Today is Maha Shivratri – the time of year when followers of Lord Shiva make every effort to win the blessings of the almighty. On this day, worshippers pour milk and water on the Shiva linga during the auspicious hours of the day. Throughout India, Shiva Ratri is celebrated with great fervor, from adorning the place of worship to giving out delectable “prasad” (offerings). How about trying some milk-based food and sweets to offer to Lord Shiva?
On Shivaratri, various sweet treats are brought to Lord Shiva as a “bhog”, which are then shared and eaten as “prasad”. It is a very interesting fact that “milk” is the common ingredient in all of these delicacies. To make your Shivaratri observance healthy and tasty, let us share the recipes of some milk-based delicacies popular in the festival.
Kheer (Sweet Rice Pudding)
Each and every Indian event would not be complete without kheer. made with dry fruits, nuts, and cooked milk, cream, and sugar or jaggery. This recipe is regarded as devout and is said to be the food of God. Just wash and soak the rice to prepare this simple meal. While waiting, bring milk to a boil, add the rice, and stir continuously. Then incorporate sugar, cardamom powder, almonds, and dry fruits along with the malai (cream).
Coconut Rose Laddoo
This sweet delicacy is made with condensed milk, dried rose petals, dry fruits, and nuts in addition to grated coconut. This straightforward but tasty laddoo is the ideal sweet treat to serve as a bhog. The laddoo recipe has a fragrant touch from the inclusion of rose petals.
Sabudana Kheer (Sweet Sago Pudding)
Without sabudana (sago) kheer, a sattvik meal is incomplete. Wash and soak the sabudana for the entire night to prepare this milk-based food. Next, heat the milk while stirring. Add the sugar, dry fruits, and nuts once the milk has begun to reduce. Your kheer will taste better as a result of this.
Rabri (Sweet Porridge)
A traditional sweet dish called rabri is made by simmering milk with sugar, dry fruits, and spices like cardamom and saffron. A handcrafted malpua or jalebi is offered with this fragrant and creamy milk dessert.
Dudhi Halwa (Bottle Gourd Pudding)
Simply grate the bottle gourd (lauki) and simmer it with some milk and sugar until it becomes thick. Then, add some khoya or condensed milk, dry fruits, and nuts. This sweet recipe is both nutritious and delicious because it uses shredded bottle gourd.
Milk plays a significant role in the observance of Shivaratri. It is offered to Mahadev (Shiva) as a token of faith and unending belief in his blessings. Additionally, milk is the basic and most important ingredient of many delicious recipes that holds a customary and cultural significance for the day.
However, milk is surely an integral part of our daily diet. We can never undervalue its goodness and nutrient-rich composition that contributes to our health and well-being.
