MULTI MILLETS KALKANDU / ROCK CANDY AKKARA VADISAL

Today is "KOODARAVALLI DAY"

Koodaraivalli is a function celebrated based on Andal's 27th pasuram "KOODARAI VELLUM SEER...". Every year, margazhi 27 is celebrated as "koodaravalli" hence. In this day, the andal with her friends have completed their fasting in this day and started enjoying themselves for the rest three days. The song "vaiyathu vazhveergal..." should be think of before entering into Koodarai vellum pasuram.

This is based on the verse 27 of Thirupaavai and its contents.

In the pasuram, "Vaiyathu vaazhvirgal", andal is telling us how to involve in the fasting and what are all the procedures. You should always chant the bhagavannama for the whole day of fasting, avoid ghee, milk, take bath early in brahmamuhurtha, dont decorate yourself, dont do avoided things (eating outside, speaking unnecessary words, etc.), help others, so on...
கூடாரை வெல்லும் சீர் கோவிந்தா உந்தன்னைப் 
பாடிப் பறை கொண்டு யாம் பெறும் சம்மானம் 
நாடு புகழும் பரிசினால் நன்றாகச் 
சூடகமே தோள் வளையே தோடே செவிப் பூவே 
பாடகமே என்றனைய பலகலனும் யாம் அணிவோம் 
ஆடை உடுப்போம் அதன் பின்னே பாற் சோறு 
மூட நெய் பெய்து முழங்கை வழி வாரக் 
கூடி இருந்து குளிர்ந்தேலோர் எம்பாவாய்

What are the prizes that Narayana give?  First the bangles (choodakam), then the shoulder bangles (thOL vaLai),
ear studs (thOdu), then special gold long chains that are worn in the ears (sevi poo), then the anklets (nupuram or
padagam) and also other ornaments.  Then nice dresses!
Finally the sumptuous eating of sweet pongal comes.

Koodi irunthu - in a group - Sat sangh of Narayana devotees.

kuLirnthElo - The sat sangh makes them to revel in the chillness of bliss, with all desires fulfilled.

The word Koodara Valli comes from the first words, "koodArai veLLum seer Govinda."

The Lord helps sadhus and bhaktas (Gajendra, Prahlada, Uddhava, Arjuna and others) but kills or conquers those who are evil
and not in union with Him (Hiranyakasipu, Ravana, Kumbakarna, Sisupala, Dhandavaktra, Kamsa and others.)   

Andal is a psychiatrist, Dietician, beautician, what not I think. The enemies she is telling is the uncontrallble mind only. By doing fasting, then preparing delicious dish and then sharing the same with others make our mind cool and harmless. After a pakka dieting, if we loaded ourselves with ghee and milk, the proteins will get accumulated into appropriate places and necessary aminoacids will started secreting.

Akkara Adisil is usually prepared on this “Koodaravalli day” . Also, for Panguni Uthram, this is a main Prasadam in Srirangam Temple. Akkara Adisil usually offered as a prasadham in the temples which has an unique taste. We make sakarai pongal for many festivals. The procedure is much similar to sakarai pongal, but akkaravadisal is a slightly different take to the sweet pongal(sakkarai pongal). The main difference between the 2 is : For akkaravadisal(Akkara Adisal) milk quantity is more also we use sugar, the dal proportion is more when compared to sweet pongal. 

Here I made a variation with our traditional akkara vadisal. Instead of rice I have substituted millets like samai rice/ small millets, kodo millet / varagu arisi, kudhiraivali rice/ barnyard millet. Instead of jiggery and sugar I used kalkandu / rock candy. Tastes yummy.

Celebrate this koodaravalli day with our own beautiful  Andal and  seek blessings and love from maha Vishnu.

                                   

INGREDIENTS

Samai rice/ small millet , varagu arisi/kodo millet, kudhiraivali rice/ barnyard millet – 1/4 cup altogether
Moong Dhal                                                                                                               – ½ cup
kalkkandu / rock candy   – ½  cup
raw Milk to boil millets and moong dhal                                                                     – 2 cups
boiled milk                                                                                                                 – 1/2 cup
unsalted butter                                                                                  - 50 grams to 100 grams
Butter                                                                                                 - 1 tbsp for frying the raisins

Pachai karpooram / edible camphor                                            - a pinch

FOR GARNISHING

Raisins                                                                                                            - 10 to 15 nos
Kalkkandu / rock candy                                                                      - few

METHOD

Wash well the millets and dhal together and add 2 cups of milk in a l broad container and pressure cook for 10 whistles.

Once pressure releases,  take out the container and mash the cooked millet dhal mixture and add the 1/2 cup of boiled milk.

Transfer this millet dhal mixture into a pan and add half cup of kalkkandu / rock candy and butter and cook in a medium flame.

Once kalkkandu / rock candy  is added it becomes slightly runny so keep stirring.Mix well and keep cooking with stirring in between till the required consistency(it should not stick and should of slightly runny) is reached. Add edible camphor/pachai karpooram and mix well.

Fry the raisins in butter and garnish on the top of multi millet kalkandu / rock candy akkara vadisal.