Varalakshmi Nombu Part 2 - the day of the pujai
Needless to say, wake up early, please. There's so much to do. Check on the kolam and line it with semmannu if you have not already done so. Take a head bath (no need to apply oil) and wear washed clothes. Puja Prep: wash the vettalai, fruits and coconut for neivedyam. Neivedyam: Make neivedyam prep as per the menu of the day. Soak rice for half an hour and then grind it as for dosa batter (if this is the kozhakottai method you follow). Add a spoon of oil in kadai, add water, a pinch of salt and stir in the batter and cook till it forms a lumpy mass and keep it closed to cool. Soak ulundu for vadai. Grind it in an hour with whatever you usually add. Make saadam, paruppu, payasam, vadai ( at least 3-4), kozhakotai (a few), sundal, idli, kosumbari before going on to other food items. Puja Prep continuation: Do this before amman azhaippu which should be around 8.30. So wind up the kitchen work by 7.45 and move on to the puja space. Start by replacing flowers...