It was here that education was imparted, matchmakers flourished, marriages were sanctified and so on. Hindu texts put heavy emphasis on eating the right kind of food since it is the main source of energy for the physical body and nourishment for the mind.KanikaIngredients1 katori rice1 tbsp moong dhuli dal2 katoris water ¾ katori sugar¼ tsp badi elaichi powder¼ tsp lavang powderA good pinch of jaiphal1 tbsp kishmishScant pinch camphor1/4 tsp dalchini powder¼ katori mixed nuts: almonds, walnuts and pista, roughly chopped2 tbsp gheeMethodPick and wash the rice and dal.Six ritu (the cycle of the seasons) is a valuable guide to the selection of ingredients and one cannot go wrong if we use what is a typical natural product of that season. It is served to the deities in temples as bhog and to the needy and poor as part of sewa (community service). An element of exotica is also added as the bhaav is to offer something special. Interestingly, some vegetables/fruits are available for only a very short time. Similarly, pure ghee made from cow’s milk is the preferred medium of cooking and if at all oil is used it is mustard oil and not the refined variant. Red hued vegetables like carrots and tomatoes are avoided because of their colour association with blood while cauliflower and red chilies are also ignored as being difficult for the delicate satvik digestive system.
Only later did individual homes light their own fires.The day is divided into aath prahar — eight (unequal) sections for the purpose of worship and bhog, with each temple following its own timeline.Black rice 1 katoriWater 6-7 katorisMethodPick, wash and soak the rice for half an hour. Thus, whatever we eat impacts the triple qualities of sattva, rajas and tamas which in turn impacts the balance of our minds and bodies.Drain well.Ras ki pakoriUnusual and exceptionally moreish, this is an example of seasonal kadhai ki sevaIngredientsSoft, ripe dussehri/kesar kairi mangoes 3Besan as required — about a katori and a halfBaking soda ½ tspZeera 1 tspPinch of hingPeppercorns, halved 6-7Ghee 3 tbspGhee to frySugar 1 katoriWater to make chashni ½ katoriBoora for dusting MethodPeel and pulp the mangoes.Now pour in 3 tbsp ghee and beat very well till the batter is light and fluffy. Practically speaking, why a certain fuel is used in combination with a certain metal vessel is because of the conduction factor. Clearly, nature intended their use at that specific moment in time. Special mantras are recited, flowers and incense create an ambience and bells tinkle along. Heat a tbsp of the remaining ghee and add ground masala, salt and enough water for a gravy consistency. Remove and mix with mishri till it dissolves. In many homes, a small portion of each meal is first served to the household deity before being consumed. There is an emphasis on fruits, milk and its by-products and nuts — often used innovatively.Mix in crushed baras, sendha namak and finely powdered elaichi. Repeat till all the pakoris are arranged. Additions were made to simple recipes in the bhog tradition to either richen or modify them. Food is an integral part of Indian culture and the great emphasis on food is apparent from the fact that it has often been called the ‘kitchen religion’.Bring to a boil and then lower the flame and add fried pottal. Pour into glasses without straining and serve. Bhog in that sense is holistic — taking care of bodily and intellectual needs and thereby spiritual growth.Rituals and ceremonies are followed not only in the process of cooking but also in the serving of bhog. While there are many general considerations concerning various aspects of bhog, some temples follow rituals that are unique to their sampraday (religious system or identity). It should be easy to digest, pure and subtle. Certain vegetables are completely taboo e. Serve chilled. A different raag accompanies the offering depending on the time of year and day. Thus, ingredients are used according to their suitability to the demands of the season, the colour palette, varying textures and tastes are also considered while choosing a menu. Then tip in the rice mix and when about 70 per cent done, topple in the sugar and spices and continue to cook on moderate heat till 95 per cent ready.According to the principals of Ayurveda, sattvic food promotes longevity, health purity, strength, happiness and cheerfulness, rajasic causes pain, grief and disease and tamsic promotes slothfulness, cruelty and evil nature.Heat the ghee and drop in little balls of the batter, frying till a lovely golden and crisp.IngredientsLeft over rice gruel (if it gets mildly sour, even better), 2 litres4 inch piece ambokuri ada (mango flavoured ginger, native to Orissa)Nimbu (lemon or lime) leaves, gently crushed to release the flavour, 5Santra (orange) leaves gently crushed to release the flavour, 5 Juice of two nimbus Juice of two santrasSantra, thinly sliced, 1Nimbus, thinly sliced, 2Samudri namak (sea salt), 2 tspCoarse paste of hari mirch (green chilli) and adrak (ginger), 2 tspFreshly roasted zeera, roughly crushed, 2 tspKala namak (rock salt), 1 tspMethodMix all the ingredients and chill.According to the Ayurveda, sattvic food promotes longevity, health purity, strength, happiness and cheerfulness, rajasic causes pain, grief and disease and tamsic promotes slothfulness, cruelty and evil nature. Temple kitchens however have been an exception and rituals of puja and ceremony, festivals and bhog have by and large remained as per the vidhi (method) laid down in the shastras (ancient texts). In many temples only the wood of a certain tree is used. It has extremely cooling properties and is a wonderful example of the use of local ingredients.To serve, place a layer of the ras ki pakoris on a tray and dust with boora. Drain well. Cook till soft, adding more water if required and drain the remaining water when done. Cook till pottal is tender but still has lachak (body). A flame from this yagya (sacred fire) is used to light the fire for preparing bhog.Serve immediately.PokharoAn immensely popular offering at the anand bazaar in Jagannath temple, Puri.Make a thin coatable chashni with the sugar and water and briefly dunk the golden balls into the chashni till just coated.