My First Vlog | Choodi pooja 2022 | Shravana Masa | Soulful Rekz
Channel: Soulful Rekz
Date: 07/08/2022

Choodi Pooja, is observed during Shravan month in Karnataka, and is of great importance to the Gowd Saraswat Brahmins (GSB) in Karnataka. In 2022, Shravan Month in Karnataka begins on July 29 and ends on August 27. Tulsi Plant and Lord Surya are worshipped during Choodi Pooja, which is observed on Fridays and Sundays in Shravana Maasa (month). The main ritual involves exchange of a small bouquet of flowers by married women.

Choodi is derived from the Kannada word ‘Soodi,’ which means a tied bundle. The main ritual involves arrangements of flowers and herbs in a small bundle. Usually a bundle will contain four to five flowers, Darba grass and two or three herbs.

A sweet mixture of puffed rice, coconut and jaggery is prepared on the day and offered during puja. Some people prepare Panchakajjaya, a sweet made of five ingredients.
Locally available herbs and flowers are used to prepare the Chudi. Some of the common flowers and herbs used include Ratnagandhi, Shanka Pushpa, Darba Grass, Gauri Pushpa etc. The flowers are arranged with some artistic sense.

Goda Phovu / God Pohe
Ingredients:
Thin Poha/Parched Rice - about 3 cups
Grated Coconut (fresh or frozen) - about 1 cup
Jaggery/Gud/Gul - about 2 tbsp
Green Cardamom/Elaichi - 1 pod
Milk or Coconut Water - few drops (optional)

How to make Goda Phovu:
Crush the cardamom seeds in a mortar pestle to a fine powder.
Sift the parched rice in a strainer so that the powder falls off.  In a mixing bowl add (sifted) thin poha, shredded coconut, grated jaggery, ground cardamom and mix well with hands.  Coconut softens the parched rice.  If required, sprinkle few drops of coconut water or milk or water. You don't have to be precise with the ingredients, all are approximate amounts.