Vadapappu,Paanakam,Chalimidi

Every Festival do not complete by preparing with some variety of dish either it is sweet or hot ;offering to the Lord and partaking with the friends & Family members.So for the Sri Rama Navami Festival,Paanakam ,Vadapappu & Chalimidi are the special items prepared in every South Indian Family. On this day, every temple distribute these three varities to the devotees as a Prasadam.

Hindhus normally perform Kalyanotsavam (Marriage Celebration) with small idols/Murtis of Lord Rama & Sita in their houses & at the end of the day the deity is taken to a procession on the streets.People from the houses comes out to see and some may perform Aarti to the deity.Elders and youngers participate to carry the deity and  move to the streets by singing songs and doing Bhajans.

I like very much this festival Celebartions  ,at Vijayawada  Kothagullu Temple.People come from farway places too to see the Rama & Sita Kalyanam.The priest explains the story of the Lord and after the Kalyanam  & the Talambralu is completed devotees comes forward to pray and have blessings from the Lord.Some gifts also given to the deities on this Kalyanotsavam Occasion like Clothes,Money etc.

Volunteers on this day will be being busy in distributing the three prasadams in every temple and streets.As being the summer ;the paanakam makes people good taste to get releif from their thirst and it also acts as  an energetic drink to reduce body heat.Along with the prasadam ,people also get some handfans also to get air.

So friends,Lets celebrate & enjoy the Sri Rama Navami festival with the Three special items.

Vadapappu (Soaked Split Yellow Moong dal)

Ingredients:

• Slpit yellow Moong Dal-1 cup
• Green chilies -1no crushed or chopped
• Red chillipowder-1/2 tsp or adjust to your spice level
• Salt to taste
• Raw Mango pieces-2tbsp
• Grated Coconut-2 to 3tbsp
• Lemon Juice-1tbsp
• Coriander -few optional

Method:

• Soak the Yellow Moong Dal in the water for half an hour.
• Drain all the water ,take the Moong dal in to a bowl and mix all the above ingredients.
• This is eaten raw along with Chalimidi and it is not cooked.

(Note: This Vadapappu can also be prepared very simple by anytime for the Pooja in the home without mixing all the above ingredients only with the Soaked Moong Dal. Cover the Pesarappu bowl with a lid inorder to become dry)

Paanakam Ingredients:

• Water-5cups
• Jaggery-5cups Chopped
• Pepper Powder-1tsp
• Elachi - 1/4 tsp

Method:

• Mix the Jaggery and water,Let the Jaggery dissolve completely in the water.
• Filter the water,add the Elachi & pepper powder.
• Keep the Paanakam water in the Refrigerator or add ice cubes to it.
• Yummy..Yummy  Paanakam is ready !!

(Note:If you dont have Ice cubes or Fridge ,cover the Jaggery water Vessel with the wet cloth ,so that it retains the Coldness)

Chalimidi (Pacchi Chalimidi) Ingredients:

• Rice flour-1 cup
• Jaggery or Sugar-1/2cup
• Grated coconut -2 t0 3tbsp (Optional)
• Elachi powder-1/2tsp
• Water to make dough

Method:

• Take a bowl add tge rice flour,Jaggery or sugar and the elachi powder and mix them all by adding 1 to tsp of water to make a soft dough.
• Chalimidi is ready !!

(Note:Cover with a lid once the Chalimidi is done,otherwise it becomes dry & alternatively you may also prepare Paakam Chalimidi also)


Once you have prepared all these items ,offer to the Lord and have the Prasadam.