Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Delectable festivities

Delectable festivities






The festive season brings every kind of dessert you could want. Here's how to pick the healthiest one

It's that time of the year when every house, every room and even office desks are stacked with mithai boxes, chocolate hampers, sweet wraps and various dessert options. While it is a common practice to do away with your diet during festivals, there are many who believe in practising moderation. For people who wish to keep their health in check, chefs and bakers around the country suggest healthier variations of Diwali sweets.

Health vs taste

However much you may you try, you can't abstain from sweets during Diwali. But the idea is to have sweets, which are healthier versions of classic desserts. Homebased baker Salika Bali says, “Eliminat ing sugar doesn't work in classic recipes. That's where substitutes work. Sugar can be replaced with stevia, natural honey, brown sugar and maple syrup. Butter can be replaced with olive oil. There are even delicious offbeat desserts, which focus more on natural flavours of fresh ingredients. Examples include dark chocolate raspberry bean brownies, flourless lemon poppy seed muffins, flourless cranberry chocolate chip cookies, strawberry oatmeal quinoa bars and blueberry peach quinoa crumble.“

A healthier version is to prepare desserts with fruits. “For instance, instead of preparing flour and sugar jalebis, you can look at making apple and pineapple jalebis.Slice the fruits, lace them in batter, fry in ghee and give them a honey bath. Then sprinkle some chopped dry fruits on them. This is both, healthy and tasty,“ avers Rana Dominic Gomes, executive chef at a well-known hotel. Replace refined flour with whole wheat or millet flour, and white rice with brown rice. Once your ingredients are in order, focus on preparation. “Instead of deep-fried sweets, consume sweets that can be baked, steamed, boiled or shallow fried. It is always good to use natural, in-season ingredients for a healthy body,“ adds executive pastry chef Anil Kumar. If you choose the ingredients wisely, any dessert can be made healthy.

Rashi Chowdhary, nutritionist and owner of a bakery shop, avers, “Diwali desserts are usually loaded with milk, refined sugar and sometimes refined oil. All of these are inflammatory ingredients and can be replaced with healthy counterparts. If you are lactose intolerant, you can use coconut milk. The fat content in this is the best form of fat for your heart, appetite and metabolism. The flavour of coconut further complements the taste of Indian desserts.“

Stylish designs

Everyone wants to eat attractively presented desserts.“People are experimenting with western desserts for Diwali gifting. Other than just a platter of laddoos or barfis; diyas, lanterns and pataka-shaped cupcakes made of chocolate are in demand. Platters with Diwali motifs like chakri, anar, phuljhadi are also trending.Sweets shaped as diyas, kalash, shankh, and so on are `in' this festive season,“ says Chef Mohammed Akhtar.

Desserts for diabetics

From phirni to mousse, almost all desserts can be made with sugar-free substitutes. Erri Santosh Reddy, a pastry chef at a well-known hotel, says, “One can do a healthy Swiss carrot cake made with sugar-free substitutes without com promising on the texture and taste.

Muesli baked custard oat and sunflower mousse cake can be considered for dessert options. Healthy breads like three seed bread, oat bran bread are some healthy bakery products as well.“

“Instead of refined sugar, you can use raw honey or dates. These aren't as addictive as refined sugar and provide a whole lot of nutrients like potassium, iron etc. Most importantly, don't opt for fatfree dessert. Adding healthy fat in the form of coconut oil, desi ghee or butter is one way to ensure a slow and favourable rise in blood glucose levels.Without healthy quality fat, your sugar level rises too quickly followed by a quick dip, which leaves you craving more sugar.Refrain from using refined vegetable oils as their cheap processing methods make them toxic to consume,“ adds Chowdhary.

Healthy substitutes

Elements like almond flour, coconut oil, dates, nuts and other natural foods like avocados not only make desserts tasty, but also very healthy in terms of their nutritional value. Fat found in ghee, butter, coconut oil and avocado oil are all extremely good for your heart and hormones and can heal your metabolism.

“Bakers are moving towards gluten-free, low carb, eggless and light desserts.

Whole grain desserts are also becoming popu lar,“ adds chef Sanjana Pa tel. With the inclusion of sugar free and low calorie sup plements, which are almost as good as sugar these days, it has become relatively easy for bakers and patisseries to come out with desserts, which are healthy.Vikram Chanana, executive sous chef at a popular hotel, says, “A lot of fancy ingredients such as sugar free gelatin, vegetarian gelatin, flours from grains such as quinoa and millet, natural leavening agents and organic preservatives are being used these days to create desserts and other baked products. Ingredients such as quinoa flour, palm sugar, maple syrup, stevia, natural fruit purees, lentil flour, low fat milk and natural sweeteners play a much larger role in preparing various desserts.“

Desserts of the season

Pastry chef Radheika Mittal says that `luxe desserts' in terms of design and ingredients are trending. “These use the freshest and the best quality chocolates and are beautifully wrapped and presented. Fusion desserts like masala chai chocolate bon bon and ras malai tiramisu are varieties we are doing this Diwali,“ she says.


















Vastu tips for festive decor

Vastu tips for festive decor

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Welcome Goddess Laxmi by making your home compliant with the Vastu Shastra for good luck and prosperity . For divine energies and oppor tunities to enter your home, remove all of clutter before the festivities begin. Give away, sell or throw out all the useless items lying around the house, specially the living room since that is where you receive guests and interact with the world out side your family .

When you are conducting a puja, move the idols to the North East corner of the house.

All idols should preferably be in the sitting position. Keep Lord Ganesha to the left Goddess Laxmi and Saraswati on the right side of Goddess Laxmi. Ensure that the statues don't face each other or the door of the puja room. Set aside a clean piece of cloth for wiping the photos and idols.

Never use this cloth for any other purpose.

What's Diwali without diyas! However, count them up before using them to light up your home. Ideally , have exactly 9, 27, 108 or 1008 diyas. Use pure ghee for the diyas. Alternatively , you can use linseed or mustard oil.

They are good for the home's health and kill harmful insects.

The best spot for rangoli is the entrance of your home. Use tra ditional materials like sand or ground rice mixed with food colouring for positivity .

This Vastu tip works as a deco rative idea too. Fill a crystal bowl with water and flower petals and place five floating diyas on it. Use it as the centre piece of your table in the draw ing room.

BALANCE FEASTING WITH FASTING THIS DIWALI

BALANCE FEASTING WITH FASTING THIS DIWALI



Diwali is the time when families come together to celebrate. And no celebration is complete without sweets and fried farsan. It is advisable not to indulge in tonnes of sugarloaded mithais. Make a wise choice.Look for healthy options this year. Also, the food cooked during this festival is high in calories, so opt for dishes that aren't loaded with ghee or oil.
 
PREPARE HEALTHIER SWEETS
Sweets are hard to resist especially during Diwali when there are plenty on offer. But if you are conscious and don't want to pile on kilos, you can opt for healthy options. “Make the sweets at home. By doing this, you will get to know what is going into them. Opt for jaggery or honey instead of white sugar and oil instead of ghee. You can even make your own sweets using olive oil.Try not to use ghee or butter as saturated fat can lead to heart problems,“ says Sumona Ganguly , a nutritionist.
Using skimmed milk instead of full cream milk is a wise option. You could also opt for soya milk or cow's milk instead of the high fat buffalo milk.Soya milk is wholesome because it is high in protein and fibre and low in calories. Make healthy sweets at home by using dry fruits like dates, almonds, raisins, figs and walnuts. Do not use too many cashews and peanuts in your sweets as they are rich in calories.

GIFT THOUGHTFULLY
“If you love your family and friends, do not gift them chocolates and high calorie sweets. Instead, gift dry fruit and fresh fruit baskets. Buy an air frier, oven or tandoor this Diwali and learn how to roast, bake or air fry cutlets, pattice, potato chips or spring rolls instead of deep frying them,“ says nutritionist Sheela Tanna.
If you plan to present shrikhand to your friends, then make it at home. “Get the whole family together for the preparations. Use fat-free milk, dry fruits, and fresh fruits instead of lots of refined sugar or khoya to cut down on calories.You can't entertain guests during Diwali without offering them a platter of shev, chaklis, poha chivda, which are unfortunately fried. However, a healthy way out is to bake them. Instead of artificially sweetened cold drinks, opt for coconut water, fresh lime juice or buttermilk,“ adds Tanna.

HEALTHY TWIST TO DISHES
Diwali is that time of the year when you have the opportunity to indulge in good food. However, good food does not necessarily mean dishes rich in cream, ghee and cheese. Opt for almond paste which is a lot healthier and will give your Diwali dishes the perfect thick texture.
It is that time of the year when the weather is perfect for hot butter-laden parathas. For a twist, make stuffed parathas with a dash of olive oil or replace them with rotis made of whole wheat. When you are making pulao rice, add a lot of vegetables and dry fruits and cook it in very little olive oil instead of ghee or butter. Make the paneer at home in low-fat milk. Don't fry the paneer, grill it with special Indian spices like chilli, nutmeg, coriander powder and lemon juice with a little grated ginger and garlic paste. Why deep fry small eats and starters -which are served with drinks -when you can grill or bake them?
Brush them with a little olive oil before putting them on the grill.
For people who eat meat during Diwali, it is time to opt for healthy low cal meat preparations. Use lean meat without the fat and lard, and cook it in olive oil. Add spinach and tomato paste to your mutton curry . You could also marinate the meat in lots of curd so that it becomes tender and you don't need to cook it for too long.

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY DIWALI
  1. If you are keen on sweets, then cut down on the namkeens.
  2. Avoid feasting at dinner time.
  3. Make sure that you are drinking enough water because people forget to drink water when they are busy with all the celebrations around.
  4. Try to eat as much fruit and vegetables before and after Diwali. This should work as a kind of a detox.



Scrumptious Asian cuisine

Scrumptious Asian cuisine


Since the past four years China 1 has been serving delicious, authentic Chinese cuisine and are all set to reinvent their menu. The new menu offers healthy , nutritious and spirited delicacies from all over China. The ingredients used to cook the dishes are fresh and dedicated to the art of harmony of the five senses.The menu comprises a vast variety of exclusive vegetarian appetisers as well as the main course, which has a great selection of non-vegetarian dishes. The flavours are the highlight of the meals -each dish is indica tive of authentic food that you get to savour in China.

 Along with a new menu, China 1 has also unveiled a new lower deck where one can unwind over drinks with friends post work or party the night away with cocktails and starters. The lower deck is also appropriate for a small corporate event or a private party . The restaurant is open to arranging a DJ, florist or even a photographer for a private get-together. One can choose the menu from an exhaustive list of cocktails, mocktails and a full bar menu and tasty dishes.

Where: China 1, G-05, Ground Floor , Morya Landmark I, Plot No: B-25, Off New Link Road, Andheri (W)
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Call: 022 42723333, 022 42723308, 9029188773.


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Chanakya Niti


Read full blog चाणक्य के 15 सूक्ति वाक्य  '' चाणक्य नीति ''
1) “दूसरो की गलतियों से सीखो अपने ही ऊपर प्रयोग करके सीखने को तुम्हारी आयु कम पड़ेगी.”

2)”किसी भी व्यक्ति को बहुत ईमानदार (सीधा साधा ) नहीं होना चाहिए —सीधे वृक्ष और व्यक्ति पहले काटे जाते हैं.”

3)”अगर कोई सर्प जहरीला नहीं है तब भी उसे जहरीला दिखना चाहिए वैसे डंस भले ही न दो पर डंस दे सकने की क्षमता का दूसरों को अहसास करवाते रहना चाहिए. ”

4)”हर मित्रता के पीछे कोई स्वार्थ जरूर होताहै –यह कडुआ सच है.”

5)”कोई भी काम शुरू करने के पहले तीन सवाल अपने आपसे पूछो —मैं ऐसा क्यों करने जा रहा हूँ ? इसका क्या परिणाम होगा ? क्या मैं सफल रहूँगा ?”

6)”भय को नजदीक न आने दो अगर यह नजदीक आये इस पर हमला करदो यानी भय से भागो मत इसका सामना करो .”

7)”दुनिया की सबसे बड़ी ताकत पुरुष का विवेक और महिला की सुन्दरता है.”

8)”काम का निष्पादन करो , परिणाम से मत डरो.”

9)”सुगंध का प्रसार हवा के रुख का मोहताज़ होता है पर अच्छाई सभी दिशाओं में फैलती है.”

10)”ईश्वर चित्र में नहीं चरित्र में बसता है अपनी आत्मा को मंदिर बनाओ.”

11) “व्यक्ति अपने आचरण से महान होता है जन्म से नहीं.”

12) “ऐसे व्यक्ति जो आपके स्तर से ऊपर या नीचे के हैं उन्हें दोस्त न बनाओ,वह तुम्हारे कष्ट का कारण बनेगे. सामान स्तर के मित्र ही सुखदाई होते हैं .”

13) “अपने बच्चों को पहले पांच साल तक खूब प्यार करो. छः साल से पंद्रह साल तक कठोर अनुशासन और संस्कार दो .सोलह साल से उनके साथमित्रवत व्यवहारकरो.आपकी संतति ही आपकी सबसे अच्छी मित्र है.”

14) “अज्ञानी के लिए किताबें और अंधे के लिए दर्पण एक सामान उपयोगी है .”

15) “शिक्षा सबसे अच्छी मित्र है. शिक्षित व्यक्ति सदैव सम्मान पाता है. शिक्षा की शक्ति के आगे युवा शक्ति और सौंदर्य दोनों ही कमजोर है.

अतिरूपेण वै सीता अतिगर्वेणः रावणः ।अतिदानाब्दलिर्बध्दो ह्यति सर्वत्र वर्जयेत् ।।१२।।
आत्याधिक सुन्दरता के कारन सीताहरण हुआ, अत्यंत घमंड के कारन रावन का अंत हुआ, अत्यधिक दान देने के कारन राजा बाली को बंधन में बंधना पड़ा, अतः सर्वत्र अति को त्यागना चाहिए.

उद्योगे नास्ति दारिद्र्य जपतो नास्ति पातकम् ।मौनेनकलहोनास्ति नास्ति जागरितो भयम् ।।११।।
जो उद्यमशील हैं, वे गरीब नहीं हो सकते, जो हरदम भगवान को याद करते है उनहे पाप नहीं छू सकता.जो मौन रहते है वो झगड़ों मे नहीं पड़ते.जो जागृत रहते है वो निर्भय होते है.

त्यजेदेकं कुलस्यार्थे ग्रामस्यार्थे कुलं त्यजेत् ।ग्रामं जनपदस्यार्थे आत्मार्थे पृथिवीं त्यजेत् ।।१०।।
कुल की रक्षा के लिए एक सदस्य का बलिदान दें,गाव की रक्षा के लिए एक कुल का बलिदान दें, देश की रक्षा के लिए एक गाव का बलिदान दें, आत्मा की रक्षा के लिए देश का बलिदान दें.

कोकिलानां स्वरो रूपं नारीरूपं पतिव्रतम् ।विद्यारूपं कुरूपाणांक्षमा रूपं रपस्विनाम् ।।९।।
कोयल की सुन्दरता उसके गायन मे है. एक स्त्री की सुन्दरता उसके अपने परिवार के प्रति समर्पण मे है. एक बदसूरत आदमी की सुन्दरता उसके ज्ञान मे है तथा एक तपस्वी की सुन्दरता उसकी क्षमाशीलता मे है.

रूपयौवनसम्पन्ना विशालकुलसम्भवाः ।विद्याहीना न शोभन्ते निर्गन्धा इवकिशुकाः ।।८।।
रूप और यौवन से सम्पन्न तथा कुलीन परिवार में जन्म लेने पर भी विद्या हीन पुरुष पलाश के फूल के समान है जो सुन्दर तो है लेकिन खुशबु रहित है.

मूर्खस्तु परिहर्त्तव्यः प्रत्यक्षो द्विपदः पशुः ।भिद्यते वाक्यशूलेन अदृश्यं कण्टकं यथा ।।७।।
मूर्खो के साथ मित्रता नहीं रखनी चाहिए उन्हें त्याग देना ही उचित है, क्योंकि प्रत्यक्ष रूप से वे दो पैरों वाले पशु के सामान हैं,जो अपने धारदार वचनो से वैसे ही हदय को छलनी करता है जैसे अदृश्य काँटा शरीर में घुसकर छलनी करता है .

मूर्खस्तु परिहर्त्तव्यः प्रत्यक्षो द्विपदः पशुः ।भिद्यते वाक्यशूलेन अदृश्यं कण्टकं यथा ।।७।।
मूर्खो के साथ मित्रता नहीं रखनी चाहिए उन्हें त्याग देना ही उचित है, क्योंकि प्रत्यक्ष रूप से वे दो पैरों वाले पशु के सामान हैं,जो अपने धारदार वचनो से वैसे ही हदय को छलनी करता है जैसे अदृश्य काँटा शरीर में घुसकर छलनी करता है .

एदतर्थं कुलोनानां नृपाः कुर्वन्ति संग्रहम् ।आदिमध्यावसानेषु न स्यजन्ति च ते नृपम् ।।५।।
राजा लोग अपने आस पास अच्छे कुल के लोगो को इसलिए रखते है क्योंकि ऐसे लोग ना आरम्भ मे, ना बीच मे और ना ही अंत मे साथ छोड़कर जाते है.

दुर्जनस्य च सर्पस्य वरं सर्पो न दुर्जनः ।सर्पो दंशति काले तु दुर्जनस्तु पदे पदे ।।४।।
एक दुर्जन और एक सर्प मे यह अंतर है की साप तभी डंस मरेगा जब उसकी जान को खतरा हो लेकिन दुर्जन पग पग पर हानि पहुचने की कोशिश करेगा .

आचारः कुलमाख्याति देशमाख्याति भाषणम् ।सम्भ्रमः स्नेहमाख्यातिवपुराख्याति भोजनम् ।।२।।
मनुष्य के कुल की ख्याति उसके आचरण से होती है, मनुष्य के बोल चल से उसके देश की ख्याति बढ़ती है, मान सम्मान उसके प्रेम को बढ़ता है, एवं उसके शारीर का गठन उसे भोजन से बढ़ता है. 

कस्य दोषः कुलेनास्ति व्याधिना के न पीडितः ।व्यसनं के न संप्राप्तं कस्य सौख्यं निरन्तरम् ।।१।। 
दुनिया मे ऐसा किसका घर है जिस पर कोई कलंक नहीं, वह कौन है जो रोग और दुख से मुक्त है.सदा सुख किसको रहता है?

 

By these mantras you can solve your problems in hindi

इन मंत्रों से कर सकते हैं आप अपनी कई समस्याओं का उपाय

क्या ऐसा हो सकता है की किसी समस्या का हल हमें मंत्रों से मिल जाए? समाधान....
क्या ऐसा हो सकता है की किसी समस्या का हल हमें मंत्रों से मिल जाए? समाधान मंत्रों के पास अपना एक विज्ञान है, जो साउंड एनर्जी (ध्वनी ऊर्जा) की तरंगों पर आधारित है। मन को एकाग्र करके जप करेंगे तो पाएंगे की अभी प्रकार के असल में डर का नाश करके रक्षा करने वाले शब्दों को मंत्र कहते हैं। मंत्र में दो शब्द होते हैं मं अर्थात मन को एकाग्र करना, ‘त्र’ अर्थात त्राण यानि रक्षा करना। अतः जिस उच्चारण शब्द से फल मिलता है, उसे मंत्र कहते हैं। आइए जानें कौन से मंत्र से किस समस्या का निपटारा किया जा सकता है...
रामायण की चैपाई से लिए गए मंत्रों का श्रद्धा और विश्वास से जप करें, समस्याओं का निवारण होगा। ये ना केवल बोलने में आसान पर गाने में बेहद मीठी भी होती हैं।
रोजगार: बिस्वा भरण-पोषण कर जोई। ताकर नाम भरत अस होई।। गई बहोर गरीब नेवाजू सरल सबल साहिब रघुराजू।।
विपत्ति निवारण: जपहि नामु जन आरत भारी। मिटाई कुसंकट होहि सुखारी।।
परीक्षा में सफलता: जेहि पर कृपा करहि जनु जानी। कवि उर अजिर नचावहि बानी।। मोरि सुधारिहि सा सब भांति। जासु कृपा नहि कृपा अघाती।।
विद्या प्राप्ति : गुरु गृह गए पढ़न रघुराई। अल्प काल विद्या सब आई।। नवग्रह शांति मोहि अनुचर कर केतिक बाता। तेहि महं कुसमउ नाम विधाता।।
यात्रा में सफलता : प्रविसि नगर कीजे सब काजा। हृदय राखि कौसलपुर राजा।। परिवार सुख जबसे राम ब्याहि घर आए। नित नव मंगल मोद बढ़ाए।।
पुत्र प्राप्ति : प्रेम मग्न कौसल्या निसिदिन जात न जान। सुत सनेह बस माता बालचरित कर गान।।
नजर दूर करने के लिए: स्याम गौर सुन्दर दोऊ जोरी। निरखहिं छबि जननी तृन तोरी।।
दांपत्य जीवन में सुख : रामहि चितव माप जिहि सिया। सो सनेहु सुख नहि कथानिया।।
प्रेतबाधा निवारण: प्रनवऊं पवन कुमार खल वन पावक ज्ञान धन। जासु हृदय आगार बसहि राम सर चापि धर।।
सुयोग्य वर: सुन सिय सत्य अशीश हमारी पूजहि मन कामना तिहारी।।
सर्व सिद्धि : भाव कुभाव अनख आलसहु। नाम जपत मंगल दिशि दसहु।।

भ्रम निवारण : राम कथा सुंदर करतारी। संशय विहग उड़ावन हारी।। कुमार्ग से बचाव: रघुवंसिन कर एक सुभाऊ । मन कुपंथ पग धरहि न काऊ ।।
बटुक मंत्र मंत्र -ऊँ ह्रीं बटुकाय आपदुद्धारणाय कुरू-कुरू बटुकाय ह्रीं। अनेक प्रकार की आपदाओं का निवारण करने, धन, जन, सौख्य और पद-प्रतिष्ठा प्रदान करने वाला यह बटुक मंत्र बहुत प्रभावशाली माना गया है।
लक्ष्मीदायक मंत्र मंत्र : ऊँ लक्ष्मीभ्यो नमः । जातक आर्थिक संकट से मुक्त हो जाता है। ऐसा ही यह लक्ष्मीदायक मंत्र है।

ब्रह्मांड में स्थित नौ ग्रहों की शांति के लिए कौन सा मंत्र जपें जानिए...
सूर्य की अनुकूलता के लिए रविवार का व्रत करें। उनकी उपासना करके जल दें। गेहूं, गाय, गुड़, तांबा व माणिक्य तथा लाल वस्त्र का दान दें।
ध्यान से यह मंत्र जप करें: ऊँ आ कृष्णेन रजसा वर्तमानो निवेशयन्नमृतं मत्र्यंच। हिरण्ययेन सविता रथेना देवो याति भुवनानि पश्यन्।। ऊँ सूर्याय नमः ।।
बीज मंत्र - ऊँ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं सः सूर्याय नमः ।।
चंद्रमा की अनुकूलता के लिए शिव की आराधना करें। मोती धारण करें और ध्यान के लिए इस मंत्र का जप करें: ऊँ इमं देवा असपत्न सुवध्वं महते क्षत्राय महते ज्येष्ठयाय महते जानराज्यायेन्द्रस्येन्द्रियाय इमममुष्य पुत्रममुष्यै पुत्रमस्यै विश एष वोऽमी राजा सोमोऽस्मांकं ब्राह्मणानां राजा।।  
बीज मंत्र - ऊँ श्रां श्रीं श्रौं सः चंद्राय नमः ।।
मंगल की अनुकूलता के लिए मंगलवार का व्रत व शिवजी की स्तुति करें और ध्यान के लिए निम्न मंत्र जप करें। ऊँ अग्निर्मूर्धा दिवः ककुत्पतिः पृथिव्या अयम। अपां रेता सि जिन्वति।। बीज मंत्र - ऊँ क्रां क्रीं क्रौं सः भौमाय नमः।।
बुध की अनुकूलता के लिए बुध व अमावस्या का व्रत, गणेश पूजा करें। ध्यान के लिए निम्न मंत्र जप करें: ऊँ उदबुध्यस्वाग्ने प्रति जागृहि त्वमिष्टापूर्ते स सृजेथामयं च अस्मिन्त्सधस्थे अध्युत्तरस्मिन् विश्वेदेवा यजमानश्च सीदत।।  
बीज मंत्र - ऊँ ब्रां ब्रीं ब्रौं सः बुधाय नमः।।
गुरु की अनुकूलता के लिए गुरुवार का व्रत करें। बृहस्पति देव व गुरु की पूजा करें। ध्यान के लिए इस मंत्र का जप करें: ऊँ बृहस्पते अति यदर्यो अहद् द्युमद्विभाति क्रतुमज्जनेषु। यदीदयच्छवस ऋत प्रजात। तदस्मासु द्रविणं धेहि चित्रम्।। बृहस्पतये नमः ।। बीज मंत्र - ऊँ ग्रां ग्रीं ग्रौं सः गुरुवे नमः।
शुक्र की अनुकूलता के लिए शुक्रवार का व्रत करें। ध्यान के लिए निम्न मंत्र जप करें: ऊँ अन्नात्परिस्रुतो रसं ब्रह्मणा व्यपिबत् क्षत्रं पयः सोमं प्रजापतिः। ऋतेन सत्यम् इन्द्रियं विपान शुक्रमन्धस इन्द्रस्येन्द्रियमिदं पयोऽमृतं मधु।। ऊँ शुक्राय नमः।। बीज मंत्र - ऊँ द्रां द्रीं द्रौं सः शुक्राय नमः।।
शनि की अनुकूलता के लिए शनि का व्रत और महामृत्युंजय मंत्र का जप करें। ध्यान के लिए निम्न मंत्र का जप करें: ऊँ शं नो देवीरभिष्टय आपो भवन्तु पीतये। शं योरभिस्रवन्तु नः ।। ऊँ शनैश्चराय नमः।। बीज मंत्र - ऊँ प्रां प्रीं प्रौं सः शनैश्चराय नमः।।
राहु की अनुकूलता के लिए मंगल, शनि व सोमवार का व्रत करें। शिवजी की पूजा करें या महामृत्युंजय का जप करें। ध्यान के लिए इस मंत्र का जप करें। ऊँ कया नश्चित्र आ भुवदूती सदा वृधः सखा। कया शचिष्ठया वृत। ऊँ राहवे नमः।। बीज मंत्र - ऊँ भ्रां भ्रीं भ्रौं सः राहवे नमः।
केतु की अनुकूलता के लिए मंगल, शनि व सोम का व्रत करें। ध्यान के लिए इस मंत्र का जप करें। ऊँ केतुं कृण्वन्न केतवे पेशो मर्या अपनयशसे। समुषद्भिरजायथाः।। ऊँ केतवे नमः ।। बीज मंत्र - ऊँ स्रां स्रीं स्रौं सः केतवे नमः।
ऊँ सं सर्वारिष्टनिवारणाय नवग्रहेभ्यो नमः ।।

धन व समृद्धि को प्रदान करने वाले देवता गणेश हैं। सर्वप्रथम इनकी ही पूजा किसी शुभ कार्य के प्रारंभ में की जाती है।
गणपति वंदना इस प्रकार है। 
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्य कोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्व कार्येषु सर्वदा।।
गणपति का सामान्य मंत्र है: ऊँ वक्रतुण्डाय हूं। ऊँ गणेशाय नमः।

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Chocolate gifting in vogue

Chocolate gifting in vogue


While people prefer gifting traditional mithai when it comes to festive gifting, many people now consider chocolate as an alternate option. Keeping the importance that gifting has in Indian culture in mind, especially during festivities and with the recent adulteration realities in headlines having definite bearing on health, it isn't surprising that chocolate gifting has become a clear option. Chocolates are soon replacing traditional sweets as a gifting option on occasions like Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Christmas, Eid, Valentine's celebrations etc.With the increasing incidences of health hazards in traditional sweets, chocolates are perceived to offer hygiene and quality standards that make them a safer option. The exotic variety and tailor-made gift-packaging options along with customisation adds a person alised touch. At Birdy's, they have artists, who create the finest chocolates of different assortments, which have become a tradition in itself.
Birdy's chocolates are hand crafted to perfection and made using the finest ingredients, without adding any preservatives or colours that make them a perfect gifting option for all occasions. Drop in at any of the brand's outlets to pick up a box and make your festive season a special one.
Where: Birdys Bakery & Patisserie.
Chocolates starting from: ₹ 275 onwards.
E-mail: festive.season@Birdys.co.in Call: 90040595058454048200.



BENGALI FOOD YOU MUST TRY THIS SEASON

BENGALI FOOD YOU MUST TRY THIS SEASON





Food is an important part of all festivals and more so, for Bengalis during the recent Durga Puja. In fact, they have three important elements at every pandal -the Devi Protima (the idol of goddess Durga), the stage for cultural programmes, and the food stalls. For foodies, who've missed it at the pandals, they can still sample it a Bengali restaurant in the city. And these are dishes that you specifically need to ask for during this festive season:

 

BHOG

This is not something that you get at the stalls, but it is a very important part of Durga Puja. Bhog is usually the anna prasad offered to the goddess.While it used to be khichdi earlier, over the years, variations have been added and now different kinds of rice and vegetables comprise the bhog.

 

KATHI ROLLS

This is perhaps one of the most famous elements of traditional street food fare and the most popular one too. Kathi rolls are kathi kebabs rolled in layered paratha. The dough is kneaded into a rope and then flatted with a rolling pin to make a paratha that is later stuffed with kebabs of mutton or chicken. They are also available in vegetarian and egg varieties.

 

BIRYANI

Biryani is another specialty that is quite popular during this fest. This style of biryani has evolved from the Lucknowi style and is low on spices and light, so it may come across as a little bland.

 

MISHTI

What is a Bengali fare without some mishti (sweets)? Every pandal will have at least one sweet shop serving up delicacies, right from rasogollas to mishti doi to sandesh (milkcake).While the health-conscious might steer clear from such high-calorie offerings, these sweets are best enjoyed during the festival. 

 

CHOPS

This is another popular street food that is offered at many of the pandals. While the aloo (potato) chops are the most popular, the macher (fish) chop comes a close second and is served with mustard sauce.

 

MUGHLAI PARATHA

This is another mouthwatering delicacy from the streets of Kolkata that is also available in the city. It is a stuffed paratha that usually contains egg or minced meat. This is quite tasty, but high on calories.