Uppu cheedai /Krishna Jayanthi

Uppu cheedai

Krishna Jayanthi

Krishna Jayanthi

A delicious snack made specially Golulaashtami and very easy to prepare if you have processed rice flour ready at home . For Neivediyam, you can soak raw rice , wash , drain well and spread on a cloth to dry .

Grind to a fine powder and sieve twice . Follow method given below .

Given below recipe for store bought flour . This method of using store flour is useful for making in bulk . For Neivediyam you can prepare with a small tumbler measurement.

Ingredients

1/2 cup rice flour ( store bought )

1 tsp udad dal flour ( also store bought )

big pinch of asafoetida powder

salt as needed

1. tbsp butter softened

1 tsp sesame seeds or cumin seeds

1 tsp roasted grated coconut

oil for deep frying.

Method

• Roast the rice flour on a low heat , till you see the flour looking light and steaming , remove , it shouldnt change colour ..( draw a line of kolam to check the texture .it should drop well in a straight line )

• Roast store bought udad dal flour also in same way ...if you use home made udad dal flour after roasting and powdering whole udad dal , sieve it well , and roast again lightly . ( yes the explosion will not happen if twice roasted esp udad dal flour )

• take a bowl , add the flours, add asafoetida powder, salt , sesame seeds , grated coconut , butter, and mix well with fingers till it becomes crumbly , dont add water now . let the dry flours mix well with butter, and slowly add just sprinkles of water till you get a smooth dough , ( not sticky ) , keep kneading dough , till very smooth and comes off the bowl without sticking . more you knead the dough will look very smooth keep oil for heating .

• start preparing the small seedai balls by pinching off small balls with finger , do not roll in between two palms , no need to give perfect round firm shape , ( another risk for explosion .)..,

• keep placing on a white cloth to dry a bit , better to allow to rest on a cotton cloth for at least 10 minutes before frying , do not shape to smooth round balls , as chances of exploding is likely . with one finger, just make small rough balls and allow these to rest on the cloth till oil is ready .

• Initially if you are worried about seedai exploding , just drop a few , in medium heat oil and stand apart to see , how they fry , keep turning them in oil , turning them frequently around in oil also will not result in explosion .

• .remove when they seem a little more darker , when the frying noise of the oil has become low and test by removing few , and tossing in the colander, they will sound like pebbles , that indicates it is done , also the seedai will become more crunchy when completely cooled , so dont get worried if you feel they seem chewy inside when yoou bite when still hot ....thats it !

• For beginners, take a small deep kadai, add very little oil for just few cheedai balls to sink in and deep fry on trial, if all goes well, continue ..( dont be afraid, if you have followed general tips, it will not explode ,

• also if you have time , pierce each cheedai with a needle , make pin pricks , to ensure safe frying and no exploding . it works .

TIPS

Make sure to use fresh flours
Dry roast without changing colour
Double sieve flours
Dry roast even the coconut, sesame seeds
Use butter for a tasty Cheedai
Crumble flour well before adding water
Add water in sprinkles to make a smooth firm dough
Shape the balls with : two fingers and thumb , keep prepared balls on cotton cloth , deep fry after 10 minutes .
Do not roll between palms
Let the Cheedai balls be rough
Beginners can fry few initially in very little oil and keep a strainer on top ready to cover in case they fly 😁

Watch the making from my youtube channel of the same and consider subscribing to my channel .

Yet another video from my youtube channel of the same done few years ago, it is the same recipe except i have increased the proportion .

recipes for Krishna Janmashtami from my Youtube channel

Krishna Jayanthi is the day that marks the birth of Lord Krishna, the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna was born on the 8th day(Ashtami) of the waning Moon Period (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Aavani or Shravana (Mid-Aug to Mid-Sep), when the ruling Nakshatra (star) of the day was Rohini. Lord Krishna was born during the Dwapara Yuga (third epoch) around 5000 years ago to destroy Adharma (iniquity) and impart righteousness in the world. The birth of Lord Krishna brought hope to humanity, which was suffering until then.

Other names of Krishna Jayanthi include:

• Janmashtami

• Gokulashtami

• Krishna Janmashtami

• Ashtami Rohini

• Sree Jayanthi

Lord Krishna was born at midnight when it was dark, and once he was born, darkness began to fade slowly. Here, darkness symbolizes the obscurity that engulfs your heart in fear, doubt, ego, angst, and anxiety. These darkness and negativity are vanquished upon praying to the Lord, thus purifying your inner self, and rays of everlasting hope flows in.

Lord Krishna is the God of love and happiness, known for his blessings for a blissful life. Worshipping Krishna on his birthday shall also bestow numerous benefits, including success in relationships and attainment of Moksha (liberation). It is said that Lord Krishna reciprocates the love and devotion offered by his devotees.

The mythology behind Krishna Jayanthi

Lord Krishna was born as the eighth son of Vasudev and Devaki. A divine voice told Devaki’s tyrant brother, King Kamsa, that the eighth son of his sister Devaki would kill him.

Hence, he jailed his sister and her husband and killed their seven children once they were born. When the eighth son was born, Vasudev secretly carried the baby to Gokul across the Yamuna River and exchanged him with a baby girl, born to a cowherd couple, Nanda and Yashodha. When Kamsa arrived to kill the infant, the baby girl appeared as Goddess Durga and informed him that his death had already reached his kingdom.

Lord Krishna grew up as a cow herder in Gokul and later killed King Kamsa, which denotes the destruction of evil forces by the divine Lord.

Rituals of Krishna Jayanthi

Krishna Jayanthi is marked and widely celebrated in different forms across the country. Grand celebrations are organized in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Orissa, and Uttar Pradesh. In Maharashtra, people celebrate Dahi Handi (Curd Pot) when people form a vast human pyramid to break open a hung earthen pot filled with buttermilk; the winners of the game are rewarded with worthy prizes. In Jammu, kite flying is held on this special day.

Generally, people keep fasting throughout the day and break their fast by offering special Poojas to Lord Krishna in the late evening after sunset. Various delicacies are presented to the beloved God, decorated with jewels and flower garlands. Parents enjoy the occasion by dressing up their little ones like baby Krishna.

In South India, little footprints made out of rice flour are drawn from the doorstep until the Pooja area, denoting the arrival of the Lord to their houses. Certain Vishnu temples also grace the occasion by reading verses from the sacred Vedic text – Bhagavad Gita.

Fasting on this auspicious day can help you control your senses, which in turn helps manifest God in one’s mind, cleanses your system, and acts as a divine tool to destroy your apprehensions and ego.

Benefits of Observing Krishna Jayanthi

Offering your prayers to Lord Krishna on Krishna Jayanthi can bestow the following benefits:

• It brings eternal blessings of Lord Krishna

• It provides us protection from all evil forces

• It grants prosperity, progeny, and success

• It removes all obstacles and imparts financial stability

• It eliminates your sins and suffering

In every states this festival is celebrated in different ways like Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting, singing, praying together, preparing and sharing special food, night vigils, and visiting Krishna or Vishnu temples. Major Krishna temples organize recitation of ‘'Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavad Gita. Many communities organize dance-drama events called Rasa Lila or Krishna Lila. People decorate their houses with flowers and light. On this day, People chant "Hare Krishna hare Krishna, Krishna- Krishna Hare Hare".

Krishna is the 8th Avatar of Lord Sri Krishna. Kashyapa and Aditi took birth as Vasudeva and Devaki in the Yadu clan due to the curse of the lord Varuna. Sons of samudra Raja became the Gopalas and all apsaras became gopikas. Lord Vishnu planned to take birth as the son of Devaki.

On the Shravana month, Ashtami titi Rohini nakshatra midnight Sri Krishna was born. At the same time, Nandagopa and Yashoda gave birth to Lord Yoga Maya. As per the instructions from the lord, Vasudeva swapped the babies. Sri Krishna’s life story is in the books such as Vishnu Purana, Harivamsha, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata.