Dodhikarma - Traditional Breakfast Cereal

Sweet Poha Polao for Saraswati Puja

Dodhikarma - Yammm

Dodhikarma for Saraswati Puja

By Barnali Dutta, published by Prasadam: January 29, 2015

Saraswati puja is never complete without the traditional helping of the special sweet mixture offering known as Dodhikarma that is offered to the Goddess in the morning on the day of immersion. The ingredients which comprises of sweet curd, popped rice, dairy sweets and ripe banana are offered while the priest performs the rituals of worship afterwords these ingredients are mixed together to prepare the delicious 'Dodhikarma', which is then offered as Prasad of the puja.

In Bengal Saraswati puja is the occasion of the youngsters or the students. It is the occasion where we are first tested of our event management skills, where we first get to communicate our ideas and express ourselves to the society. From the age of 14 till 24 and perhaps even longer for energetic social networkers, the call of the cuckkoo that marks the start of the puja day till the cold sensation on ones palm on recieving the dodhikarma the entire duration holds a special place in our heart and is awaited eagerly every year.

There is a special relation that Bengal enjoys with curd.

Dodhikarma - puja prasad

Dodhimangal - marraige ritual

Dodhichira - Chaitanya Danda Mahotsav

I am a believer in low fat breakfasts on working days and a bit of curd at the end of it for a fit and cool headed day. The curd helps in keeping the digestive track free of strenous gases thus relieving us of any discomfort that might hamper our activities throught the day. As the sayings of our forefathers go such breakfasts used to keep us calm and stable in simpler times. The tradition of applying curd tilaks on the forehead after having a spoonfull on auspicious days might have risen owing to this property of the curd.

4.5 stars based on 55 reviews Serving size: 1 tbsp | Calories per serving: 100

Prep time: 10 min | Cook time: 5 minutes | Total time: 15 min | Yield: 2 tbsp

Ingredients:

Popped rice: 2 cups,
Ripe banana, mashed: 1/4 cup
Fresh cottage cheese sweets: 1/4 cup
Sweet popped rice: 1/4 cup [optional]
Shredded coconut: 1/4 cup [optional]
Sweet curd: 1/4 cup
Sweet basil leaves: 4
Honey: 2 tsp
Salt: one pinch
Diced seasonal fruits or dry fruits, [optional]: 1/2

Directions:

Mix popped rice [khoi খই], sweet popped rice [murki মুড়কি] optional, fresh Bengali sweet [sandesh], sweet curd [mishti doi], sweet basil leaves, ripe banana, coconut [optional] honey, one pinch salt and serve.

Traditionally, you can add parched rice or puffed rice [muri মুড়ি] and washed beaten rice [chira চিড়া] with it. You can add seasonal fruits, sugar and honey for puja offering. This easy to make Bengali breakfast cereal recipe can challange any breakfast cereal bowl by its taste and healthy nutritious value.