Gokulashtami

"Hinduism" was a word coined by the Western invaders, to the collective practices of people living beyond the Indus river.  In due course, it came to represent an entire religion, known as much for its diversity as its commonness. Hinduism encompasses a wide range of practices, rituals, beliefs and Gods.  The Murugan of the South is as much a Hindu God, however unknown He is in the North, as is Santhoshi Ma, in reverse.  Beyond and above the diversity of the religion, two deities stand common - Lord Rama and Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna, is the more colourful of the two.  He is perceived in various, sometimes contradictory, forms.  A baby, a mischievous child,  a handsome lover, a steadfast friend, the ultimate Guru, a just king and of course, God Almighty.  While Rama's birthday is celebrated with simple, cooling food, Krishna's ("Janmashtami", "Gokulashtami", "Sri Jayanthi", "Krishna Jayanthi") is associated with rich, delicious, goodies.  The origin of the association is not clear, for, in religious literature, Krishna is seen with only three food items, none of which involve complicated recipes - Butter, which He stole in plenty as a kid, the lone spinach leaf from Draupati's Akshayapatram that filled His stomach, and therefore that of the entire Universe, and the handful of poha given to Him with love by his childhood friend, Kusela, in return for which He granted Kusela the wealth of the three worlds.

Yet, on His birthday, we make complicated sweetmeats, delicious, but complicated.  In days of yore, when the joint family was in vogue, Srijayanthi snack making would commence a week ahead and barrels of seedai, murukku, vella seedai and what not would fill the pantry shelf. Perhaps the lashing rains of the monsoon that characterizes the period precluded other activities.  Now, in the era of nuclear families and the working woman, the more ambitious of us, make one or two snacks at home and call it Srijayanthi.

For the rest of us, there is always Grand Sweets.

Sarvadharman Parityajya Mam Ekam Saranam Vraja

("Mam Ekam", not referring to Grandsweets here, however apt !)

Gokulashtami recipes from Gayathri, follow.  Stay tuned.
Update: Uppu Seedai, vella seedai, aval payasam recipes posted.