Diwali is the festival of lights and probably the most loved Hindu festival of today. It is celebrated by giving presents and sweets as well as lighting small oil lamps called "Diyas." The lighting of the lamps symbolizes the lifting of spiritual darkness, and is also seen as a renewal of life. New lamps are said to help guide the deceased to heaven. This display of lights is to commemorate the return of the Hindu god Rama, prayers are also sent out to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity. Diwali is held for five days after Dussehra, on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Asvir which is otherwise known as October and November. Most of the festival highlights are held at night when people light their diyas and celebrate in the streets. Diwali originally came from India but is now celebrated throughout the world. Every one has a wonderful time at the Diwali festival happy times are remembered and sad times are forgotten.
STAR
LAMP
You will need:
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| This is what your
2D star
should look like. |
When you have glued your "left-overs" on your star, this is what you should end up with. | When you have finished your star should be looking a bit like this. |
Lakshmi: She is the goddess prosperity, purity, chastity and generosity and also the wife of lord Vishnu. Her four hands represent four spiritual virtues. She sits on a blossomed lotus, a seat of divine truth. Her personal charm is considered par excellence. An aura of divine happiness, mental and spiritual satisfaction, and prosperity always exist around her.Rama: Prince Rama was the eldest of four sons and was to become king when his father retired from ruling. However his stepmother wanted her son Bharata, Rama's younger brother to inherit the throne. She remembered that the king had once told her that he would grant her two wishes she desired. The king had to keep his promise so Rama was banished and Bharata was proclaimed king. When Rama's wife Sita heard Rama was to be banished she begged to accompany him to his forest retreat. When Bharata discovered what his mother had done he sought Rama in the forest. He pleaded his brother to come back and rule the kingdom but Rama refused so Bharata took his brother's sandals and placed them on the throne as a symbol of Rama's authority.
BALUSHAI
Ingredients:Method:500 gms white flour 1 pinch baking soda 1/2 tsp. baking powder 200 gms thick fresh yoghurt or curd 500 gms sugar ghee for deep frying Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda through a sieve. Keep aside in a bowl, cream the yoghurt and 100gms of the sugar. Gently and lightly, knead in the flour mixture to the yoghurt mixture. Do not do it vigorously. Put the dough aside for an hour and allow it to rise. Make a sugar syrup using the rest of the sugar in 6 cups water. boil it till it has a two string consistency. knead dough lightly once again. Divide it into small 3 inch diameter balls. flatten the balls by pressing lightly. Make a depression in the centre with your thumb. In a karhai or wok, heat the ghee, for deep frying. lower the heat and deep fry the dough cakes or balushais as you fry .They will puff out and almost double in size. Fry them till they are a light biscuit colour. Remove them one by one, with a slotted spoon Drain off the extra ghee by holding the spoon against the rim of the karhai. Slip the balushais into the sugar syrup or chaasni. When well soaked, remove and keep aside to cool. As they cool they will have a thin sugar -coat on each balushai.
This is the raw dough formed into rings. Cooking the Balushai. Dipping the Balushai in the syrup.
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Our group would like to say thank you to Mrs. O'Brien and Ms. Weston for putting aside their valuable time to help us. Here are the sites we found most helpful:
