After celebrating Janmashtami, it’s time to gear up for another communal festival, Ganesh Chaturthi. Although widely celebrated across the nation, Ganesh Chaturthi holds a special place in Maharasthra where it is celebrated with a kind of devotion that West Bengal sees during Durga Pooja.
This year the festival will be celebrated on 2nd September 2019. It’s a very popular 11 days Hindu festival celebrated to mark the birthday of epicurean Lord Ganesha who is worshipped for his ability to remove obstacles and bring good fortune. According to a Hindu belief, Lord Ganesha was born during Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. Considering this, the festival takes place either late in August or at the beginning of September.
Celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm, Prasad plays a significant role in the prayers during Ganesh Pujan. Enjoying Prasad or bhog is something most devotees look forward to. Here is a quick and simple recipe that one can offer to Lord Ganesha this Ganesh Chaturthi.
Lotus Seeds Halwa
Lotus seeds come out of the conical fruit of lotus species. Also known as Kamal Gatte Ka Halwa, it is considered as the purest prasad and a great sweet dish for Ganesh Chaturthi.
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
Broken lotus seeds: 1kg
Ghee: 400 grams
Sugar: 200 grams
Almonds: 50 grams
Pista: 25 grams
Method:
Soak broken lotus seeds in cold water for at least 12 hours. Remove the hard black skin from the top and peel the green skin from the seed. Wash them thoroughly in running water and make a granular paste. Heat the ghee in a thick-bottom kadhai (not an iron vessel, otherwise the halwa will turn black). Add the lotus seed paste and keep cooking slowly till it turns pinkish. You can now remove the excess ghee from the mixture. Make a sugar syrup with the sugar and 500ml of water. Add the syrup and cook till the halwa is thick and well done. Garnish with sliced almonds and pistas. Serve hot.
(Recipe Courtesy: Chef Shivanda Kain, Jaypee Green Golf and Spa Resort)