Holi

Holi is celebrated in the month of Phalguna, on Pournima day. The Puranas say that on this day
1] Shiva is supposed to have opened his third eye and burnt the god of love KAMA.
2] Prahalada killed the demoness Holika, who was sent to kill Prahalada.
3] Sri Krishna sucked the life of Puthana....

This day is celebrated for the victory of Good over Evil. In the North this day is spent with colors and colored water and color powder called gulaal is thrown over each other. In South India, this festival is celebrated with puja and festival food. The main dish being Puran poli or Holige, a kind of sweet parathas. If there are small children in the house, they are garlanded with garlands made of sweets, sugar moulds and also be given new clothes.

Before the festival the house is cleaned and mango leaves thoran tied to the front door. Every member of the household has to have an oil bath and god / saligrama is worshipped . All members of the house worship god .
The menu usually is:- Khadi, Poli, Ambode, Koshambari -- Two kinds of Bhajis, Saar,
Kheer, and dahi.
PURANPOLI RECIPE:--- Ingredients:: Wheat flour/ Maida or a mixture of both ----Two cups. To this flour add a pinch of salt and a little haldhi powder and with water mi x into a stiff dough, put the dough in a bowl, .pour oil over it(about two ladles of oil) and cover and keep aside. This has to soak thus for at least 40 mins.
Next take 1 1/2 cups of chana dall and boil it in the pressure cooker for three / four whistles. After the dal is boiled, cool grind it with 11/2 cups of grated jaggery. Grind the dal and the jaggery together[ remove all excess water from the boiled dal] grind it well , and pour this mixture in a thick bottomed kadai and keep stirring till it is done.
Test to check if it is done:
1) It should start to leave the sides of the pan
2) If touched with a moist finger it should come clean, no sticking.
Make desired size balls of this puran and aside. Now from the soaked dough take enough dough to cover the ball of puran. Make a cup with the dough and put the puran in it and roll it.
Use rice flour to roll the polis [as for we do for alu parathas] If you cant roll it you may use an oiled leaf or foil and pat it thin and bake it on a griddle like for chappathis. Use the oil left over from the dough to bake on both sides . Serve with ghee or milk.

Shiva Rathri

Maha Shivarathri is celebrated in month of of MAGH.According to some, Shiva was born or created on this day.
Some say this was the day he swallowed the poison Hala Hala, which came out , while chuning the ocean by Devas and the Asuras. While one section say Shiva and parvathi were married on this day. All sections of people celebrate this day. Shivites fast the whole day and go to shive temples, and keep awake the night through recitng OM NAMAHA SHIVAYA and singing/ reciting Shiva stotras. For Madhawas it is a day of festival, they celebrate it by puja and feeding Bramins and Savashnis.Both Shiva and Parvathi are worshiped so they will bestow on us steadfastness , for which Parvathi is known for.In every birth of hers she has married only Shiva.
SRI SHIVA STOTHRA.
Prabo Shulapani Vibo Vishvanatha
Mahadeva Shhambo Mahesha Thri netra
Shiva kantha Shantha Sma raare Puraare
Thva dhanyo Varanyo Na Maane Na Ganya:

When to remember and whom

1} While taking a MEAL remember JANARDHANA.
2}While taking MEDICINE, remember VISHNU.
3}While SLEEPING, remember PADMANABHA.
4}When you get BAD or DISTURBING DREAMS, remember GOVINDHA.
5}When WANDERING,rememberVAMANA.
6}While in the MOUNTAINS, remember SRI RAMA.
7}In the MIDST OF WATER, remember VARAHA.
8}While TRAVELING, remember TRIVIKRAMA.
9}During a WAR, remember CHAKRADHARA.
10}AT the time of DANGER, remember MADHUSUDHANA.
11}During the LAST MOMENTS OF LIFE remember NARAYANA.
12}At ALL TIMES, remember MADHAVA.
KRISHNA has said that even if he forsakes vaikunta he will never forsake his BHAKTHAS.

stotras

- Srilakshmi Narasimha stotra.
Sri math-yonidhi Nikethana Chakrapane
Bhogendra Bhoga Maniranjitha Punyamurthe
Yogisha Shashvatha Sharanya Bhavabdhi Pothe
Laksminarasimha mama dhehi Karavalambam
-------------------------------------------------
Rama Stothra
Vaidehi Sahitham Suradhru mathale Hyame Maha mantape
Madye Pushpakamaasane Manima ye Virasane Sus thithim
Agre Vachayathi Prabanjanasuthe Muni byaha Param
Vyakya Antham Barathadhi bihi Ramam Bhaje