Devi Navratri Special - Sweet Pongal Desert

Navaratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga Devi. The word 'Navaratri' means 'Nine nights' in Sanskrit, Nava meaning "nine" Ratri meaning "nights".During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Durga are worshipped in different ways in different regions. On the tenth day, we called it 'Vijaya Dashami' or Dussehra !! The rituals associated with Navaratri vary from region to region. The tenth day of Mahanavaratri is 'Maha Navami' and is celebrated on Navami tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Indian month of Ashwiyuja Masam. Mahanavami is believed to be the last day of Durga's fight with the Demon Mahishasura. This is the final day before the Goddess won over the evil with her power and wisdom. So Maha Navami is also considered the eve of starting anything new on Vijaya Dashami. On this Maha Navami day, Goddess Durga appears as 'Mahishasura Mardhini'. The rituals include in Maha Navami is "Balidan" which is performed at the afternoon time (apaharana kalam around 12 O Clock). Another ritual performed on Maha Navami is Navami Homam that marks the end of Navami Pooja. Here in local temples, Chandi Homam is performed on Maha Navami Day. During this day we can chant Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, Lalitha sahasra Nama Parayanam, Durga ashtakam, and offer "Sweet Pongal" as naivedyam. I made yummy sweet " Sweet Pongal " naivedyam to Goddess Mahishasura Mardini Devi. Here I am giving the recipe for Chakkar Pongal...Let us see the procedure.

Ingredients   :

Rice -1 cup

Moong Dal - 1/4 cup

Cashew - 25 grams

Raisins  - 25 grams

Jaggery   - 1/2 cup

Cardamom       - 4

Edible Camphor - 1 pinch

Ghee         -  1/2 cup

Procedure :
1. Fry moong dal without ghee or oil and keep aside.
2. Fry cashew nuts, raisins, separately on tablespoon ghee each time. 
3. Cook rice with fried moong dal in pressure cooker by adding sufficient water, till three whistles.
4. Now prepare Jaggery syrup. Take a thick-based pan to add jaggery and little water. Let it Boil on sim flame till the syrup(paakam) is thickened. The syrup should be(Paakam should be Unda Paakam)thick consistency 
5. Filter the paakam into cooked rice, add ghee, keep on mixing at in low flame.
6. Add edible camphor and cardamom powder and give a good mix continuous.
7. Finally add fried cashew nuts, raisins and mix for one minute.
8. Now you can see ghee on the upper layer.
9. Delicious desert "hot Sweet Pongal" is ready to serve.

I offered this "Sweet Pongal" to Goddess Mahishasura Mardini on Maha Navami Day!! Hope you enjoyed my dessert, have a try and share your feedback on my recipe.