Indian Temples
Basant Panchami 2024 USA: 5 Traditional Yellow Foods To Delight Goddess Saraswati
Let us look at the main 5 traditional yellow foods to delight goddess Saraswati on the eve of Basant Panchami 2024 in the United States of America.
Basant Panchami 2024 will fall on 14th February, on which day devotees worship Saraswati Mata – the Hindu Goddess of Wisdom. It is one of the most auspicious days which is also celebrated as Saraswati Puja. Vasant Panchami is associated with the yellow color and hence on this day, devotees located in the USA and other countries prepare the main 5 traditional yellow foods to delight goddess Saraswati.
Image Source: timesnowhindi
What Is Basant Panchami?
The eve of Basant Panchami or Vasant Panchami is also celebrated as Saraswati Puja. In the year 2024, it will fall on 14th February. The event that heralds the arrival of spring is observed with a lot of springtime-related themes. A lot of people play different activities and fly kites. Yellow, or the “Basanti” color, is the color of Basant (Spring). It represents wealth, brightness, vitality, and hope. People residing in the USA wear yellow-colored clothes and prepare various cuisines of the same color. Let us look at the main 5 traditional yellow foods to delight goddess Saraswati on the eve of Basant Panchami 2024 in the United States of America.
Read here=> Saraswati Puja 2024 USA: Vasant Panchami Date, Timing, And Shubh Muhurat
List of 5 traditional yellow foods to delight goddess Saraswati:
1. Basanti Pulao
Among the various yellow-hued foods, basanti pulao is the most popular and easy-to-make item. It is a compulsory and traditional food that should be cooked, offered, and served to all. The origins of this delicious rice dish are from Bengal. In previous times, Saffron was used to get the rich golden tint but with time, it has been replaced by turmeric powder to create a yellow hue.
2. Boondi Laddoos
Laddoo is a staple of every traditional Indian festival meal, and boondi-made varieties are highly preferred. For the eve of Basant Panchami, it is always on the menu. It is a sweet, ball-shaped treat, which is made by mixing boondi. Herein, boondi are small, granular balls of besan batter or flour that are deep-fried and covered with sugar.
3. Kesari Kheer
All the Indian traditional festivities are synonymous with kheer – a dish loved by all the Indians residing in the USA and other countries. For this reason, on Basant Pacnhami, a lot of devotees make a creamy kesari rice kheer by using saffron to get a hint of yellow color. There are many recipes for making this kheer to offer during the Saraswati Puja.
4. Malupa
One of India’s most popular and traditional foods is malpua, a delicious deep-fried pancake dipped in sugar syrup. Typically, malpuas are consumed on holidays like Basant Panchami along with Rabri, which is a dessert made with condensed milk.
5. Rajbhog
It is, as the name implies, a royal sweet gift. These creamy, light yellow delicacies are often filled with khoya and savory dried fruits. Having a foundation of chena or cottage cheese, rajbhog is preferred on all occasions like Basant Panchami.
Epilogue
On the eve of Basant or Vasant Panchami 2024, Hindu devotees residing in the USA and other countries can get the blessings of Goddess Saraswati by chanting her mantras and doing puja along with offering these 5 traditional yellow foods. They can either prepare these yellow foods at their home or buy them from an Indian sweet shop located downtown or near their residence.
Indian Temples
Auspicious Foods for Dhanteras 2024 USA: What to Eat for Good Fortune
Dhanteras marks the first day of the five-day Diwali festival. It is about purchasing gold, silver, and new items, and then follows with rituals of selective food items that promise an auspicious future. Indians in the USA can continue their celebrations and their families can remain closer to their roots by trying auspicious foods that will suit their meal, reminding them of festive numbers at home.
Here is a list of food items you can celebrate Dhanteras 2024 with because they are considered to bring good fortune and prosperity.
Image Source: herzindagi.com
Here is a list of food items you can celebrate Dhanteras 2024 USA:
Rice Items
Significance: Rice is considered a sacred one for many in Indian rituals and is used for purity and prosperity. On Dhanteras, dishes like kheer or pulao can be prepared and offered to the gods.
What to Try in the USA : Prepare local ingredients like rice and make these traditional dishes. This could be a saffron-infused rice pudding or a festive vegetable pulao, easy yet luscious in your American kitchen.
Also Read: Dhanteras 2024: Date, Time, and Puja Muhurat for Indians in the USA
Sweets (Mithai)
What it Symbolizes: Indians cannot imagine a festival without sweets. The eve of Dhanteras on one hand signifies offering and then eating sweets to bring joy, prosperity, and good fortune.
What to Try in the USA: Traditional Indian sweets, such as laddus, barfi and jalebis, are always a hit. If you are particularly busy, Indian sweets are available in any local Indian grocery store, or you can try some simple recipes, such as coconut laddus or semolina halwa.
Ghee-containing dishes
Symbolism: Ghee is taken as a symbol of prosperity and richness. You cook special meals for the family and present offerings to the deities.
What to Try in the USA: You can cook dishes such as ghee-laden parathas, puran poli, or even ghee for sweets like besan laddus. The richness of ghee symbolizes wealth and good health for the coming year.
Also Read: Dhanteras 2024 USA: What to Buy for Good Luck and Prosperity
Pomegranate
Symbolism: Pomegranates signify fertility, abundance, and success. The deep red color of the fruit is taken to symbolize riches and good fortune.
What to Try in the USA: Pomegranate is stocked in almost any American grocery store. You may use them as ingredients in making fresh fruit salads, add it to the traditional dishes, or just serve the seeds during your offering.
Dairy Products
Symbolism: Milk is treated like something pure and pure, and diary products like curd and paneer are put to widespread use in the offerings and festival food.
What to Try in the USA: Recipes for paneer curries, milk-based kheer or ras malai can be made to celebrate Dhanteras. Milk sweets are believed to usher good luck and happiness.
Coconut
Symbols: Coconut is considered sacred in the Hindu religion and is offered to the god on auspicious occasions. It represents prosperity, purity, and goodwill.
What to Try in the USA: Fresh coconut or desiccated coconut can be used in recipes such as coconut barfi or nariyal ladoo. One can also offer coconut water during prayers as a gesture of purity.
Ideas for simple dhanteras food ideas for families in the USA
If you are in the USA then you don’t get all the products but still, you can make what is locally available and prepare simple dishes which hold equal importance.
Sweet Rice (Kheer): A simple dish prepared from rice, milk, sugar. Add saffron or cardamom to enhance the flavor.
Besan Laddus: For laddus which are tasty, use ghee and chickpea flour. It would make laddus just for this time.
Fruit Salad: As pomegranates, bananas, and apples are considered lucky fruits, they can be added to an auspicious fruit salad.
Dhanteras 2024 in the United States, and you could still keep nothing out of your mind about back home traditions. Preparing or purchasing these sacred foods would keep you close to Indian roots and would help you celebrate the festival, just the same way and with the same meaning. These are sweets, ghee-based dishes, or fruits symbolically speaking. Good luck and prosperity are sure to be ushered into your family.
Dhanteras Foods FAQs
The traditional foods include sweets like laddus and kheer, sweets with ghee, and fruits, mostly pomegranates. These food items are believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
If you are not so busy to make them, you can always buy them from an Indian store. Most Indian grocery stores in the USA have traditional sweets ready during the festive season.
Ghee signifies purity and prosperity. Ghee is added to the food preparation on Dhanteras as it brings prosperity, wealth, and well-being to the family.
Pomegranates, bananas, and coconuts are lucky fruits. These fruits can be incorporated while offering oblation to deities and then put in meals or fruit salads.
Indian Temples
Dhanteras 2024: Date, Time, and Puja Muhurat for Indians in the USA
Dhanteras is popularly known as Dhantrayodashi and it occurs on the very first day of the festival of Diwali, which is the most auspicious day of the Hindu calendar. As per tradition, this day falls during the worship of the God of Health, Lord Dhanvantari, and Goddess Lakshmi goddess of wealth and prosperity. People purchase gold, silver, and other ornaments during Dhanteras so that it can bring them good fortune and prosperity.
As much the Americans celebrate Dhanteras, Indians in USA feel this is equal significance celebrated sitting miles away from their motherland. In 2024, Dhanteras will fall on the date of Monday, October 28th.
Image Source: timesofindia
Dhanteras 2024 Date and Time (USA)
Dhanteras Date: Monday, 28th October 2024
Pradosh Kaal Muhurat in USA: 05:55 PM to 08:32 PM (Time in the USA)
Vrishabha Kaal Muhurat in USA: 06:25 PM to 08:20 PM (Time in the USA)
The two most auspicious times to perform Dhanteras Puja are Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha Kaal. It is within this time, all the families light diyas and make their prayer and worship before Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi on their wishes.
Also Read: Dhanteras 2024 USA: What to Buy for Good Luck and Prosperity
Dhanteras 2024 Muhurat Time (USA Cities)
For US citizens residing in different cities of the USA, the approximate Dhanteras Puja time according to the local time is as follows:-
- New York: 06:10 PM to 08:40 PM
- San Francisco: 05:50 PM to 08:15 PM
- Chicago: 06:00 PM to 08:25 PM
- Houston: 06:15 PM to 08:35 PM
- Los Angeles: 05:55 PM to 08:20 PM
These are some general estimates. You may refer to the local Hindu temples or calendars for the specific Muhurat in your respective region.
Dhanteras 2024 Puja Muhurat USA: What to Do Today
One of the main things that happens on Dhanteras is that devotees clean their homes and light oil lamps to ward off evil energy. Here’s a quick guide to celebrating Dhanteras:
Cleaning the House: Begin the day by cleaning your house since it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi blesses clean and well-maintained spaces.
Puja Rituals: Construct a Puja place with an idol of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari. Light up oil lamps (diyas), prepare flowers, sweets, and rice, and pray to get their blessings.
Buying of Precious Metals: The most customary ritual associated with Dhanteras is that of buying gold, silver, or utensils, as these represent wealth and bring good fortune.
Lighting Diyas: As soon as night falls, light diyas in every room of your house to chase away evil energies and invite prosperity and happiness.
Also Read: Auspicious Foods for Dhanteras 2024 USA: What to Eat for Good Fortune
What to Buy on Dhanteras 2024
Buying gold, silver, or new utensils is also considered extremely inauspicious on Dhanteras. Some of the few things people spend money on during this day are:
Gold or Silver Jewelry: Gold or Silver Investment Sectors that believe it will eventually bring prosperity and good luck.
Utensils: Mostly, people purchase metallic utensils for their kitchen on Dhanteras.
Electronic Gadgets: Today, on Dhanteras, people buy electronic devices or equipment because it symbolizes the start of something new and development.
Vehicles: On Dhanteras, you can also purchase a new car or any other vehicle if you wish to.
Idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha: You can even buy idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha to perform Diwali Puja.
Dhanteras 2024 in the USA is a day when all rituals are performed, prayers are offered, and new buys fill the air. Indians are far from India, but the enthusiastic celebration of the festival is no less in the USA. Be it buying gold performing Dhanteras Puja or lighting diyas to illuminate your abode, it is time for renewal, prosperity, and gaiety with family members.
Follow the auspicious Muhurat times and enjoy a prosperous Diwali season with maximum blessings!
Dhanteras 2024 is celebrated with rituals, prayers, and fun in buying new things in the US. Thousands of miles away from India, Indian communities in the US celebrate this festive day with equal zest and devotion. It’s either buying gold, performing the Dhanteras Puja, or just lighting diyas to illuminate your home, yet the festival calls for renewal, prosperity, and togetherness.
Make sure to get hold of the auspicious Muhurat times so that you can maximize your rewards and enjoy a prosperous Diwali season!
Dhanteras will be observed on Monday, 28 October 2024.
The Pradosh Kaal Muhurat in the USA falls from 05:55 PM to 08:32 PM and Vrishabha Kaal Muhurat falls from 06:25 PM to 08:20 PM. It may vary a little differently in your city.
On Dhanteras, gold, silver, utensils, and electronic appliances are bought. It is a way that symbolizes good fortune and prosperity for the next year.
Yes. Dhanteras Puja can be performed at home by lighting diyas, offering flowers, sweets, and reciting prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari.
No, Dhanteras is not a public holiday in the USA. Anyways, the Puja is performed by the Indian community with all the customary rituals and worship celebrations.
Indian Temples
Diwali Decoration 2024 USA: 10 Traditional Diwali Decoration Ideas For Home
Diwali, popularly referred to as the festival of lights, is one of the biggest Indian festivals in any part of the world. It is all about happiness, joy, and positive energy. For Indians, living in the USA, the beautification of home during Diwali is an excellent means of remaining connected with their roots and traditions. Want some easy and creative ways to make your home Diwali-friendly in 2024?
Here are some easy ways you could light up your place.
Traditional Diyas (Clay Lamps)
Diyas are also a part of Diwali festive decoration. These clay lamps represent good over evil and ultimately signify how light will overcome darkness. You can line windows, stairs, or even your front porch with them. Add a little ghee or oil, and you’re ready for a classic, glowing light.
Fairy Lights
Add a little touch of modernity with fairy lights. Hang your tiny twinkly lights around your living room, balcony, or even devotional space. In the USA, you can easily get color-shaped string lights in almost all the local stores or even opt for these online.
Also read: Diwali 2024 in the USA: Date, History, Significance, and Celebration
Torans (Door Hangings)
A beautiful garland hung outside the entrance of the home. It can be made up of marigold flowers, mango leaves, or even beautiful designs on fabrics. Toran makes your front door welcome guests warmly while adding an Indian flavor to your home.
Rangoli Designs
Rangoli is a type of art through which colorful patterns are made on the floor using powdered colors, rice, or flowers. You can make simple rangoli designs near your entrance or in your living room. And if you are here in the USA, then you can use rangoli stencils or rangoli stickers for an easier, mess-free option.
Also Read: Diwali 2024 USA: Easy, Quick Instant Chakli Snacks Recipe
Floral Decorations
Fresh flowers can add vibrancy and zest to your home. Marigolds, roses-whatever kind of flowers you use, fresh flowers will not miss to make a statement in your home. You can place them in the form of garlands on your doors or add them to give a personal touch to your prayer room. You can even float them in a bowl of water as a beautiful centerpiece.
Candles and Lanterns
Diya can be accompanied by candles or lanterns as well to give a decorative and festive glow within the home. Lanterns, especially in gold and vibrant colors, are a reminder of the old but it now will look like a modern house. Place diya on decorative holders in and around the house to create a soft glowing ambiance.
Cushions and Curtains Decorative
Bring the festive feel of Diwali to your home with colorful cushions and curtains. Traditional Indian prints like paisley or floral prints would make your living room festive and warm.
Puja Area Setup
Diwali is not complete without the Lakshmi Puja, where Goddess Lakshmi is revered for her wealth and prosperity. Set up a special puja area with idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha, fresh flowers, diyas, and incense sticks. Decorate this space beautifully to create a peaceful corner of reverence during the festival.
Themed Wall Hangings for Diwali
You can also add some Diwali-themed wall hangings to the living room or even to the entrance. These can be traditional Indian motifs like elephants, peacocks, or decorative mirrors. In the USA, you can easily find these in Indian stores or order them online.
Table Decorations
For your dining table, opt for a lovely tablecloth with traditional designs and decorate your centerpiece with candles or flowers. To sum it all up, add decorative plates and napkins to make your Diwali dinner feel extra special.
Where to Buy Diwali Decorations in the USA
Diwali decorations can be easily found at most Indian grocery stores or ethnic markets across the USA. Even Amazon, Etsy, and Walmart carry a variety of Diwali-themed lights, rangoli kits, and home decor.
Diwali decorations make the space within your house warm, lit, and full of joy at this time of festival. Choose between the traditional rangoli or diyas and fairy lights and candles to add a basic concept and create a festive and welcoming atmosphere in your house. Even while living in the USA, it will make your Diwali celebration special and remind you of home.
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