Valampuri Vinayagar Temple Visit

My mom is a big fan of Valampuri Vinayagar.The speciality of this deity is the curvature of the trunk.His cute trunk is curved towards the right side.Hence the name Valampuri.This is no ordinary Ganesh.He is a very rare find and doubly auspicious.He represents the sun and is masculine.The left trunked Ganesh is feminine and represents the moon.

Valampuri Ganesh represents renunciation,moksha and all that is honest and austere.He represents Pingala Nadi,a channel through which the energy of the subtle body flows.He also represents motion and energy.This temple is situated in Anna Nagar O block,hence it warranted our visit. The other deities in the temple are Goddess Durga,Lord Hanuman,Lord Ayyappan,Lord Murugan and his consorts and Dakshinamurthy.Such is the greatness of this Ganesh,I really hope that he uses his trunk to turn and churn my obstacles away!!.By the way my favourite sweet is Modak,I always crave for this delicacy..I know you do too...Lord Vignesh.

Sri Chandramouleeswarar temple visit

This evening mom and me visited this shiva temple at 15th Main Road,Ranganathan Garden,Anna Nagar.Check out the beautiful display of lights in the form of Shiva and Parvathi.

Onion Chutney

Onion thogayal goes well with steamed idlis. Here goes the recipe

Ingredients:

Onions-3-4

Oil-1tbsp

Mustard seeds-1 tsp

Urad Dal-1 tbspn

Red Chillies-3

Hing-a small piece

Tamarind-a small lump

Salt to taste.

Method:

Heat oil in a kadai.Splutter mustard,next put in urad,red chillies,hing and tamarind and fry till slightly brown.Scald onions till transparent.Add Salt.Cool.Blend in a mixer.The dip is ready to be served with idli or dosa.

This is my entry for Mane Adiges dip mania

Pathala Ponniamman Visit 3 Feb

This Goddess was found in a pit dug out for a well, hence she is called "Pathala Ponniamman".Her icon here is made out of Panchaloha(an alloy of five metals).We visited her on Thai Kirthigai, an ideal time to propitiate Lord Murugan.Hence, this deity was adorned beautifully.She occupies the centre of the temple and is flanked by her sons on either side.To her left is Lord Ganesh and to her right is Lord Karthikeya.The speciality of this temple is the shrine dedicated to her seven elder brothers,the Sapta Annanmaars.These elder brothers of Kali were born to Devaki,before the birth of Lord Krishna.This temple is situated in Pursawalkam and is 300 yrs old. This temple is also a part of a 2000 year old temple located at Pursawalkam known as Gangadheeshwarar.

For more details visit Pathala Ponniamman .

12 steps before you own a house

Came across this useful info on Times of India today.

Raw Tomato Melange

My dad got me half a kilo of raw tomatoes. I made kootu out of it. Here goes the recipe.

Ingredients:

Raw Tomatoes-1/2 kg

Moong Dal-1 cup

Salt-according to taste

Turmeric-a pinch

Asafoetida-a pinch

Coriander Powder-1 tsp(according to taste)

Sambar Powder-1 tsp(according to taste)

Salt-according to taste

Coriander leaves-for garnish

For spluttering

Oil-1 tsp

Mustard-1tsp

Red chillies-2

1tsp-urad dal

1string-Curry Leaves

Method:Cut up the tomatoes into small pieces.Put some water and let it cook till done.Pressure cook moong dal in the cooker.Take some oil in a pan,splutter the mustard seeds,followed by urad,red chillies and curry leaves.Put the cooked tomatoes and the lentils. Add salt,turmeric powder,hing,coriander powder,sambar powder and mix well.Cook till done. If this melange is watery add a teaspoon of raw rice mixed in water to make this thick.Garnish with coriander leaves.This is known as Pachai Takali Kootu

Peacock Kolam

Anna Nagar Ganesh temple visits jan 29 09

Arulmigu Vinaitheertha Vinayagar Temple
at N Block Anna Nagar East

















Arulmigu Chinthamani Vinayagar Temple
at N Block Anna Nagar East






Sthala Vriksham at Anna Nagar N Block












Flower Vendor at N Block

I also visited Ishta Siddhi Vinayagar Temple at 1st Main Road Anna Nagar East.I could not take pictures of the temple.The gold kavach for the Lord was a sight to see.