During the Navratri days, people in the Telangana (Northern region) area of Andhra Pradesh, India ..celebrate every evening.. by women getting together, singing songs, and dancing around these wonderful flower arrangements called "Bathukamma". At the end of the evening..nearing sunset, the flowers are set for sail in a river/creek and everyone exchanges their prasad. More about Bathukamma festival here.. Ironically, I have not seen much of these celebrations while I was still in India.. (probably because of my city dwelling.. and not being married :)) but, here in the US, we have been celebrating this pretty well.. !! Last night, some of us here, got together for the same.. and the following were the traditional offerings for the day at our home..
(Left to right : Peanut Podi, Mango Pulihora, Sesame Podi, Dhaddhyojanam, Moongdal Podi)
Ingredients:
3 Cups Sugar (Grind it into a fine powder and keep aside)
Peanut Podi/Palli Podi
2 Cup Peanuts
1 cup Jaggery (Grated)
1 cup Powdered sugar (from the step above)
Roast peanuts and grind them into a powder. Mix the grated jaggery with the peanut powder and grind again into a fine powder. Add the powdered sugar and mix well.
This is how my "Bathukamma" floral arrangement turned out :) The marigold, roses, gerbera daisies and the hostas are all from our garden.
Sesame Podi/Nuvvula Podi
1 Cup Sesame Seeds
1 Cup Sugar
Dry roast the sesame seeds and grind them into a fine powder. Add the powdered sugar and mix well.
Some traditional rangoli designs for the day.. 
Moong Dal Podi/Pesarla Podi/Moong Laddu
1 Cup Moong Dal
1 Cup Sugar
2 Tbsp Ghee
Dry roast the dal. Grind into fine powder. Add the powdered sugar and mix well. Add warm ghee and mix well. You can make this into laddu by adding more ghee and shaping them as laddus.
Here are the recipes for the Mango Pulihora and Dhaddhyojanam ..
Traditionally dressed married women, and young girls dance around the floral arrangements, while singing some folk songs.. 
Here are some of our "Bathukammas" floating in the creek...
This post goes to the following Navratri event hosted by LG @Taste of Mysore : 
Monday
Navaratri Celebrations & Prasad (Bathukamma Powders/Podis)
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9 comments:
Everything looks so yummy. Looks like you had loads of fun.
oh thanks dear for making us know more abt this festival...love the floral arragements and kolam....especially ur bowls ;)
wow, looks like you had a wonderful time. Flower arrangement is just stunning. YOu have done a great job. All the goodies look so yummy.
The kolam and floral arrangements are looking beautiful! And the food looks great too.. Looks like you had a great time :)
Pallavi, such a fantastic post dear. Please send it to my Navaratri festive food event. You can check out the details on my blog.
Floral arrangement is Awesome! Happy Dusherra!
The kolam/rangoli and flower arrangements look very beautiful...and the food looks yummy :)
Great pictures... and yummy recipes!
Thanks everyone for your wonderful words.. IT was a lot of fun.. !! I hope to keep the tradition going.. :)
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