God Ghari

Yesterday was Shree Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj's Samadhi Anniversary. We began our day by attending the Gulal Ceremony at the Bangalore Math. The rituals performed here are the same as the main Gondavale Santhan but the sequence is different. The temple was crowded with devotees. It was a very moving experience to be there. The syncronized chanting of Ram Naam is a divine experience and many were tearful as they performed the symbolic Gulal Ceremony. I was mentally in Gondavale at the time.

Later I went to work. It being a wednesday, I sat at the nearby office and returned home early. Since I did not cook in the morning, I thought of making Naivedya of Shree Maharaj's favorite menu. He loved Bajarichi Bhakari and Vangi Batata Bhaaji. So I made the Taat consisting of Palak huli, Rice, Kadipatta Til Chutney, God Ghari,Vangi Batata Bhaaji and Bajarichi Bhakari.

The Taat represents the different devotees of Shree, Koli-God Ghari, Palak HuLi - Kannada, Rice a staple from all and Kadipatta Til Chutney, Vangi Batata Bhaaji and Bajarichi Bhakari from the devotees from the Sahyadri Ghats of Maharashtra.

Ingredients

1/8 cup jaggery

1 1/4 cup water

1 heaped cup rice flour

Oil to fry

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add jaggery and boil till it gets dissolved. Now add the rice flour. Remove from heat and mix to get a ball. Transfer the dough on to the counter and knead. Add a little more water if required to made a smooth dough. Wet your palms and shape rounds about 2mm thick. Make a hole in the center like a dough nut or medu vada. Deep fry in hot oil on medium until golden or slightly redder shade.

Though these are sweet doughnuts they are enjoyed with a spicy gravy, mostly with Black Eyed Peas curry. This God Ghari is made as an offering to the ancestors on Death Anniversaries and as Pitru Paksha offerings.

I hope all devotees of Shree had a good day.