Navratri: Nine Days Festival

The most characteristic dances of Gujarat during Navratri are the Rasa and Garba dances which are performed at all levels of society by men and women.
The origin of the Rasa is traced back to the legends connected with the life of Lord Krishna. It is essentially associated with the agricultural rites. The Rasa is performed in Gujarat India on Navaratri; and other important festivals associated with harvest and crops. The Rasa dances of Saurashtra are closely related to agricultural functions and are for the best part grain-ritual dances.


‘Garba’ is a dance performed only by men and are often complex circular formations to represent designs of lotus and other designs considered magical religious and auspicious. The choreograph pattern of the dance, the floor designs made by the dancers, is similar of the paintings seen on the walls of huts. Through these designs whether on the floor or walls, through paint and color or through dance, ritual is held and spirits are invoked.

The Garba is indeed a ceremony in which everyone can take part irrespective of caste or social position. The dances are accompanied by drums (dholak) and the vocal women. The songs of the Garba are often history and melodious and have been handed down through generations.
Navratri is a long festival, which is celebrated continuously for nine days. Therefore, a variety of dishes are made and served during this festival. Special Navratri cuisine is a part of the multitude of culinary delights of the country. Since, in most of the communities, people observe fast during Navratri and eat only one meal a day at sunset, the Navratri meal has special courses and is strictly vegetarian. The choice of vegetables may vary from region to region. Spices are restricted to red chillies, turmeric and cumin seeds and only rock salt can be used. However, one can eat milk, curd, fruits and nuts. Saboodana vadaa is one of the recipes prepared during the vrats. A special snack made on the occasion of Navratri, the vadaas are very crispy and crunchy and melt in your mouth. In fact, the mouth watering snack item is considered as an ideal food to eat during Navratri fasts. Click here for the recipe >>

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EASTER MANIA

Easter time is time for long weekend holiday, parties, fun and celebration not only within the United States but throughout the world. With fun and celebration, comes the importance of food. Every festival has special food items with very interesting ingredients.


Different countries have different recipes for all meals. Let us look at some Easter food ideas from various places. In England boiled eggs are served for breakfast, Roast lamb with mint leaves and veggies become the traditional main meat meal. There is traditional Easter pudding of custard tarts with flat Easter biscuits and currants. For tea, Simnel cake is baked.

While in Germany, with the traditional recipes they have lamb shape cake and eat fish delicacies. In France they relish the French Easter fish, leg of lamb, lamb stew along with spring vegetables. In America, they relish baked ham, potatoes and vegetables along with hot cross buns. In India, in addition to traditional food, they relish simnel cakes and pancakes. These were a few Easter food ideas but we can make more and have our own flavor to it.

Irrespective of the country, the chocolates, cookies, fun Easter eggs, candies, marshmallows etc. hold a definite place in the Easter Food. Some of the Easter food ideas would be to get personalized chocolates, bunny cookies and candies etc. All the Easter Goodies can be found at: http://www.dishal.com/sweets/shopsweets3a.htm

With all the information, it surly makes it little tempting to look at some Easter food ideas for the coming Easter. Have loads of chocolates, biscuits and the spring veggies.