Kala chana – Ashtami Prasad

Name: Kala chana - Ashtami Prasad
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 PEOPLE
Ingredients: 1.5 cup Black chana/chole; 3/4 teaspoon Salt; 1/2 teaspoon Red chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon Haldi (Turmeric powder); 1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds; 1-2 teaspoon Coriander powder (sukha dhaniya); 3 tablespoon Oil; 1 tablespoon Chopped cilantro leaves ((optional))

April 3, 2017

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Kala chana – Ashtami Prasad is a quick and easy meal that packs tons of flavors and is so simple, yet so tasty. Pair it with sweet semolina pudding and deep-fried pooris to make a lip-smacking meal!!

It’s again this time of the year when Navratri (festival of nine nights) is coming to an end and every household is prepping up for Ashtami or Navmi pujan.

The eighth day of Navratri is celebrated as Durga Ashtami which also marks the end of fasting period for several devotees. On this day, devotees offer prayers to Goddess Durga and perform Kanchike or Kanjak.

What is Kanjak?

Kanjak means young girls within the age of birth – 9 years of age and these girls are ceremonially worshiped.

This puja also referred to as Kanjak Pujan or Kanya pujan ( worshiping a girl child) and is celebrated either on Ashtami (the 8th day) or Navmi (the 9th day) of Navratri.

How is Kanjak Pujan done? Kala chana – Ashtami Prasad

People welcome young girls in their house.

Wash their young feet,
Apply kumkum on their forehead and
Tie roli (a sacred thread) on their little hands.
Perform the young girl’s aarti, touch their feet and seek their blessings.
Then the girls are made to sit in a row and
Later they are served Kala chana – Ashtami Prasad, Sooji halwa and puri – a delicious and favorite KANJAK food.
When they are done eating and ready to leave people shower them gifts in the form of money or toys.

Durga Ashtami is the most auspicious day of the year, and people celebrate it with great zeal and enthusiasm.

Each family follows their tradition as some worship Ashtami, and some do puja on Navami.

Now on to the recipe!

Soak kale chole overnight. In the morning pressure cook for 8-9 whistles. Cooking time may vary depending on whole old the legumes are. Once legumes are thoroughly boiled and soft (as shown in the pic above) cook them in oil and mild spices.

From here on the recipe is straightforward and needs no fancy ingredients. Just the regular spices and a couple of tablespoons of oil and there you go – delicious and tasty sookhe kale chane are ready.

Feel free to add/delete spices to your liking. Adding a teaspoon of amchur (mango powder) will add some tanginess to this chana recipe.

Since this prasad is consumed mostly by young girls, I prefer leaving out on the green chilies and cilantro, but feel free to experiment.

Health Benefits!

Black chickpeas are incredibly healthy as they are –

low in fat,
high in dietary fiber,
also rich in vitamins and minerals.

It’s a great addition to your daily diet, and it can be a reasonably versatile recipe.

If not using it as a prasad then add some chopped onions, green chilies, chopped cilantro, chaat masala, and some sev and munch it as an evening snack with your tea.. yum yum yum….

This is what we relished as children, and now my kids do the same with leftover Ashtami prasad 🙂

HAPPY ASHTAMI TO ALL OF YOU!!

Enjoy Ashtami prasad with Sooji ka halwa and Puri .

If you happen to make, these then drop me a line below. Would love to hear back from you!

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With your pictures, I would love to see your yummy creations!