Natraja Media - Diwali 2023

Index Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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History and Origin of Diwali . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Purpose of Oil Bath during Diwali . . . . . . . . . 5 The 5 Days of Diwali . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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The Significance of Diyas at Diwali . . . . . . . . 8 Story of Yamdeepdan Pooja . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The Significance of Yamdeepdan Pooja . . . . 9 Diwali Treats - Recipes Bhoondi Luddoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Goolab Jamun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Penda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Burfi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Channa magaj . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Coconut Paak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Melting Moments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Butter Cream Filling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Crunchies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Oat Cookies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Romany Creams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SA-India Fair 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Kiddies Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Disclaimer: The information provided by Natraja Media in this publication is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith, however, We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information. you are completely free to include or exclude religious issues from your practise as you so choose.

DIWALI 2023

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Ponderings of the Publisher

From my Desk

Wishing Everyone a Safe and Happy Diwali

Happy Diwali

Going all out with the fireworks and lamps, waiting for the evening for the dazzling displays from all the neighbours.

Beyond the good eats and fun the essence of Diwali, the festival of lights, rings true in all

by Jared Rajoo who celebrate with the Greetings to our readers, love and light within us coming together to reDiwali is such a beautiful spect and honor the light time of the year. A time within others.

To all our readers, for life, light and love.

Symbolizing the spiritual victory of light ove dark- We wish you a Happy Diness, good over evil, and wali and may the light of knowledge over igno- the season fill your homes and hearts. rance.

My earliest memories Keep up to date with in childhood were fun filled times spent with our latest posts and projmy cousins, family and ects. Natraja Media has friends. Going house to many new and exciting house to our neighbours things coming. Check us to share some of the de- out on social media. licious goodies lovingly Until next time, stay prepared by my grandsafe and stay healthy. mother and aunties.

by Ravika Naicker Greetings to our lovely readers, Nothing beats the excitement of Diwali in my home!

As a child there was a grand build up to Diwali.

The excitement of Diwali began a month early.

Diwali meant rising early, oil baths, exchanging sweets, watching firework displays and having fun with family!

As an adult, Diwali has a more wholesome meaning, lighting the yamdeep a day before Diwali. Embracing this auspicious time to honor Mother Luxmi, decking my home with diyas, giving thanks to mother Luxmi and praying for her continued blessings upon my family, friends and home. A time to celebrate the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, the triumph of righteousness.

NATRAJA MEDIA

To our readers, Happy Diwali!

May your homes be filled with love and joy.

May you lives be filled with peace, prosperity and an abundance of happiness.

Let us unite and make Diwali joyous and safe, safe for each other, for our enviroment and our pets.

God Bless!

Much Love, Ravika

Our Team

Natraja Media specializes in digital and print media. Our services include graphic design, social media posts, and much more. Our publications are available to view online at issuu.com.

Contact us to request our services or for more information at the email below.

Jared Rajoo Publisher

natrajamedia@gmail.com

Ravika Naicker Production

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History and Origin of Diwali

DIWALI 2023

During the festivities, people clean their homes and decorate their houses with lights, lamps, diyas, flowers, rangoli, and candles. People perform Lakshmi Puja to appease Goddess Lakshmi, who is the Goddess of wealth, and seek her blessings.

History and Origin of Diwali:

Tale of the Ramayana

Historically, Diwali can be traced back to ancient In- The most popular tale associated with Diwali is the dia. It is most likely a festival of lights which began as return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya following his 14 years an important harvest festival that stretches back more of exile and after defeating the demon king Ravana. than 2,500 years. However, various legends are asso- During this exile, the wicked king Ravana of Lanka abciated with the origin of Diwali. Many of these stories ducted Sita. After a lot of hurdles and a lengthy quest, are about the triumph of good over evil.

Lord Rama finally vanquished Lanka and saved Sita.

In joyous celebration of this victory and the return of Goddess Kali and her story: King Rama, the people of Ayodhya rejoiced by illumiIn some parts of India, especially in Bengal, the festi- nating the kingdom with earthen diyas, distributing val is dedicated to the worship of Maa Kali, the dark sweets and by setting off firecrackers, a tradition still goddess of strength and is celebrated with much fun followed by myriad people who celebrate the festival. and fervour. It is said that Goddess Kali took birth to save the earth and heaven from the hands of the cruel demons. But surprisingly, after killing the demons, Goddess Kali lost control over her wrath and started slaughtering everyone who came her way. Lord Shiva, therefore, had to intervene to stop her from the killing spree. This is the very moment when she steps on Lord Shiva with her red tongue out and ultimately stops her violent activity in horror and remorse.

The Significance of Diwali: Every ritual of the Diwali festival has a significance and a story behind them. Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. The lights of Diwali signify a time to destroy all our dark desires and thoughts, eradicated dark shadows and evils and gives us the strength and the zeal to carry on with our goodwill for the rest of the year.

Tale of Goddess Lakshmi: Most of the Hindu people worship Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali, considering her as a goddess of prosperity and wealth. The day is marked as the birthday of this deity which was the New Moon day of the Karthik month. Utterly impressed by the serene beauty of Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu decided to marry her and, therefore, the diyas were illuminated in a row to mark this occasion. Since then Diwali is celebrated to worship Goddess Lakshmi and seek her blessings.

Diwali is a celebration that unites people from every nook and corner of the country irrespective of religion and caste. It is a time when people embrace one another with joy and laughter. The festival is celebrated with an air of friendliness and holds an aura of purity.

Article from www.pragativadi.com

While the story varies from region to region, its essence of Diwali remains the same - Diwali is celebrated with worship.

DIWALI 2023

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What Is The Purpose Of The Oil Bath During Diwali?

Oil baths stems from the Ayurvedic shashtras hence beneficial in so many positive ways. Abhyanga is the sanskrit Ayurvedic term for an oil massage which is an integral part of the daily routine recommended by this healing system for overall health and wellbeing.

An oil bath will leave you feeling profoundly relaxed – mentally and physically. Oil applied to the skin is warming, moistening, nourishing, and soothing – everything that Vatta in one’s body needs to be balanced. Sesame oil is the most penetrating and nourishing of all the oils which makes it ideal for pacifying dry Vatta in/on one’s body. Sesame Oil is warming as well, another characteristic that pacifies Vatta. While Vatta is cold and dry, Kapha is cold and wet, so for Kapha a warm, spicy oil that stimulates lymphatic drainage like mustard oil is often used. If mustard is unavailable, one can use a spicy olive oil or a lighter oil like sunflower. Pitta on the other hand is fiery and hot, so coconut oil and even diluted neem oil are used in oil bath for Pitta dominant types.

wealth. Celebrations begin before dawn with the ritualistic oil bath. While taking an oil bath seems to be a Diwali tradition, it’s by no means restricted to just this festival. In most Indian homes, the oil bath is a weekly affair.

Match the Oil to your Dosha: • Vata: Sesame, Almond, Olive (but not a spicy variety) – dry skin, drier in cold weather, dry type psoriasis or eczema and painful joints.

• Pitta: Coconut, Neem – red, hot skin, easily irritated skin, oily skin, headaches from hot sun.

• Kapha: Mustard, Olive (prefers a spicy variety), Sunflower – cool, moist skin, large boned, slow, easy going and gains weight easily. I would suggestedly advise using a combination of Til (Sesame), Coconut and Mustard oils. So it’s not uncommon that the tradition of taking a oil bath during Naraka Chaturdashi and Diwali mornings is still continued to be observe up to today. This ritual is known as Tel Snaana (oil bath). Symbolically oil baths on Narak Chaturdasi and Deepavali suggest new beginning – removing the negativities viz the ego, anger, fights, pride and jealousy of the previous year and a fresh new beginning. So this is a physical cleansing of the body and a spiritual cleansing of the mind with new hope ritual.

Lord Krishna after killing the mighty demon Narakasura took an oil bath to get rid of the blood spattered on His body. The ritual of cleansing of the body also is symbolic of removing all dirt, evil and inauspicious things before the arrival of Srimati Lakshmidevi on the following day of Diwali. The oil bath thus has a symbolic meaning – a new beginning after washing away all dirt. Traditions mentions that those who perform the oil bath on Naraka Chaturdashi and Diwali will be blessed with prosperity, progeny and

The benefits of taking oil bath: It clears oily substances from the skin of total body and facilitate the same to transfer heat from its inside to outside. By giving healthy cold to our body we can have good appetite and feeling of taste. Healthy cold prevailing in our body prevents many diseases like jaundice, cancer and other viral diseases. We can get healthy, deep sleep and good concentration in our daily activities. Side effects of severe diet control can be cleared by this good healthy habit. Skin and hair health can be maintained as it removes surface tension on the body. It is very economical and also required once in a week.

Article from dipika.org.za

How to Take an Oil Bath: • Ensure that the bathroom is as dry as possible.

• Ensure that body is dry.

• Now apply the 3 kinds of oils (which you have selected from the list above) on your scalp and the length of the hair (if you have hair).

• Now apply the mixed oils all over your body.

Massage the oils gently until it is absorbed thoroughly.

• Wait for 5 minutes. Now you may also apply a thin layer of the besan paste (gram flour) all over your body. Stand still while it dries and thereafter wash off the rest of the oil and besan using just warm/hot water. Do not use soap or body wash.

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DIWALI 2023

The 5 Days Of Diwali How Long Does Diwali Last?

Diwali or Deepavali is celebrated over a period of 5 days. The five days of Diwali start from Dhanteras, Chaturdashi, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj.

Diwali is celebrated every year in either October or November, based on the lunar cycle. It is commemorated on the 15th day of Kartik, the Hindu calendar’s

holiest month.

Diwali is a five-day celebration with diverse meanings for each day.

This year, Diwali 2023 begins on Friday, November 10, 2023 (10/11/2023), and finishes on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 (15/11/2023).

Day 1: Dhanteras Friday, November 10, 2023, Dhanteras Is The First Day Of The Diwali Festival (Friday, November 10, 2023) Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanvantari Trayodashi) is the first day of Diwali - “Dhan” denotes riches and “Teras” is the 13th day of a lunar fortnight on the Panchanga.

Kubera, the God of Wealth, was worshipped for his wealth and success. On Dhanteras, Goddess Lakshmi is adored.

Many people think that Mata Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune, was born on this day.

To welcome Maa Laxmi, people clean their homes.

Purchasing gold, silver, kitchenware, or a gadget is deemed fortunate.

Image by starline on Freepik Muhurta Dhanteras = 06:02 PM to 08:00 PM

Day 2: Naraka Chaturdasi (Chotti Diwali) Saturday, November 11, 2023 Choti Diwali Is The Second Day Of Diwali (Saturday, November 11, 2023) Naraka Chaturdasi is observed because Lord Shri Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur on this day.

Naraka Chaturdashi occurs on the Chaturdashi of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik.

This festival is also known as Kali Chaudas or Roop Chaudas.

In some Indian regions and cultures, it is believed that it was Goddess Kali who killed the Rakshasa Narakasura. Thus it is celebrated as Kali Chaudas.

Hindus wake up before daybreak, take a holy bath, and put on fresh clothing to execute morning religious ceremonies, and then the festivities begin.

Rangoli is placed in front of doors to embrace happiness and drive away evil spirits.

Muhurat of Kali Chaudas = 11:39 PM to 12:32 AM

Day 3: Lakshmi Puja (Diwali Festival) Sunday, November 12, 2023 Diwali’s Third Day - Lakshmi Puja/Kali Puja (Sunday, November 12, 2023) The third day of Diwali is regarded to be the festival’s major eve. The third day lends Diwali the nickname “Festival of Lights,” because you’ll see Diyas, Kandil, colourful lightning, and so on everywhere you look.

Amavasya, or the Darkest Day of the Month, is the most important day of this five-day celebration.

Families assemble to worship Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh in order to welcome the goddess of money, success, and prosperity into their house.

Mothers give Diwali sweets to their neighbours and vice versa. Children are looking forward to the fireworks display and gifts from their parents.

Muhurta of Lakshmi Puja = 05:40 PM to 07:36 PM

DIWALI 2023

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The 5 Days Of Diwali Day 4: Govardhan Puja November 14, 2023 Govardhan Puja On Diwali’s Fourth Day (November 14, Tuesday 2023) People do Govardhan puja and Bali Pratipada on the fourth day of Diwali (Pandava). Lord Krishna conquered Indra on this day and instructed the people to revere nature.

Bali Pratipada (Bali Padyami) commemorates Lord Krishna’s triumph over the demon king Bali.

Govardhan Puja, also called Annakut (meaning a heap of grain).

Food is organised in tiers is placed in front of the Lord as an offering. After which it is offered as prashad to all who do darshan. The food mountain depicts Mount Govardhan.

Day 5: Bhai Dooj Wednesday, November 15, 2023 Diwali’s Fifth Day - Bhai Dooj/Vishwakarma Puja (November 15, Wednesday 2023) Bhai Dooj is observed on Diwali’s fifth day. Yama Dwitiya, Bhai Tika, and Bhai Bij are other names for it. Sister does tilak and prays for their brothers’ long and happy lives.

Brothers swear to defend them under all circumstances. Sisters and brothers share their affection for one another, which strengthens their relationship.

Aparahna Muhurat Bhai Dooj = 01:17 PM to 03:30 PM

Pratahkala Govardhan Puja Muhurat = 06: 18 AM to 08:36 AM

Image by Chandlervid85 on Freepik

In this manner, we commemorate the 5 Days of Diwali 2023.

One should now know that one is free to observe Diwali on any of the 5 days depending on which of the significance one attaches to it, or one may observe all five days. There may be several ceremonies to commemorate the Diwali , but the fundamental goal of the celebration is to provide enjoyment, time for reflection, to think and dissipate ones own darkness, and to remove sorrows. Allow light to glow within you, as well as light to shine outwardly.

Just like the colours of rangoli, hope this Diwali brings new smiles, undiscovered avenues, and different perspectives and unbound happiness. Have a wonderful Diwali and a great New Year!

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DIWALI 2023

The Significance of Diyas at Diwali

A very interesting story about this day is attached to the sixteen year old son of King Hima. As per his horoscope he was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage.

On that fateful fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband’s palatial room and lighted infinite numbers of lamps all over the place. After all these, she went on telling stories and singing songs so that her husband is not able to sleep.

When Yam, the god of Death arrived there appearing in form of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by the dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince’s chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away.

Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of “Yamadeepdaan” and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in remembering Yam, the god of Death.

LIGHTING OF DIYAS

RANGOLI

Light the first lamp and place this diya at your Diwali is commonly associated with the godprayer place and pray to Mother Lakshmi and dess Lakshmi, and so it’s common for people to create colourful rangoli patterns to welthen from this one light the other lamps. come her into their homes.

DIWALI 2023

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The Significance of Diyas at Diwali The Significance of Yamadeepdaan Pooja / Dhanteras

Dhanteras, derived from Dhan meaning wealth and teras meaning thirteenth, marks the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin or Kartik and the beginning of Diwali in most parts of India.

According to Hindu scriptures, it is believed that diyas are lit in order to please Lord Yama, the God of Death. People believe that lighting the Yama ke Diyas will help to ward off any kind of threats from the lives

of their family members. Performing Yamadipadana means pleasing Yamadeva and offering a prayer for protection from the distressing frequencies which are responsible for untimely death. It is further believed that by doing dipadana a person gains radiance (Tej).

By this his vital energy increases and he gains longevity.

Yamadeepdaan Pooja

Thirteen lamps made of wheat flour or clay lamps, lit with SESAME oil are placed outside - usually lit at the back of one’s house, facing southwards (the direction of Lord Yamaraja’s abode), in the evening.

A lamp is never kept facing southwards except on this day.

Yamadeepdaan Mantra

Then, reciting the following mantra one should offer obeisance: mrutyunaa paashadan daabhyaam kaalena shyaamayaayuta: | trayodashyaam deepadaanaat suryaja: priyataam mama | English:“I offer these thirteen lamps to the son (Lord Yama) of the Sun deity (Surya), so that He liberates me from the clutches of death and bestows His blessings upon me.”

Story of Yamadeepdaan Pooja

A very interesting story about this day is attached to the sixteen year old son of King Hima. As per his horoscope he was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage.

On that fateful fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband’s palatial room and lighted infinite numbers of lamps all over the place. After all these, she went on telling stories and singing songs so that her husband is not able to sleep.

When Yam, the god of Death arrived

there appearing in form of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by the dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince’s chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away.

Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of “Yamadeepdaan” and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in remembering Yam, the god of Death.

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D I WA L I T R E AT S

DIWALI 2023

MITAI - SWEETMEAT

GULAB JAMUN

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INGREDIENTS

BOONDHI LUDDOO

INGREDIENTS 50ml ghee • 875ml (3 ½ cups) Gram flour 397g (1 tin) condensed milk • 10ml (2 tsp.) ghee 50ml semolina • 20ml (2 dessert spoons) baking powder 500 - 750ml cake flour • 5ml (1 tsp) elachi powder 10ml baking powder • 5ml (1 tsp) egg yellow colour 5ml cardamom and nutmeg • Oil for deep frying Combine and make a thick batter with water (similar Dessicated coconut - optional to a fritter batter) METHOD Whisk together the ghee and condensed milk.

Syrup Add the semolina, cake flour, baking powder and • 750 ml (3 cups) sugar spices to the ghee mixture to form a soft dough. • 500ml (2 cups) water Set the dough aside to rest for 15 – 20 minutes.

• Colouring and elachi powder Break off small pieces of dough and form lengths METHOD of approximately 5cm -finger shaped.

Heat the oil in a saucepan for deep frying.

1. Boil the above to a thin consistency until syrupy.

Fry until lightly browned, turning frequently.

2. Press batter through a large holed cooking spoon Remove from oil, making sure to drain excess oil, or colander, held over hot oil. and immediately dip into warm syrup.

3. Fry to a golden brown colour and dip in syrup.

Roll in dessicated coconut (optional).

Allow to stand for 60 minutes to cool.

Place these on a tray to cool.

4. Mold mixture into balls.

INGREDIENTS FOR SYRUP 5. Decorate with coloured almonds and other sliv500ml granulated sugar ers of nuts.

375ml water Delightful Laddoos, Incandescent METHOD Diyas, Whole lot of Smiles and Add the sugar and water to a saucepan and boil for about 10 – 12 minutes until a sticky consisten- laughter, a big stock of Masti, lots of cy is reached, making sure not to stir in between.

Mithai. Happy Diwali!

Keep syrup warm.

DIWALI 2023

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D I WA L I T R E AT S

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MITAI - SWEETMEAT

PENDA

BURFI

Penda is a type of milk fudge. Similar to Burfi, personally I find that this decadent sweetmeat is a fail safe alternative.

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INGREDIENTS 875ml (3 ½ cups) Klim Full cream Milk Powder/ Full Cream Evaporated Milk Powder 875ml (3 ½ cups) Powdered Sugar/ icing sugar 2ml ( ½ tsp) Cardamum/ elachi powder 30ml (2 Tbsp) Condensed Milk 15ml (1Tbsp) melted ghee 5ml (1tsp) rose essence 125ml ( ½ cup) Dessert Cream almonds for decorating METHOD Sift dry ingredients into a mixing bowl.

Stir the remaining ingredients together and pour into the dry ingredients.

Mix well to make a soft pliable dough.

Roll up to form a roll– allow to set for about 1/2 hours for easier handling.

Slice into 10cm pieces.

You could chose to pipe into rosettes/ roll into golf ball sizes and place in mini foil cupcake holders and decorate as desired.

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INGREDIENTS 500g Klim Full cream Milk Powder 1 can (155g) Dessert Cream 250g sugar 250g icing sugar 310ml (1¼ cup) water 60g butter 125g ground almonds 5ml (1tsp) elachi powder METHOD Mix together cream and Klim until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Mix water, sugar and icing sugar together in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

Add butter.

Add Klim mixture to the above.

Reduce the heat and stir well for about 5 minutes.

Add ground almonds and elachi and mix well.

Remove from heat and cool.

Shape/Pipe and decorate with slivered, tinted almonds.

Allow to set.

Happiness is in the Air, It’s Diwali everywhere, Let’s Show Some Love and Care, And Wish Everyone out there…

Happy Diwali!!!

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D I WA L I T R E AT S

DIWALI 2023

MITAI - SWEETMEAT

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CHANA MAGAJ

COCONUT PAAK

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

500g Gram Flour/ Channa Flour/ Chickpea Flour • Coloured slivered almonds • 500g Powdered Sugar/ Icing Sugar • 60ml (1/4 cup) Full Cream Milk • 500ml (2 cups) Ghee/ Clarified Butter • 10ml (2tsp) Cardamum/ elachi powder • 250ml (1 cup) Nespray/ Klim Full Cream Milk • Powder/ Full Cream Evaporated Milk Powder • 250ml (1 cup) chopped almonds

500g desiccated coconut 250g Full cream Milk Powder 2ml ( ½ tsp) elachi powder ½ can Nestlé Condensed Milk ¾ can (310g) Dessert Cream 250g sugar 375ml (¾ cup) water apple green food colouring

METHOD Heat milk and 2Tbsps ghee.

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Add to Gram flour and rub in until it resembles 2. fine breadcrumbs.

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Braise this Flour mixture in the remaining two 4. cups ghee for 40 minutes on moderate heat, stir- 5. ring continuously, or until flour changes to a gold- 6. en brown and smells aromatic.

Remove from heat and Add chopped almonds and 7. blend.

Add icing sugar, elachi powder and powdered milk.

Mix well and set in a pan (approximately 25x30cm) lined with parchment paper.

Decorate with coloured, slivered almonds.

Cut in diamond shapes.

METHOD Mix coconut, Klim-milk powder and elachi.

Add Condensed Milk and Dessert Cream.

Boil sugar and water to make a thick syrup.

Add coconut mixture to the hot syrup.

Remove ⅓ and add a few drops of green colour.

Allow to stand for a while, layer white and green mixtures into a tray.

Decorate with slivered almonds.

DIWALI 2023

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D I WA L I T R E AT S

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biscuits

MELTING MOMENTS INGREDIENTS • 250g margarine -Softened • ½ cup icing sugar, sifted • ½ cup cornflour • ½ tsp vanilla essence • 2 cups/500ml flour • buttercream for sandwiching biscuits • extra icing sugar for sifting over biscuits METHOD 1. Preheat oven to 180°C. 2. Cream margarine with icing sugar and add vanilla essence and mix.

3. Next combine cornflour to margarine mix 4. Add the plain flour and mix until it becomes a soft paste-like mixture.

5. Pipe using a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle 6. Pipe finger lengths onto a baking sheet 7. Bake for +/-15 minutes or until the edges appear lightly browned 8. Remove tray from oven and place on damp tea

towel for 10 minutes 9. Lift off biscuits with a spatula 10. When the biscuits have cooled, sandwich with buttercream 11. Sift icing sugar over VARIATION: Biscuits could be sandwiched together with chocolate.

Ends of biscuits can also be dipped in chocolate like I have done-(if so, then omit buttercream) BUTTER CREAM FILLING INGREDIENTS • 2 TBL butter • 1 cup icing sugar - Sifted • 1⁄2 tsp vanilla essence • pinch of salt METHOD 1. Combine icing sugar, and salt.

2. Cream butter, add dry ingredients and mix to bring to a spreading consistency.

VARIATION: Butter cream could be made into chocolate butter cream bynadding 1tsp of cocoa to step 1.

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D I WA L I T R E AT S CRUNCHIES

DIWALI 2023

biscuits

INGREDIENTS • 250g Butter • 250ml sugar • 250ml oats • 250ml dessicated coconut • 2 tbls golden syrup • 750ml cups cake flour • level tsp bicarbonate of soda • 2 tbls boiling water

ROMANY CREAMS INGREDIENTS • 250 g margarine • 360g of granulated sugar • 2 cups of desiccated coconut • 4 tbsp. of cocoa powder • 2 cups of flour • 4 tsp. of baking powder • 200g of cooking chocolate

METHOD METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 180˚C. 1. Cream butter and sugar 2. Cream butter and the sugar in a large bowl until 2. Add oats, dessicated coconut,golden syrup and creamy, then add the desiccated coconut and cocoa flour and combine well. and mix well.

3. Mix the 2 level tsp bicarbonate of soda and 2 tbls 3. Sift in the flour and baking powder and stir until boiling water together and add to the dough. combined.

4. Once all the ingredients have been add to the Work the dough together to form a soft ball. dough, and mixed well.

4. Break the dough into small rounds. Flatten to about 5. Roll out to 5 mm on floured surface and cut into 1cm thickness and scrape the top of the dough with squares. a fork.

6. Bake at 180 until brown for about +-10-15 min- 5. Transfer to a greased baking sheet. utes 6. Bake for 15 minutes.

OAT COOKIES 7. Leave to cool for 5-10 minutes, then transfer INGREDIENTS to wire racks to cool completely.

• 250 g margarine 8. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler and allow to • 1 cup of icing sugar/ powdered sugar cool for 5 minutes.

• 1 cup of cornflour/cornstarch 9. Spread the chocolate over the undersides of half • 1 cup of desiccated coconut of the biscuits and sandwich with the remaining bis• +- 3 cups of self raising flour cuits.

• 1 cup of oats or • Optional: 100g of nibbed almonds VARIATION: Biscuits could be sandwiched together • Optional: Cooking chocolate - for decorating with chocolate butter cream filling.

METHOD 1. Mix together the dry ingredients in a bowl.

2. Work the margarine in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.

3. Slowly add in the dry ingredients to the margarine, mixing in between.

4. Form the dough into rolls.

5. Cover and refrigerate the rolls for 1 hour.

6. Remove from refrigerator and slice.

7. Preheat oven at 180˚C. for about 15 minutes.

8. Allow to cool on the pan for about 5 minutes before removing.

9. Continue cooling on a wire rack.

10. Ddecorate with chocolate (optional).

DIWALI 2023

NATRAJA MEDIA

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INDIA FAIR 2023 KINGSMEAD STADIUM, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA

Indulging in some last minute Diwali Shopping as the Expo closed.

Every item unique, beautiful and holds its own story. (Pictures by Ravika Naicker)

The exhibition stalls displayed an assortment of handcrafted Easternwear and jewellery, certainly making it the shoppers paradise.

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NATRAJA MEDIA

DIWALI 2023

COLORING

Diwali Party - Games for Kids • Diya Painting/ Decorating • Creating Rangoli Designs • Guess The Movie By Singing • Diwali Quiz • Musical Chairs • Dance Off • Make Your Own Diwali Greeting Cards

DIWALI 2023

NATRAJA MEDIA

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Diwali Word Search

Can you find these Diwali words.

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Fireworks Light Rangoli Diya Fortune Triumph Mitai Colourful Rama Ramayana