#festive ghee

[aphra-blogs]

Buy Aphra A2 Cow Ghee – Pure & Rich Ghee for Festive Cooking | Shop Now

Enjoy the rich, golden goodness of Aphra A2 Cow Ghee this Navratri. Perfect for adding flavor and nutrition to your festive dishes, our A2 ghee is pure, healthy, and a great source of energy. Make your celebrations healthier with this traditional superfood. Order now from www.aphra.in and cook with love this festival season!

[annapurnagroup]

Annapurna Ghee | Festive Season | Diwali celebration

It's a special mishti. It is even given to Lord Jagannath at the Puri temple. The consistency varies. Many cook it down further to make small borfis or any or shape out of it. I like it a bit softer and runny. The ghee makes it glorious with the beautiful caramelised nutty flavour that ultimately comes out of cooking the semolina over time. It's been a couple of years that I have been using Annapurna Cow ghee for making sweets at home and the result is always terrific. This Diwali, try out this humble mishti and cook it only with pure cow ghee like Annapurna Cow ghee. And in case you want the detailed recipe, comment 'mohonbhog' in the caption.

Shop now- https://amzn.in/d/hSIvwIF

[parveens-kitchen]

Wheat Halwa

## **Wheat Halwa – First Dessert from My New Kitchen** Welcome to my new kitchen! Although we haven’t fully shifted yet, I couldn’t resist the urge to make a small dessert to mark the beginning of this new journey. With limited ingredients, a handful of utensils, and using whatever I could find in packages, I decided to prepare a simple yet delicious **Wheat Halwa**. This dish, made by…

[momiandme]

Scoops Healthy Yummy Cow Ghee Ladoo (Pack of 2)

Almonds, Cashew nuts, Dry Coconut (Khobra), Watermelon seeds, Muskmelon seeds, Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, White Sesame seeds, Poppy seeds, Fox seeds, desi Ghee.

Healthy pack to gift rich in nutrition. Bliss balls (laddu) made with atta and sweetened with jaggery.

This product contains:-

No refined sugar or other binders. 

No additives, preservatives or artificial flavours. 

It is 100% natural.

It is best before 3 months from the date of packaging, store cool and dry place.

High in dietary fibre

Native sesame is rich in good fats

It is a high energy food

Uses Desi Cow Cultured Ghee

Has anti-ageing properties

Boosts skin, hair and bone heath

Rich in antioxidants

It has anti-inflammatory properties 

[thepanvelite]

Delicious Seviyan Kheer | Indian Pudding

Aromatic Indian dessert, Seviyan Kheer: celebration of culture and tradition.

There’s something magical about the aroma of spices and ghee wafting through the kitchen, hinting at the delicious dessert that’s about to grace your table. Yes, we’re talking about the classic Indian Seviyan Kheer, a delightful pudding made with thin vermicelli or seviyan. This dish is a staple in many Indian households, especially during festive occasions. It’s a simple yet satisfying dessert…

[todaysfreshpm]

#todaysfresh May the flames of the Lohri bonfire bring prosperity and happiness into your life.

www.todaysfresh.net - Get sweets, snacks, desi ghee, spices, and homemade goods online from Origin Place...

[pujapujari]

Rectangle Design Brass Ghee Diya Holder-300gm

This intricate rectangle design brass ghee diya holder is made of brass and is shaped like a rectangle. It can be used for puja or decoration and is ideal for holding a diya (lamp). For daily puja activities, the holder has a simple rectangle design. Made of solid quality brass material, it is long-lasting and simple to clean. The most significant feature of this unique rectangle diya is that you can light multiple diyas at once, rendering more beauty to it.

Purchase This Rectangle Design Brass Ghee Diya Holder from PujaNPujari.

[vamprel]

Diwali with the Touchstarved LIs !!!

Quick little note, this is my first time doing anything like this so I’m sorry if it’s wonky and a bit out of character :’) also I’ll add the translations for some things at the end !!

—————

- For the puja, I think Kuras would be in charge of making the diyas

- Someone would have to make the sweets so uh I feel like Mhin could be a decent cook, Ais would cook out of nescessity, and Leander could cook well as long as someone makes sure he doesnt start experimenting and make whatever that gooey green drink was....

- Leander would buy the laddoos, and would assist Mhin in making the kheer

- Vere would be in charge of the rangoli, and obviously it’s going to look spooktacular (monster high reference, I can’t stop saying it.)

- During the puja, the MC/reader would be in charge of it because uh idk maybe they happen to be Indian so…!!! (Are there other Indian Touchstarved fans please where are you guys 💔)I feel like Vere would kind of be away from it because of the bell and I feel like he would have sensitive hearing because well, fox ears guy!!

- Mhin and Ais would DEVOUR all of the sweets after the puja

- For the first prayer song moment I feel like it would go well, then the second one Vere may try to annoy someone idk Mhin maybe and then everything spirals…

- it’s okay eventually everything calms down and we get to do fireworks !!

- Ais and Leander would go crazy with the fire bang or snaps or whatever those are called I don’t know 😞 they’d get into a competition on who can throw down the whole bag and get all of them to explode at once

- Mhin would look at the sparkler in their hand like Howl Pendragon looking at the star

- Vere would try to light everyone but Ais on fire. You’re next. Run.

- Okay time for fireworks show time !!

- Vere loves looking at the fountain of colors exploding in the sky, but would hate how loud it sounds

- Kuras and Ais likes all of the fireworks, he isn’t bothered by the noise or blinding colors, he admires them all.

- Leander seems like the guy to love fireworks, and the type of guy to start saying some huge festival speech that the others tune out

- I don’t think Mhin would like fireworks at all because of how flashy and loud it is, so they’d be inside consuming the rest of the kheer or chugging some falooda

- Or Leander dragged them out because festival time!! We must be together!! Friendship!!!! So now they’re by Kuras covering their ears and glaring at Leander

- Eventually everyone calmed down and finally looked at the fireworks

- Happy ending.

——-

Hey y’all sorry for the abrupt stop, I’m exhausted. I have so many art ideas and fic ideas all while being a student and it’s exhausting, so this is bad I know. Anyway the translations

Puja- it’s basically worshipping or prayer time.

Diyas- 🪔 THERES AN EMOJI FOR IT anyway it looks like that! The way my family does it is we have the little clay cup part and a piece of cotton, twist it, put it in the cup with some ghee(a specific type of butter) and boom you got a diya

Laddu/laddoo- for this you have to search up… it’s this orange colored and spherical shaped sweet, but i don’t know what it’s made of

Kheer- Indian rice pudding 10/10

falooda- kind of a milkshake, with basil seeds and sev (noodle things) inside, and it’s scrumptious there’s multiple flavors the the rose flavor is the best and iconic one 10/10

[thejournallo]

Explain the basic: Offerings

Desclaimer: Everything I will talk about is information that I got from books and sites online and even videos on YouTube. In my years of practice, I learned as much as I could out of curiosity and what works best for me. I suggest you do the same by learning as much as you can on your own (I will be here making posts teaching this kind of stuff) from multiple sources.

Offering to deities and entities in general is a practice found in many cultures and religions around the world. Every deity or entity that you make an offering for has its own symbol. For example, Apollo is the god of the sun; music, art, and poetry; writing something or singing for him can be offerings. 

There are many religions that take on the act of offering as a sign of respect and devotion to that specific religion. Here are some examples:

Hinduism: Offerings (puja) often include fruits, flowers, incense, and food, placed before images of deities in temples or home altars.

Buddhism: Offerings may include candles, incense, flowers, and food, placed before statues of the Buddha and bodhisattvas.

Christianity: Candles, bread, and wine are common offerings, especially in the context of the Eucharist.

Shinto: Offerings of rice, sake, and other food items are made at shrines to honor kami (spirits or gods).

Paganism and Wicca: Offerings might include seasonal fruits, flowers, wine, and personal tokens, placed on altars dedicated to specific deities or nature spirits.

All these religions have common practices that we can see and see over time; all of those are not rules but more something you can do or not do. (Especially because no one has the same opportunities.)

Altars: A dedicated space where offerings are made. This can be a simple shelf at home or an elaborate structure in a temple.

Purity: Many traditions emphasize the importance of purity in the offerings, meaning they should be clean and handled with respect.

Timing: Offerings are often made at specific times, such as during festivals, holy days, or particular phases of the moon.

Intention: The mindset and intention behind the offering are crucial. It should be given with respect, devotion, and a pure heart.

These offerings can take various forms, each carrying its own significance and purpose. Here's an overview of the different types of offerings and the common practices associated with them:

Types of Offerings

Food and Drink:

Fruits, grains, and vegetables: Often used in offerings to symbolize abundance and gratitude.

Cooked meals: Specific dishes that are favored by the deity or entity.

Drinks: This can include water, wine, milk, or other beverages. In some traditions, alcoholic drinks like mead or sake are common.

Sweets and desserts: Cakes, candies, or other sweet treats, especially those that are traditional or culturally significant.

Flowers and Plants:

Fresh flowers: Often chosen for their beauty and fragrance. Certain flowers are associated with specific deities.

Herbs:: Sacred or medicinal herbs may be offered for their symbolic properties.

Incense and Aromatics:

incense: Burned to create a fragrant smoke that is believed to please the deities.

Essential oils: Used for anointing or in diffusers to create a sacred atmosphere.

Candles and Lights:

Candles: Lit to symbolize light, purity, and the presence of the divine.

Oil lamps: Used in many traditions, often with ghee or olive oil.

Objects and Symbols:

Statues or images: Placed on altars as representations of the deity or entity.

Jewelry or precious items: Offered as a sign of respect and devotion.

Money and Valuables:

Coins or currency: Offered in temples or shrines, sometimes used to support the upkeep of the place of worship.

Jewelry or precious items: Given as a form of sacrifice or in seeking favor.

Actions and Devotions:

Prayers and chants: Recited to honor the deity or entity.

Songs and music: Played or sung as a form of praise.

Dance: Performed in some cultures as an offering of movement and energy.

Conclusion

Offering to deities and entities is a deeply personal and culturally rich practice. It serves as a way to connect with the divine, show gratitude, seek blessings, and maintain a reciprocal relationship with the spiritual world. The specific items and practices may vary, but the underlying principles of respect, devotion, and intention remain consistent across different traditions.

[ga-yuu]

~PROLOGUE~

------Welcome.

This is a world where everyone's dreams come true.

Now, what dreams shall we have?

For instance, a dream about eating the best food in the world.

...........

Oscar: "Delicious!!"

Everyone else: *gasps*

Oscar: "The magical sight that induces intense hunger, the exquisite texture that makes you ecstatic..."

Oscar: "The taste of the ingredients, the selected supreme flavours come together in your mouth and harmonizes with each other."

Oscar: "Truly....a gastronomic festival packed with all the delicacies from around the world!"

Oscar: "....This is what the ultimate ingredients and an ultimate chef can do. My dream of what looks like the ultimate gastronomic experience has now been fulfilled."

Cui: "Yayyhhh...!!! I did it! I did it! I finally got it!"

Kuchen: "Hahaha. You did it Cui. Who knew it would turn out so good, right?"

Rissh: "Mm....Cui nii-san is the best! He's the coolest! Also Kuchen is a genius!"

Oscar: "We have taken over gastronomy of the world. Gastronomy Guild has become the ultimate gourmet guild."

Oscar: "Everyone, please continue to work hard without being complacent. All for the sake of gastronomy----"

Kuchen, Cui, Rissh: "Yes sir!"

........

Or a dream of getting rich in casinos.

........

Seven: "........"

Ymir: "So...?"

Seven: "............"

Victor: "Oh my gosh! I'm getting so excited!!! I'm dying!!"

Seven: "........"

Ren: "Get'em, Seven!"

Camus: "6 - 4, Player wins."

Victor and Ren: "He did it!!!!!!!"

Ymir: *whistles~*

Victor: "I can't believe it! He won 10 BILLION gold!!"

Ren: "Hahaha...that's such a ridiculous amount of money...I can't stop laughing.."

Camus: "Next game. Bet please."

Seven: "........"

Camus: "Do you wish to continue? or do you want to withdraw? It's already enough to last you several lifetimes."

Seven: ".......Don't be silly."

Seven: "10 billion gold. I'll bet the whole amount."

Ymir, Victor and Ren: *gasps*

Camus: "Fufu....I see."

........

Or a common everyday dream.

........

Kai: "That's-what-I'm-saying. Mine is bigger! Mine is the biggest one!"

Zion: "Are your eyes for decoration? Clearly, mine is bigger than yours."

Ghee: "Ahaha...both of yours pumpkins are big enough....it's a draw, so I guess you guys...can stop...fighting?"

Kai: "I won the giant pumpkin contest."

Zion: *sighs* "First you forced me to compete with you, you lose and now you're whining. Seeing you being delusional makes me want to cry."

Kai: "Are you asking for a fight, you bastard!?"

Ghee: "G-Guys..can you HEAR ME~....!?"

Est: "Both of you are amazing! You've exceeded my expectations. Fufu..You have a great nose as a teacher."

Ghee: "Please teacher...don't laugh at this time..."

Est: "It's fine. They say 'the more we fight, the more we care' right?"

Kai and Zion: "I'll....keep fighting you!"

Ghee: "Fufu...it seems so."

...........

This world is full of dreams.

"No.."

This world is full of white hope.

"No...that's strange."

Why do you think so, seeing all this happiness?

"Because in this world..."

"They are not..."

...........

??: "....Emma."

??: "Hey, can you hear me!? Stay strong!"

Kuro: "Ah! Can you see me, Emma?"

Emma: "Was I....dreaming?"

Kuro: "Were you having a nightmare? But then again..."

Noah: "The scene happening in front of me right now is also a nightmare."

Itsuki: "Eden..."

Grandflare: "Eden! Why...?"

Kuro: "Eden is trying to make his dream come true. But...that's the same for us."

Rouge: "Yes yes. Everyone is so selfish, huh?"

Kuro: "Yeah. For each other's selfish dreams..."

Kuro: "Let's give it our all! Eden!"

..........

....

........

Kuro: ".......I'll make it happen, I promise."

Kuro: "Even if you disappear from this world."

Eden: "Heh. I see."

Eden: "Then....come at me."

...........

The world is full of shining dreams.

Sometimes, we seek it and know the pain of not getting it.

So what? I'm never gonna let go of your hand.

Let's go, to fulfil our precious dreams.

[siriusblack-the-third]

oooh is it Holi tomorrow? :DD can you give us some ideas or headcanons about James celebrating Holi with his parents/Sirius/Harry? <33

Honestly, depending on a few factors, everyone celebrates Holi on a different day (the traditions for Holi are different depending on the sect of Hinduism and region of celebration as well). Also, North Indian होली and Maharashtrian होळी (search up the differences in pronunciation, it's a bit hard to describe) are two completely different religious holidays. The Hindi होली (ho-lee) is equivalent to the Marathi "ranga panchami" (ranga- colour, panchami- fifth day of a lunar cycle). As far as I know, the Marathi होळी doesn't have an equivalent.

The traditions I'm going by are my family traditions— the Marathi traditions of my region— so i hope you enjoy. Let's goooo!

Oh yeah, this is before Harry turns eleven and goes to Hogwarts.

The day of होळी signifies the first day of spring in Maharashtra. Every year, the members of the Black-Potter family start the day by watching the sunrise together with cups of spicy chaha (marathi for chai).

The day is pretty much the usual, except for food. James cooks up a storm in the kitchen, making all the pancha pakwaan (pancha- five, pakwaan- dishes) with puran poli (a sweet flatbread), three different vegetables, rice, amti (somewhat like daal, either drunk from the bowl or poured over rice), and a traditional dessert. They invite the Weasleys, the Marauders and the Longbottoms over, and have a veritable feast for lunch and dinner. A very chaotic affair, but the Black-Potters love it.

All three of them absolutely adore panchamrut (pancha- five, amrut- nectar of the Gods. It's made of five ingredients- milk, ghee, sugar, curd, honey). Once James is done with his pooja and the naividya (the first morsel/sip of any food/drink is always offered to the Gods), the three of them pounce on the drink with all the vigour of someone who hasn't had anything to eat for days.

As the evening draws closer, Harry, the Weasley kids, Neville, and Lily and Remus out to the woods that surround the house and collect dried wood for. Meanwhile, James, Sirius and Peter gather the panchamrut and a bite each of the pancha pakwaan, and ready the porch for lighting a safe fire with the help of the Molly, Arthur, Augusta, Alice and Frank.

Just as the sun sets, the bonfire is lit, and the blaze reaches high into the sky within minutes, helped along by magic. Everyone sits around it in a circle, closing their eyes and praying— the fire signifies the destruction of the bad energy of the previous year and the purification of the soul for a better new year. Holi is the first day of spring, a mark of new beginnings, a symbol of clean slates and fresh starts. The Holi fire is where you throw all your baggage of the last year so it burns till it is gone, to prepare yourself for the upcoming year.

The pancha pakwaan and panchamrut are poured into the fire to loud cheers from the children, and then the real festivities begin. Everyone walks around the fire in a circle, howling at the top of their lungs. The sounds are slightly terrifying, especially when the darkness really sets in and the only light is the massive bonfire, but Harry loves the ferality of the entire thing. It's primal, the way the war cries rise up with the fire, echoing throughout the massive grounds of Potter Manor like the echoes of screaming ghosts.

Sometimes, Harry, Ginny and the Weasley twins start war dances instead of the howling. Those times, Bill and Charlie eagerly join in along with James, Lily and Alice, and the hard and fast thumping of their feet on the packed mud porch makes it seem like an earthquake is cracking the ground open.

Other times, they write their mistakes, insecurities, bad thoughts and regrets of the past year onto slips of paper and throw them into the fire, to signify the new start. Last year does not matter anymore; it is done and you cannot change it. You can have a new beginning, though, and Harry vows every year that he will be a better person.

James loves these times, where everyone he cares about is close to him and glowing with happiness. Holi is his favourite festival, because it is the day he and Sirius kissed for the first time. It is the day he remembers with fondness— childhood years spent with his parents and grandparents and cousins in a crowded wada (kind of like a palace but the size varies from anywhere between four bedrooms to like 70), sneaking panchamrut from under his mother's nose, dancing Garba around the fire with his Gujju friends in India, the day the Potter family first moved to Britain right before his 11th birthday. People expect his favourite festival to be Diwali or Ganpati Chaturthi because they are loud and huge and phenomenal celebrations, but his favourite is this— all his favourite people in the same place with the same happy smile and the same traditions that he loved when he had blood family.

Holi is a festival for families and loved ones, and the Black-Potters have a lot of love to go around. Family isn't defined by blood, after all.

[susieporta]

Perché si accendono le luci in India?

Nella casa di ogni indiano è accesa una lampada davanti all'altare della sua divinità di elezione due volte al giorno o addirittura tutta la giornata. Di più: anche nella cultualità templare e in occasione di festival è raro non scorgere l'accensione di lampade.

Perché? Nell'immaginario collettivo indiano la luce rappresenta la conoscenza e il buio l'ignoranza. Più precisamente la luce è associata all'Assoluto dipanante la nescienza che nelle varie tradizioni teistiche è considerato Śiva, Viṣṇu o la Devī. Pertanto la luce è venerata quale simbolo sommo dell'Assoluto e ci si inchina a essa per ottenere il sommo dono: quella conoscenza in grado di sostenere e informare di sé quotidianamente ogni azione e pensiero.

Si consideri, poi, che l'olio o il ghee rappresentano le tendenze negative da bruciare mentre lo stoppino simboleggia l'ego anch'esso da sottoporre a processo di torrefazione. Ecco perché non sono ammesse lampadine elettriche etc. come succedanei.

Ovviamente la simbologia legata alla lampada-conoscenza è davvero inesauribile: come è possibile accendere migliaia di lampade per mezzo di una sola lampada, così una singola mente realizzata può illuminare infinite menti per mezzo della condivisione della propria conoscenza (non c'è spreco più grande, invece, della non-condivisione e del conseguente esaurimento della luce/conoscenza).

Solitamente l'accensione della lampada è accompagnata dalla seguente recitazione (traduzione personale):

dīpajyotiḥ parabrahma dīpaḥ sarvatamo'pahaḥ

dīpena sādhyate sarvaṁ sandhyādīpo namo'stu te

Io saluto la lucerna della congiunzione (alba, mezzodì e tramonto), la cui luce è il principio supremo [che] rimuove tutta l'oscurità e per mezzo della quale ogni [ottenimento] può essere conseguito.

Diego Manzi

[nibblestoryteller]

Coconut Milk Laddoo Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups freshly grated coconut (or desiccated coconut)

• 1 cup full cream milk

• 1 cup condensed milk ( optional )

• 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)

• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder

• 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)

• A handful of chopped nuts (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Heat the Ghee:

• In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the ghee over medium flame. Once the ghee melts, add the freshly grated coconut.

2. Cook the Coconut:

• Sauté the coconut in ghee for 3-4 minutes until it releases its aroma. If using desiccated coconut, sauté until it turns slightly golden.

3. Add Milk and Sugar:

• Pour in the milk and add sugar. Stir continuously to combine the ingredients well. The mixture will begin to thicken as it cooks.

4. Add Condensed Milk ( Optional ) :

• Keep stirring to avoid sticking or burning. Cook the mixture until it leaves the sides of the pan and comes together into a thick, sticky mass.

5. Add Cardamom Powder:

• Sprinkle in the cardamom powder and mix well. This will add a lovely, fragrant flavor to the laddoos.

6. Shape the Laddoos:

• Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool slightly, until it’s comfortable to handle. Grease your hands with a little ghee and shape the mixture into small, round laddoos.

7. Garnish (Optional):

• If you like, roll the laddoos in some extra grated coconut or garnish with chopped nuts for a crunchy finish.

8. Serve:

• Allow the laddoos to cool completely before serving. These coconut milk laddoos can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Enjoy these soft, creamy, and rich coconut milk laddoos as a perfect festive treat for Janmashtami or any special occasion!

[parveens-kitchen]

Wheat Halwa with Jaggery

Warmth in a Bowl: Wheat Halwa with Jaggery – A Perfect Winter Treat and Temple Offering As the chilly winds of winter embrace us, there’s nothing quite like a comforting bowl of wheat halwa with jaggery to warm both the body and the soul. This traditional Indian dessert not only serves as a delightful sweet treat but also carries cultural significance as it is often offered in temples during…

[xasha777]

Besan Ladoo is a traditional Indian sweet that holds a special place in the hearts of many. Known for its rich flavor and melt-in-the-mouth texture, this dessert is often prepared during festivals, celebrations, and special occasions. Made primarily from roasted gram flour (besan), ghee (clarified butter), and sugar, Besan Ladoo is a delightful treat that is both simple to make and incredibly satisfying.

[thereader-radhika]

Meenakshi Thirukalyanam

Read all chapters in Wattpad

"Aiyyo, aiyyo, Enperumane, my daughter has become a lunatic and my son started to worship Chudalamadan! It's his luck that my esteemed husband joined your lotus feet before he had to witness any of this. I should have joined him in his pyre."

Amma has been crying since morning. Nandini and Thirumalai tried to console her but she wasn't having any of it. Nandini declaring that she is married to Kannan like Andal was the first shock. Some of her neighbours murmured that the girl is mad. Some said that they always knew that Nandini had divinity within her. Akka quietly left last week, knowing that trying to force Nandini will be a futile attempt. 

When annan said that he is going on a pilgrimage and invited her to join him, she was ecstatic. They planned to send amma to akka's home. Akka, athimber, periyappa and periyamma will be happy, a change of place will be good for Amma and Nandini won't have to deal with the prying glance of neighbours.

Though Amma was apprehensive about sending her unmarried grown up girl to wander around, she too thought that it is a good arrangement as she knew that Nandini could be stubborn when she wanted. But all plans fell apart when Annan declared that they are going to witness Meenakshi Kalyanam at Madurai.

"Amma, is it wrong to attend the marriage festivities of Alagar's sister?"

"Shut up! Why do you want to go when Alagar wasn't welcomed? By this rate, you two will be covered in chambal when you come back".

"I am already married to Kannan. So Madurai Meenakshi is my sister-in-law. Isn't it, anna?"

"Yes, yes. We all are family".

Frankly, Nandini too was astonished by Annan's initiative to attend the Saivite festival. She was reminded of a princess who would have been her sister-in-law in another life. A fierce princess with long eyes like Madurai Meenakshi. She felt uneasy. "Amma, I am going to check in on Gnanam akka's sister. She is down with fever", she didn't wait to hear their reply.

When she returned, Nandini overheard Amma scolding Annan for taking Nandini to a marriage festival. But annan reassured her that he always knew that Nandini is the next Andal and all this has been a divine coincidence. Also what if this visit turns out to be auspicious and she decides to get married?

"Do you men have any sense, idiot?", she placed her hands on her ears and closed her eyes. "Thirumalai, take me to your sister's home. I don't want to see or hear any of this. My poor child!".

•---------------•

The streets of Madurai reminded her of Pazhayarai. She saw people selling flowers, sandalwood, incense sticks, coconuts, betel leaves, camphor, bananas, ghee, etc. They first went to Pazhayarai on a Margazhi tiruvizha. Why are her eyes welling up? It is this heat and dust. She got used to the serenity of their village.

Annan waved at Pasupati Bhattar, their distant cousin. Nandini has never heard of this cousin. But then, they went to the Chola country when she was pretty small. Bhattar's wife Sivagami and two little sons instantly took a liking to Nandini. The boys reminded her of Ponniyin Selvan and kutti sithappan. Stop. Won't she get a respite from these thoughts, ever? Watch the festival.

They went to Bhattar's home after witnessing the festivities. Annan and Bhattar went out with their friends and Nandini visited the temple with Sivagami and the boys. She remembered the story of Sembiyan Madevi. She too was totally enamoured with Parameswaran when Kandarathithar met her and married her. These ladies dedicated themselves to Parameshwaran and he made sure that they'd have a good life.

Is her misfortune a punishment for loving a man more than Perumal? Will she ever get salvation from this misery? If Meenakshi was the daughter of a poor priest instead of the Pandya King Malayadhwajan, would Sundareshan have come down from Kailasam to marry her? 

Nandini insisted that they should visit the Meenakshi temple again before returning. But annan didn't show any interest. What happened to him? Why did he come all the way to Madurai if he didn't want to pray to the goddess? Pasupati Bhattar whispered something in his ears. Nandini saw his expression changing from amusement to determination. He told her that they'd stay there one more day and visit the temple on the next day.

•---------------• Nandini felt an inexplicable happiness after spending sometime inside the temple complex. Why doesn't Annan too come inside? Hasn't he come all the way to Madurai? Annan asked her to meet him near the entrance exactly after 40 vinazhigai. If he doesn't come back after 50 vinazhigai, hire a bullock cart and go to Pasupati's home. He had given her a few coins and a palm leaf with directions.

He saw one of his old friends, it seems. If that Vaishnavite too is visiting the Meenakshi Kovil, what's the problem? Nandini didn't understand. But annan disappeared into the crowd. Suddenly she heard blows of conch shells and beating of drums. A small procession with the royal fish standard approached the temple.

"The Fierce Warrior, the Bravest of the Brave, the vanquisher of the Chola Army, the one who took the head of  Kodumbaloor Bhooti Parakrama Kesari, the sword and shield of Veera Pandyan who took the head of the Cholan, the leader of the Thennavan Apattudavigal, Ravidasan Panchavan Brahmadhirajan is arriving. Make way, make way." Isn't Parakraman the chieftain Sundara Cholan sent to Lanka? Did he too die? Nandini saw a very majestic men alighting from an elephant. He had long hair which was tied into a neat bun and handlebar moustache. He was wearing gold and pearl ornaments, white veshti with golden trimmings and a blue shawl with intricate golden patterns of some beautiful fish. This must be Ravidasan. Some temple authorities welcomed him and he prostrated on the ground when he entered the royal complex. Isn't he an enemy of Cholas? Will he harm Aditha Karikalan in battle, like he took the he...? Nandini felt like life left her body. No, such inauspicious things can't and won't happen. She is just overthinking. Suddenly someone grabbed Nandini's hands and ran. She panicked but it was only Thirumalai annan.

"Did your friend see you, Anna?"

"No, kanne. My luck."

"You both are Kalla Vaishnavites".

"Maybe, wasn't our Ambadikannan too a kallan?", both giggled. She saw annan giving two palm leaves to someone. "Love letters for my girlfriends", he winked. She knew that he was joking. If he wanted to tell her, he would have told her already. What is he really doing?

Meenakshi Thirukalyanam - An annual wedding celebration in the city of Madurai. As per the legend, Meenakshi, an avatar of Parvati, was the daughter of  Malayadhwaja Pandian and Kanchanamala. Meenakshi conquers the whole world and falls in love with Siva. Siva comes down to Madurai as Sundaresan and marries Meenakshi. Lord Vishnu in the form of Alagar is considered the brother of Meenakshi. Sundaresan gives him the wrong date. He gives the gifts he brought to the couple but goes back without entering the Madurai city. Earlier, Meenakshi Kalyanam and Azhagar Tiruvila were conducted seperately but they were combined into one festival during the reign of Tirumala Nayakas in 17th c.

Enperumane - My Supreme Lord Chudalamadan - One who lives in graveyards, an aspect of Lord Siva Chambal- Ashes Alagar - Vishnu, Sundareshan- Siva. Both mean "handsome one".

Author's note: I wanted to introduce Pandyas as the royal people they were. In the novel they are insane wandering barbarians. I am just showing that they have seen better days.

Pandya kingdom is very ancient, mentioned even in Mahabharata. It was a centre of arts, crafts and learning. The kingdom was very prosperous too. Pearls of Pandya country were world famous, that's why Ravidasan is wearing a lot of pearls.