Navratri 2023: Everyone loves festivals, and I am no different. And my joy knows no bounds as the Navratri season ushers in the nation’s joyful mood. Since I was a child, Kanjak on Ashtami ad Navami has consistently been my favorite part of Navratri. On this one day of the year, when I was a girl, I used to get up early without fuss, get ready for the puja at my house, then go with my friends to other nearby homes in the neighborhood. It has to be among my favorite childhood recollections. Since we collaborated as a team, my brother’s as well. I remember how the halwas and kale chane from different homes tasted differently, and I absolutely loved it. So much so that I did not really realize how my brother took away more share of the money than of the halwa! Besides the money, we had a deal with our priorities pretty clear-pack-in as much halwa and chole from different homes to share and nosh upon later, he had told me.

Kanjak, though, continues to be my favorite dish. The morning is made better by the delicious smells of hot halwa, fluffy pooris, and dry masala chana. Although my mother may claim that I am too old for the kanjak puja, I have never been too old for the meal.

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The importance of Kanjak

Kanjak, also known as Kanya Puja, is an important ritual in Hinduism that involves worshipping young girls as a form of Goddess Durga. It is usually performed during the Navratri festival, which is celebrated in the months of March/April and September/October.

The Kanjak ceremony holds great significance in Hinduism as it is believed to bring blessings, prosperity, and good fortune to the households that perform it. It is also considered a way to honor and show respect to the female child, who is considered a form of Goddess Durga.

During the Kanjak ceremony, young girls are invited to the house and are offered food, clothes, and gifts as a form of worship. The girls are also given blessings and prayers by the family members, who seek the blessings of Goddess Durga through them.

In addition to its religious significance, Kanjak is also a way to promote gender equality and women empowerment in the society. By worshipping young girls, it emphasizes the importance of treating them with respect and equality, and not discriminating against them on the basis of gender.

Overall, Kanjak is an important ritual in Hinduism that promotes the values of respect, equality, and empowerment of women, and is a way to seek the blessings of the divine through the worship of young girls.

kanjak

 

Halwa and Kale Chane are traditional dishes that are often prepared during the Kanjak Puja. Here’s how to make them at home:

Recipe for Halwa:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of suji (semolina)
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1 cup of ghee (clarified butter)
  • 3 cups of water
  • A pinch of saffron (kesar)
  • Dry fruits (optional)

 

Instructions:

  1. Heat ghee in a pan and add the suji. Roast the suji until it turns golden brown in color and gives a pleasant aroma.
  2. Add sugar and water to the pan and mix well until the sugar dissolves completely.
  3. Add saffron and stir well.
  4. Cook the halwa on low heat until it thickens and the ghee starts to separate from the sides.
  5. Add dry fruits (optional) and mix well.
  6. Serve hot.

Recipe for Kale Chane:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of kale chane (black chickpeas)
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tomato, finely chopped
  • 2-3 green chillies, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp of ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 tsp of cumin seeds (jeera)
  • 1 tsp of coriander powder (dhaniya powder)
  • 1 tsp of red chilli powder (lal mirch powder)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Water, as needed
  • 2 tbsp of oil

Instructions:

  1. Soak the kale chane overnight and pressure cook them until they are soft and well-cooked.
  2. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. Allow them to splutter.
  3. Add onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
  4. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chillies. Sauté for a few seconds.
  5. Add tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.
  6. Add coriander powder, red chilli powder, and salt. Mix well.
  7. Add the cooked kale chane and mix well with the masala.
  8. Add water and bring it to a boil.
  9. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the gravy thickens.
  10. Serve hot with Halwa.

Both dishes are easy to prepare and are delicious. You can adjust the spice level according to your taste preferences. Enjoy making these dishes at home for Kanjak Puja!

 

suji

 

The next dish is hot, crispy puris that serve as a bed for the halwa and chole. Although puris are typically made with wheat flour, some people during Navratri also like to make them with kuttu or buckwheat flour. You can get the complete puri recipe here.

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