Bahai Temple,Chicago

On last Sunday,We immediately planned to go to Bahai House of Worship.Actually we don't know much about the Bahai faith.When we reach there ,i got astonished by its great architecture from outside.

                                                                                                                                                                    

I thought there will be idols for worshipping ,but inside it was just a prayer hall with out any idols or lamps. It looked like a meditation hall. It was so large and tall. If you look up, you can see the center of the dome. There were lot of good inspiration quotes written on the walls. I checked again.. Ya, I am right. There was no idols.

Then i got keen interest to know about Bahai Faith. I enquired more about it from the visiting center.

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      Bahai Faith-:"A religion of Unity".The faith founder was Baha ullah(persian).Baha ullah claimed to be an independent messenger from god.His life,work,and influence parallel to that of Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Christ and Muhammad.

We can see symbols of many religions on the pillar of Bahai House of Worship. See the picture below.

It was surprising that i came to know that there is a Bahai house of worship in India too.

There are seven Bahai temples in world, in which each temple has its own distinctive design,they all conform to a consistent theme : an area of gardens encircles a nine sided structure covered by a single dome.(symbolizing the unity of all people and religions under God)

Anyway it was a nice trip.. I got an opportunity to view a marvelous architecture and learn about a new religion.

Wheeling FireWorks-2009

Kanava(Calamari/Koonthal) Ulathiyathu

Ingredients

• 
  
  
  
  squid-1kg
• green chillies-4 or 6
• curry leaves- 3 sprigs
• onion chopped-2 nos
• shallots-6
• chilli powder-1 tsp
• turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
• garlic-3 nos
• cloves-3 nos
• cinnamon-1 stick
• coconut bits-1/2 cup
• dry chilly flakes-1/2 tsp
• kukumstar(kudampulli)-1
• cooking oil &salt(as required)

 Method

 Add the squid(slices) in a medium size pan.No water is required during cooking,because water will come from the squid itself.In low heat place a kukum star in the middle of the squid.After 10 minute add chilli powder,turmeric powder and salt!!saute it well!!After few minutes add garlic,cloves,cinnamon!!Add pepper also!!Saute it well!!Then add curry leaves and green chillies.Cook well.when it is cooked add coconut bits and chopped onions!!
In another pan heat oil, and saute shallots,redchilli flake and curry leves!!
Add this to squid curry and add little coconut oil above the curry!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Parippu Vada

Ingredients

• 2 cups thuvar dal or yellow split peas
• 3 or 4 hot green chilies, finely chopped (less for milder taste)
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 onion thinly chopped
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• A few sprigs of curry leaves
• 6 cups vegetable, canola or corn oil for deep-frying

 Method

Soak thuvar dal in water for 3 to 4 hours and then drain in a colander
Take thesoaked thuvar dal and grind coarsely. Since the dal absorbs water during soaking, there is no need to add extra water when processing.The ground mixture should be very thick so that it can be shaped into small discs.
Remove from the processor, sprinkle chopped green chilies, onion, grated ginger, cilantro leaves and curry leaves and mix well.
Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan or wok to 350° F.
When the oil is hot, wet the palms of your hand and shape about two tablespoons of the dal mixture into a 1 1/2 to 2 inch round disc. Slide the vada gently into the hot oil. Repeat with the remaining mix. Fry vadas for approximately 10 minutes in low flame till they turn golden brown and crisp.
Remove from the oil and drain.
Serve hot with tea.
Parippu vada tastes great by itself or it may be served with coconut chutney and / or sambar



 

 

 

St.Patrick Day Celebration in Chicago

Onam-2009

ഓണത്തെ കുറിച്ച് ഓര്‍ക്കുമ്പോള്‍ പൂക്കളവും,ഓണകോടിയും ,സദ്യയും,നെട്ടൂര്‍(അമ്മ വീട്) പോകുന്നതും എല്ലാം ആണ് ഓര്‍മയില്‍


.പൂക്കളം ഇടാന്‍ ചക്കിയും ഉണ്ടാവും …..ഓണത്തപ്പനെ വരവേല്‍ക്കാന്‍ അമ്മയാണ് മുന്നില്‍(സത്യം പറഞ്ഞാല്‍ “ആര്‍പ്പോ” വിളിക്കാന്‍ എനിക്ക് ചമ്മലായിരുന്നു . കോളേജിലെ ഓണഘോഷവും മറക്കാന്‍ പറ്റില്ല.

കല്യാണം കഴിഞ്ഞു സമാധാനത്തോടെ ഓണം ആഘോഷിക്കമാലോ എന്ന് കരുതി.പക്ഷെ അമേരിക്കയില്‍ ഓണത്തിന് പൊതുഅവധി ഇല്ലല്ലോ x-( !!!എന്നാല്‍ പോട്ടെ തിരക്കിന്റെ ഇടയില്‍ എങ്കിലും ഓണം ആഘോഷിക്കാം എന്ന് വിചാരിച്ചപോള്‍ ആണ് ദിപുഏട്ടന്‍ “പ്രൊജക്റ്റ്‌ റിലീസ്” എന്ന ഭീകരനെ കുറിച്ച് പറഞ്ഞത്

.കേരളം -ദൈവത്തിന്റെ സ്വന്തം നാട് എന്ന് പറയുന്നത് എത്ര ശരിയാണ്.എത്ര അവധികളാണ് .

എന്നാലും തിരക്കിന്റെയും നാട്ടിലെ ഓണസ്മൃതികളുടെ ഇടയിലും ഞങ്ങള്‍ ഓണം ആഘോഷിച്ചു.

”‘ അന്നാര കണ്ണന് തന്നാലായത്”