Parcel From India

First Parcel From India – Full Of Mithai (Sweets) and Namkeen (Snacks) 

After so many years, we received first parcel from India all full with Sweets and Namkeen. Couldn’t control my excitement so thought of sharing it with my blog friends. Here are few pictures to share. From receiving of the parcel to ripping it off.

Parcel From India

 

Mathri

 

Kachori

 

Dal Mooth

 

Farari Namkeen

 

Mithai

 

Mithai

 

After Ripping of the parcel

 

 

Rakhi / Rakshabandhan

Rakhi / Rakshabandhan / Rakhi Purnima is one of the Indian Hindu festival that falls on full moon day (Poornima) during month of Shravan based on the Hindu calendar (month of July/August). This festival is celebration of bonding between brother, sister and cousins. In India brother-sister bonding is known as one of the pure relationship “Pavitra Rishta”. This festival is celebration of bond of protection known as “Rakhsha Bandhan”.

Ceremony starts with sisters pray for their brothers to have happy, long life and success by performing the Tika ceremony and do Aarti vows. And then sister will tie a “Rakhi – decorative sacred thread” or red thread to their brothers wrist on this auspicious day almost every year. This symbolizes the sisters love and prayers for their brothers well-being and their lifelong vow to protect her.

In return Brother will gift their sister by presenting some money or gift voucher in a decorative envelope or they gift Sari or some form of gift that will make sister happy. At last Brother/Sister feed each other homemade or market brought sweets to each other and younger one takes blessings from elder one.

The whole ceremony signifies the duty of a brother to protect his sister, as well as a sister’s blessings for her brother. This festival is not only celebrated between siblings but with first cousins or adopted brothers known as “munh bola bhai” as well. Some girls even tie Rakhi to Lord Ganesha or Lord Krishna for their family well-being and success.

All sentiments afloat in the atmosphere me sitting with puja thali in hand and my brother with his hand stretched forward waiting for his band of love “Rakhi” to be tied to his wrists. Happy Rakhi / Happy Rakshabandhan! I am lucky enough to have lovely, cute, helpful younger brother whom I love and trust him unconditionally. We share a different type of bond relationship with each other we are good friends, we fight, we laugh, we worry, and we hate and care for each other so much that we can’t live apart from each other for few days. Especially me, I am very possessive about him. I am always worried about him even though he is now all grown up I sometime act like a mom and bug him for e.g. if he doesn’t show up at home before 9pm, I will call or SMS to check on him and will do that until he replies back saying I am all good Di. Sometime I frustrate him so much by asking and checking on him regularly what he is up to. But I guess I can’t control my emotion and worries for him.

We celebrate this festival every year. I tie Rakhi to my brother and send rakhi to my cousins by mail or email and tie Rakhi to Lord Ganesha. Couple of days before Rakhi I visit market for Rakhi selection. Here in US we get very selective design but back in India every stall and stores will have Rakhi hanging out with variety of sizes, designs and decorations. I always end up buying multiple ones.

On this very special day my brother wants me to prepare special meal for him every year.

–          Appetizer – Kanda Bhaji/ Pakora / Mirch Pakoda

–          Main Course – Puri/Poori and Sukhi Aaloo Sabji ( Sukha Aaloo / Suku  Batata /Bateta Nu Shaak)

–          Dessert – Basundi

Please find recipes at Recipe Jar Section of my blog.

Rakshabandhan Message (Source : Google Image)

Rakhi Pooja Thali

Food Feast (Puri, Aloo Sabji , Basundi , Boondi Raita)

Rakhi Stalls In India (Source : Google Image)