Shivratri - fasting and feasting

Tommorow is the Hindu festival of Shivratri. Maha Shivratri (the night of Shiva) is celebrated with a lot of religious fervor and enthusiasm. This festival falls in the month of Phalgun (February).

Devotees offer bel patra (bel leaves), bel fruit (wood apple), flowers and dhatura fruits in the temple and the Shiva lingam is bathed with water, milk, Curd and honey. 'Om Namo Shivaya' mantra and other prayers are chanted by people flocking the temples all through the night. This day is also celebrated as it symbolizes the marriage of Shiva and Parvati.

Many observe a fast on this day and abstain from rice, cereals and pulses ... and only have vrat ka khana. Some keep a strict fast and break their fast the following morning while some people have falahar (fruit only) fast. Aloo and sabudana tikki, saboodana kheer(tapioca pudding), kotu (buckwheat flour) and singhara (water chestnut flour) puri and pakoris are some food stuffs eaten by those observing a fast. Sendha namak (rock salt) is used in the food preparation.

Thandai - a milk based drink is traditionally made on this day. It is a dry fruit flavored milk and a great heat quencher too. 

Thandai 

Serves 1

15 almonds, blanched and peeled

8-10 cashewnuts

2 teaspoon poppy seeds (khas-khas)

1 teaspoon chaar magaz (dried pumpkin, water melon, musk melon and cucumber seeds)

6 peppercorns,

Few rose petals

Saffron, a pinch

1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

230 ml (1 cup) milk

Sugar to taste

Few drops of rose water (optional)

1 teaspoon, chopped pistachio for garnishing

Grind all the dry ingredients to a fine paste with sprinkling of water. Stir in the milk, strain the mixture through a muslin cloth and add a few rose water drops. 

Serve chilled, garnished with chopped pistachios.