Nearly every household in India will be eating kali and kootu today for lunch. It took me a lot of digging around to find what exactly the significance of Kali and Kootu is. When found the sweet anecdote, I couldn't resist sharing it!! So heres a story to go with your lunch today ;)
Cedanar of Naukoor, a disciple of Paddinattu Adigal, used to eat only after feeding Saiva devotees.
Due to a constant bad weather, a bit like what we have now (yay snow :( ), he could not get together all the essentials for a proper meal. Thus, he had no option but to mix water with flour and prepare a mashed paste.
Lord Siva understood his predicament. He wanted the people to know how sincere Cedanar's devotion was, thus, he disguised himself as a Siva devotee,visited Cendanar’s hut and enjoyed what was given to him as food.
The following morning, temple attendants saw the premises scattered with the mashed paste. Lord Shiva had eaten the prasadam and it had created a mess within the temple. Inquiries led to an understanding of Cendanar’s piety and he was thereafter bestowed with all due respect.
This incident took place in a Margazhi (January) Thiruvathirai. This is why Thiruvathirai Kali forms an important prasadam on this holy day.
As for the kootu, I couldn't find anything of historical significance. However, my mother's explanation was that there needs to be a balance. Too much sweet would cause a stomach ache thus balancing it with vegetables and protien in a savory dish would help the meal digest better.
Either way, its surely a delicious celebration! :P Happy Eating!!!
Cedanar of Naukoor, a disciple of Paddinattu Adigal, used to eat only after feeding Saiva devotees.
Due to a constant bad weather, a bit like what we have now (yay snow :( ), he could not get together all the essentials for a proper meal. Thus, he had no option but to mix water with flour and prepare a mashed paste.
Lord Siva understood his predicament. He wanted the people to know how sincere Cedanar's devotion was, thus, he disguised himself as a Siva devotee,visited Cendanar’s hut and enjoyed what was given to him as food.
The following morning, temple attendants saw the premises scattered with the mashed paste. Lord Shiva had eaten the prasadam and it had created a mess within the temple. Inquiries led to an understanding of Cendanar’s piety and he was thereafter bestowed with all due respect.
This incident took place in a Margazhi (January) Thiruvathirai. This is why Thiruvathirai Kali forms an important prasadam on this holy day.
As for the kootu, I couldn't find anything of historical significance. However, my mother's explanation was that there needs to be a balance. Too much sweet would cause a stomach ache thus balancing it with vegetables and protien in a savory dish would help the meal digest better.
Either way, its surely a delicious celebration! :P Happy Eating!!!
