Yen veettu golu...!!!

Amerikka le Thanksgiving yeppidiyo, appidi daan Sundalgiving namma oorle...!!! In Tamil Nadu, we celebrate Sundalgiving, a 9 day mega orgy of protein intake. Sundalgiving is also known as Navarathri, during which the nine forms of Shakthi, the female divinity, are worshipped. Come Navratri and it would be the nine day assault of the digestive system and the beginning of chickpea induced woes.

The spirit of golu keeping starts with 'downloading' the bommais or dolls from the parann...!! Sundal, odd numbered padis, maamis, Devi Kritis, pattu podavais, stainless steel dabbas, fancy thamboolam pais, and did I mention Sundal?

Groan.

The first three days are dedicated to Durga, who is responsible for cleansing us of impurities, comic sans font, vices, Tamil soap serials, bad ringtones and defects. The second three days are dedicated to Lakshmi, who is responsible for showering us with the immense amounts of wealth needed to pay off our credit card bills. The third three days are dedicated to Saraswathi, the Goddess with the Veena. She is the one who gives us the wisdom to go easy on the Sundal, watch out for Trans-fats and use Wikipedia for doing homework.

I am having kolu too. Amma is happy. I am going to have only three padis. Amma is not so happy..!! Atleast five padis should have been kept says her maamiyaar. But really, I don’t like the festival very much. For one, it goes on forever. Then there is all that singing that one needs to do. Every ponnu/maami must be on an average - visiting eighteen houses. These visits are typically spread across three or four days. These houses can be classified into three categories: (1) The 7 to 11 padi household – few, (2) The 3 to 5 padi household – several, and (3) The no padi household – most.

But certainly the worst part about this festival is the assault of the digestive system. One year’s protein requirement of an individual is attempted to be consumed over nine days. Maamis will proudly show us their culinary skills by sundalifying anything that can be and sometimes not. Cooked too much at times or too poorly at other times, it is most annoying to eat them. And the generous garnish of coconut doesn’t help either. If that is not bad enough, the neighbor will also come with a big bowlful of Sundal in the evenings. And coincidentally, it would be the same sundal that amma has made.Whose Sundal is better, amma will demand to know?

This year shall be no different. My husband has again, as always prepared himself with adequate number of antacid strips.

Well, I have also managed to keep a small little golu at my place too. And would be a pleasure to have you all over at my place for “vethala paakku” and not to forget the “sundal” (I hope I get the recipe right..!!). Don’t expect anything big…I am only 5 ft tall, so only 3 steps of golu padi..!!

Do take time to come over...I am hoping that Sunday would be convenient for all of us.

Psst…do let me know who all are coming for sure…you don’t want me to pack less sundal packets..!!!

~ceuda