!!!!! ~ Sabarimala 2011 – 2012 ~ !!!!!

The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala is open for darshan only during certain specific periods in a year. Below are the dates on which the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple will remain open during 2011 – 2012.

The temple is open for monthly pujas for five days from the first of Malayalam month on all months in year. Other days when the temple is open are for Sabarimala Shrine festival, Vishu, Ayyappa Idol installation anniversary puja, Onam puja, Sri Chitira Attam Thirunnal, two months during the Mandalam Pooja season (November – December) and finally during the Makaravilakku Puja (January) season.

January 14, 2011 – Makaravilakku Puja

Temple open on all days in January till January 20, 2011

Temple closes at night on January 20, 2011.

February 2011 at Sabarimala

February 12, 2011 to February 17, 2011 – Kumbha Masa Puja – Monthly Puja – The temple remains open for five days during the period.

March 2011 at Sabarimala

March 09, 2011 to March 19, 2011 – Meena Masa Puja Monthly Puja and Sabarimala Annual Temple Festival.

Painguni Festival and Special Puja is also on March 19, 2011.

April 2011 at Sabarimala

April 10, 2011 – April 18, 2011 – Vishu and Medam month Puja and Darshan
April 15, 2011 – Vishu Kani Darshan at the Temple
April 18, 2011 - Vishu Festival Ends

May 2011 at Sabarimala

May 14, 2011 to May 19, 2011 – Edava Masa Puja - Monthly Puja – The temple remains open for five days during the period.

May 10, 2011 – Ayyappa Idol installation anniversary puja
May 11, 2011 – Ayyappa Idol installation anniversary day

June 2011 at Sabarimala

June 15, 2011 to June 20, 2011 – Mithuna Masa Puja – Monthly Puja – The temple remains open for five days during the period.

July 2011 at Sabarimala

July 16, 2011 to July 21, 2011 – Karkidaka Masa Puja – Monthly Puja – The temple remains open for five days during the period.

There is also a Niraputtari in this month and the date is decided by the Travancore Royal Family.

August 2011 at Sabarimala

August 16, 2011 to August 21, 2011 – Chinga Masa Puja – Monthly Puja – The temple remains open for five days during the period.

September 2011 at Sabarimala

September 7, 2011 to September 11, 2011 - Onam Puja.

September 9, 2011 – Thiru Onam Puja

September 16, 2011 to September 21, 2011 – Kanni Masa Puja – Monthly Puja – The temple remains open for five days during the period.

October 2011 at Sabarimala

October 17, 2011 to October 22, 2011 – Thulam Masa Puja – Monthly Puja – The temple remains open for five days during the period.
October 25, 2011 to October 26, 2011 – Sri Chitira Attam Thirunnal

November 2011 at Sabarimala

November 16, 2011 – Mandala Kalam Starts – Shrine open for 41 days

Temple open on all days from November 16.

December 2011 at Sabarimala

Temple open on all days till the night of December 27, 2010 on all days.

December 27, 2011 – Sabarimala Mandala Puja - Temple closes in the evening
December 30, 2011 – Temple opens for Makaravilakku.

January 2012 at Sabarimala

January 15, 2012 – Makaravilakku Puja

Temple open on all days till January 20, 2012

Temple closes at night on January 20, 2012.

Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple Timings

On the above days the temple usually opens at 0400hrs and closes at 1300 hrs and then opens again at 1600 hrs and closes at 2300 hrs.

Neyyabhishekam takes place from 0430 hrs to 1130 hrs.

During the peak seasons the timings might altered to accommodate the large number of devotees.

Daily Puja Timings

The Usual Puja Timings are as follows when the temple is open:

Temple opens at 0400 hrs (4: 00 AM)
Nirmalya Darshan is at 0405 hrs
Mahaganapati homam is at 0415 hrs
Neyabhishekam is at 04:20 hrs
Usha Puja (Morning puja) is at 07:30 hrs
Uccha Puja (Afternoon Puja) is at 12:30 hrs
The Temple closes afternoon at 13:00 hrs (01:00 PM)

Evening Puja
In the evening Temple opens at 16:00 hrs (4: 00 PM)
Deeparadhana (Evening puja) is at 18:30 hrs
Pushpa Abhishekam is at 19:00 hrs (Some days or Padi Puja – puja of the eighteen holy steps is performed during the period).
Athazha Puja is at 22:30 hrs
Harivarasanam – at 22:50 hrs
The Temple closes for the day at 23:00 hrs

Hindu Festivals 2011

This is a list of important festival dates in Hinduism in 2011 based on various regional Hindu calendars. The same festival might be celebrated a day earlier or later in different parts of India. The calendar is incomplete as there is confusion regarding few Hindu festivals in 2011.

January 2011

Makar Sankranti 14th January, 2011 - (15th January in western and eastern parts of India)

Pongal – 15th January, 2011

Thai Pusam – January 20, 2011

February 2011

Vasant Panchami – Saraswati Puja – February 8, 2011

March 2011

Shivratri – 3rd March, 2011

Holi – March 20th, 2011

April 2011

Ugadi (New Year in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh) – April 4th, 2011

Gudi Padva – April 4th, 2011

Chaitra Navratri Begins - April 4th, 2011

Ram Navami – 12th April, 2011

Chithirai 1 (Tamil New Year) – 14th April, 2011

Hanuman Jayanti – 18th April, 2011

Vishu (Kerala) – 14th April, 2011

New Year in Bengal and Assam – 15th April, 2011

May 2011

Akshaya Tritiya – 6th May, 2011

Narasimha Jayanti – 16th May, 2011

June 2011

Puri Rath Yatra – 3 July, 2011

July 2011

Vyas Purnima, Guru Purnima – 15th July, 2011

August 2011

Raksha Bandan – 13th August, 2011

Sri Krishna Janmashtami – 22nd August, 2011

September 2011

Ganesh Chaturthi - 1st September, 2011

Onam - September 9, 2011

Pitru Paksha Shradh - 13th September, 2011 to 27th September

Navratri Begins – 28th September, 2011

October 2011

Durga Ashtami – 4th October, 2011

Maha Navami – 5th October, 2011

Vijaya Dashami – Dussehra – 6th October, 2011

Karva Chouth – October 13, 2011

Deepavali – Diwali – 26th October, 2011

Gujarati New Year - 27th October, 2011

November 2011

Karti Purnima - November 10

Sabarimala Mandala Kalam begins – 16th November, 2011

December 2011

Sri Dattatreya Jayanti - December 10

In February 2011 there are two Ekadashi Fasting dates. Ekadasi fasting is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu and falls on the 11th day of a lunar fortnight. Ekadashi February 2011 dates are February 14 and February 28.

The Ekadasi on February 14, 2011 is known as Jaya Ekadasi. This Ekadasi is also observed as Bhishma Ekadasi mainly in South India. In eastern parts of India, this Ekadasi is known as Bhoumi Ekadasi

How To Observe Ekadasi VRAT?

Ekadasi Fasting is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is observed on the 11th day of waning and waxing phase of moon in a traditional Hindu calendar. This is one of the most popular Vrat observed in Hinduism. How to observe Ekadashi was narrated to Arjuna by Lord Krishna and is found in the Bhavisyottara Purana.

When to start Ekadasi Fasting?

Lord Krishna advices Arjuna to begin the Ekadasi fasting in the autumn season with Utpanna or Uttpatti Ekadasi occurring during the waning phase of the moon in November – December.

Fasting Method

Ekadasi is the name of the Goddess that arose from Lord Vishnu to defeat Demon Mura. Happy with her divine act, Lord Vishnu blessed her that anyone who observes Ekadasi fast will be freed of their sins and will attain Moksha.

Some people only take a single meal on the Dasami day, the day before Ekadasi.

Things needed for Ekadasi Puja and Prayer

• A picture or photo or idol of Lord Vishnu
• Fruits
• Tulsi leaves (The tulsi leaves should not be picked on the day but on the previous day)
  
• Yellow bananas
• And other normal puja items

Observance

• Wake up early in the morning. Take bath and offer prayers.
• Perform a simple puja to Lord Vishnu at home by lighting a lamp and offering fruits and Tulsi leaves.
• Pray or meditate for few minutes.
• If there is a Vishnu temple nearby visit the temple and witness morning pujas and rituals.

Complete fast or Upavas on the day is the main observance.

Ekadasi Fasting

Fasting is for 24 hours. It is believed that a partial or total abstinence from food on Ekadasi is rewarded with bliss.

• If you have any health problem or are taking medicines, please consult your doctor before deciding on fasting. You can also opt for a partial fast by avoiding food made of rice.
• Do not eat food made from rice on Ekadashi.
  
• Strictly avoid eating rice and grains, honey, meat and eating on a bell metal plate. Do not apply oil on the day.
• Those taking partial fast can consume fruits and milk.

What food can be eaten on Ekadasi for those observing partial fast?)

Ekadasi, or Ekadashi, is an important Upvaas (fast) dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Millions of Hindu devotees observe Ekadasi, which is considered highly auspicious by Lord Vishnu devotees. The traditional approach is to abstain from food completely on the day. But nowadays a complete fast is not possible for many people. Such people consume certain food items on the Ekadasi day and observe only a partial fast.

It is believed that demon Mura found a dwelling place in the rice and Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Ekadasi to annihilate Mura. Therefore devotees who fast on the Ekadashi day avoid food made from grains.

Many devotees due to several reasons – like health and job commitments – observe partial fast on the day. Such people avoid non-vegetarian and food items made from beans, pulses and grains, especially rice. The most preferred Ekadasi fasting food in western parts of India is Sabudana Khichadi with potatoes and ground nut - but no onion and garlic.

The food that can be consumed on the Ekadasi day includes fresh and dried fruits, milk products, vegetables and nuts.

As the list of Ekadasi food expands there will be new issues cropping up like – Are you sure this can be consumed on Ekadasi?

So the golden rule is avoid pulses and grains on Ekadasi.

Drink lots of water and eat fresh and dried fruits.

In Hinduism, Upvaas is meant to bring a person close to Brahman. So forget about the rules and regulations and what you are going to gain from the Ekadashi fast. Spend the day in purifying the mind and body.

Afternoon

Take bath and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu

Evening Prayers

• Take a bath in the evening.
• Repeat the morning puja to Vishnu
• Visit Vishnu temple and witness the evening puja and rituals.

Prayers for Ekadashi

• Vishnu Ashotharam
• Vishnu Sahasranamam
• Simple Chanting of – Om Namo Narayana
• Or any prayers dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Sri Krishna
  

No Sleep of Keeping Vigil at Night

Staunch devotees who observe Vaikunta Ekadasi fasting do not sleep on the day. They spend the whole night at Vishnu temples or by singing prayers or listening stories dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

But those devotees who have health problems sleep at night. Those people who work, take rest at night and avoid keeping vigil at night

The fast is broken on the next day (Dwadashi) after taking bath. Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu by lighting a lamp and then you can break the fast.

Ekadasi Recipes:~

NOTES: Check the label of the white choc to see that there are no grains, cocoa, E 410, E 412, 410, 412 etc ~ Check hing to make sure it is free from wheat and rice flour - get the pure resin hing and grate it to fine powder.

Paneer Mazedaar
Rich and creamy -- a reward for fasting !

Ingredients:
- 500 gms Paneer, cubed
- 3 tbsp Singhare ka atta (waterchestnut flour)
- 2 tbsp Magaz (melon seeds)
- 2 tsp Sendha namak (rock salt)
- 1 tsp Chilli powder
- 2 tsp Zeera (cumin seeds), roasted, powdered
- 2 tsp Dhania (coriander), powdered
- 2 tbsp Ghee (clarified)
- 1 tbsp (or to taste) Green chillies, chopped
- 2 tbsp Hara dhania (green coriander), chopped
- ¼ cup (60 gms) Malai (fresh cream)

Mix together paneer, atta, magaz, namak, chilli powder, dhnia powder, well enough to coat the paneer.

Heat the ghee, add green chillies and ginger to it. Sauté till slightly coloured, then add paneer mix.

When the paneer is light brown, add enough water to cover the paneer and bring to a boil. Leave to simmer for 3-4 minutes, until well blended.

Add malai and half of the hara dhania and heat through. Serve hot, garnished with the remaining dhania.

Sabunada Khichdi

Ingredients:
2 cups sago (sabudana)
1 cup roasted, coarsely pounded peanuts
1 tsp. cumin seeds
6 green chilies
4 tbs. ghee
1/2 lemon finely chopped
fresh coriander for garnishing
1/2 cup freshly scraped coconut

What you do:
Wash sago, drain and set aside for one hour. Heat ghee. Add cumin seeds. Then add green chilies, letting it fry briefly. Mix in sago, peanuts, salt and sugar to taste. Keep covered and cook on slow flame for 5-10 minutes. You can add small cubes of boiled or fried potatoes. Garnish with coconut and coriander leaves. Serve hot.

Curried Vegetables - South Indian style -Avial -

Ingredients
Vegetables - Carrots, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Eggplant .
Coconut 1 cup
Green chillies 8
Red chillies 2
Cumin seeds 1 t.spoon
Tamarind paste 1/4 t.spoon
Salt 1 t.spoon (or to taste)
Coconut oil 2 t.spoon
Yogurt 1/2 cup
Curry leaves a few

Method
Chop all the vegetables evenly, and cook it with little water.
Add turmeric and salt to this.
Grind coconut, green chillies, red chillies, cumin seeds, and tamarind paste finely in yogurt.
Add the ground masala to the cooked vegetables, and let it cook until the flavour comes out.
Garnish with curry leaves and coconut oil.

Spinach

Ingredients:
For a serving size of 4-5
2 packets frozen spinach, thawed
1" cube of ginger, finely diced
3 Shukhno lonka (dry red chilli)
Dash of Hing (Asafoetida)
Potatoes - about 4 medium-large ones
Kasoori Methi (Dried fenugreek leaves)
Mouri/Saunf (Fennel seeds)
Salt to taste

Method:
Cut the potatoes into small pieces, and then either lightly boil them or microwave them for
about 8 min. Heat oil, preferably in a wok or kAdAi. To the hot oil, add ginger, hing, and
fennel seeds. Add the spinach, and fry on a high flame. After about 5 min of frying, add
salt, the dried chillies, and the potatoes. Mix evenly, and add the kasoori methi - then fry
for a few minutes. At this point, you might add a little water if you so desire. Serve hot.

White Chocolate Pistachio Truffles

These delicious creamy white chocolate truffles will testify that nothing is as nice as home-made chocolates.
(NOTE: check the label of the white choc to see that there are no grains, cocoa, E 410, E 412, 410, 412 etc)

Cooking Time : 5 mins.
Preparation Time : 10 mins.

Makes 30 truffles.

Ingredients
For the white chocolate truffle
1 cup (125 grams) white chocolate, chopped
1/3 cup fresh cream
a few drops coconut essence

To be mixed into a topping
3 tablespoons coarsely powdered pistachios
3 tablespoons desiccated coconut

Method
For the white chocolate truffle
1.Heat the cream in a broad pan and bring it to a boil.
2.Remove from the fire and add the white chocolate and coconut essence. Mix well to get a smooth mixture.
3.Refrigerate until firm.

How to proceed
1.Divide the white chocolate truffle into 30 equal portions.
2.Shape into even sized rounds.
3.Evenly coat the pistachio and coconut topping on the truffles by rolling them in the topping mixture.
4.Refrigertate until firm.
5. Serve chilled


Sago Jalebi

Ingredients:
Sago (Soaked in Water)-1 cup
Potatoes (Boiled & Mashed)- 1 cup
Maida- 3/4 cup (use kutu atta or waterchestnut flour - Singhare ka atta)
Besan- 1 Tablespoonful (banana flour or arrow root flour)
Ghee- 2 cup
Sugar- 1 cup
Water- 1 cup
Saffron & Saffron colour- little amount.
Almond & Pista (in pieces)- 5-6 pieces of each.

Method:

Mix soaked Sachamoti Sago & boiled meshed potatoes in a mixer well. Add, Maida & Besan in it. Add some water & prepare liquid mixture. Now, in a shallow frying pan, put some Ghee & heat it. Put the liquid mixture in pikari (an instrument to make jalebi) & make jalebi in light heat. After preparing jalebi, put these in Chasni (a hot mixture of water & sugar). Mix some saffron colour & put some cardamon powder in the Chasni as per your taste. Serve hot with putting some Pista/ Badam pieces on it. You can decorate jalebi with silver foils.

!!!! ~ Okay so there's a good start ~ !!!!
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