati has a post for every day of Navaratri, beginning here.

** Sailu has a list of Navratri foods also.

Ganesha Chaturthi

Ganesh-Chaturthi

This part is just beginning construction, but will be ready for 2012 :)

During Ganesha Chaturthi, a ten-day festival in August/September, elaborate puja ceremonies are held in Hindu temples around the world honoring Ganesha, the benevolent, elephant-faced Lord of Obstacles.

In millions of home shrines, worship is also offered to a clay image of Ganesha that the family makes or obtains. At the end of ten days, Hindus join in a grand parade, called
visarjana in Sanskrit, to a river, temple tank, lake or seashore, where His image is ceremonially immersed, symbolizing Ganesha’s merging into universal consciousness.

What do Hindus do for Ganesha Chaturthi

Devotees often fashion or purchase a Ganesha statue out of unbaked clay. Many sculpt Him out of a special mixture of turmeric, sandalwood paste, cow dung, soil from an anthill and palm sugar. The Deity image is placed in the home shrine amongst traditional decorations. A rite of worship and prayer, called puja, is conducted daily, invoking the energies of the Deity and inviting Him to reside in the clay image. Mantras are chanted and offerings are made throughout the puja, including incense, lighted lamps, cooked food (naivedya), fruits, durva grass, tulasi and pomegranate leaves—and flowers, especially red ones.

After ten days, a simple puja is performed before the statue is taken for a formal departure
(visarjana). Often entire communities, from dozens to tens of thousands of devotees, gather each year for this final day of ceremony. The icons are carried on an ornate metal tray—larger images are borne on a palanquin by several strong men—to a lake, a river or the sea. There Ganesha is consigned to the water after removing non-degradable paraphernalia.

Ganesha Chaturthi Celebrations

  • Read more about Chaturthi as well as cook wonderful modaks here (a downloadable 1 page pdf that can also be used as a media release.)
  • In Mumbai
  • Celebrating at home

What foods are offered?

Sumptuous foods are specially prepared for Ganesha, keeping in mind His elephantine nature and prodigious appetite. People offer several varieties of fruits such as mangos,
bananas and sugarcane. Sweets are the elephant-headed Deity’s delight, so to express
their love families take great pains to make special tasty treats. Each family has its recipes.

Food for Ganesha Chaturthi (a list under construction)

Onam – A Festival in Kerala

Onam

Celebrating Onam

Food for Onam

Other

Maa Vilakku for Purattasi Saturday | Iyengar Festival Recipe

Prasadams

Especially for Durga Pooja

5 Responses to Recipes for Hindu Festivals

  1. Srivalli Jetti says:
    September 22, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    I am sure this is going to be a very interesting collection of recipes to look forward! Thanks for the efforts..really appreciate this..

    Reply
  2. Soma says:
    December 13, 2011 at 10:10 am

    I have never come across a more detailed post! This is so wonderfully done. and thank you much for including mine.

    Reply
  3. shrinkhla says:
    March 7, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    Thank you for this fascinating blog!Could I please have your email address, if you mail me at shrinkhla.sahai@sahapedia.org.in
    Thanks!

    Reply
  4. georgiemathew says:
    May 4, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    Thanks fro sharing such an exhaustive list.. Particularly like the link to a set of photographs in theatlantic.com and the section on Onam as well..
    Best
    Georgie

    Reply

Welcome! I hope you are enjoying what you see here. Thank you so much for your comment and your thoughts.

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