Sweet Lamps (गोड दिवे)

As per Maharashrian tradition, new moon in the month of Aashdh is called Divyanchi Aavas or Aashadhi Amavasya which marks the beginning of Shravan month. This day is dedicated to the worship of lamps where all lamps in the house are cleaned and worshiped by offering flowers and Haldi-kumkum. Naivedya of Milk and Sugar is offered to all the lamps in home. 

On this auspicious day, dishes like Puran-Poli, Sheera, Dudhpaak etc. are cooked for meal. Also, a special dish - 'sweet lamps' made from Bajra flour or Wheat flour are made on this day. Generally five or eleven lamps are made on this day. One of these sweet lamps is lit in the evening. 

Serving:  8-10 Pieces

Approx. Time: 10 minutes (Preparation) and  15 minutes (Steaming)

Ingredients

1 cup Wheat flour
1/4 tspn Nutmeg Powder
A pinch of Turmeric Powder (only for colour)
A pinch of Salt 
2 tspns Ghee (for Moan)
1/2 cup Jaggery Syrup (approx.)

For Jaggery Syrup
1 cup Jaggery (Shredded)
1/4 cup Water

To Serve with

Ghee 

Method

Mix the Jaggery and Water in a saucepan and heat  the mixture till Jaggery melts. Do not overheat it. Set aside the Jaggery Syrup for cooling. 

Take the Wheat flour in a bowl. Mix Nutmeg Powder, Turmeric Powder and Salt into the Wheat flour. Thereafter, heat Ghee and pour it on the Wheat flour mixture. Mix well and start adding the Jaggery Syrup to the Wheat flour mixture. Knead it into a hard dough. You will need approximately half cup of Jaggery Syrup.

Divide the dough into 8-10 equal lemon sized balls. To make the lamp, take a ball and press it in the centre with the help of your thumb. Now with the help of index finger and thumb make a deep hole and give shape of a bowl to the dough. Press any corner to make tip of the lamp. Similarly make small sized lamps of the dough. Simultaneously, heat water in a Steamer. Place a clean wet cloth in the steamer and keep the lamps on the wet cloth while steaming to prevent it from sticking to the base. Steam it for approximately 15-20 minutes. 

Once done pour Ghee into the lamps and serve hot. If you have a sweet tooth, then add some powdered Sugar or remaining Jaggery Syrup to the Ghee and serve. 

Notes

1. Some people also add a pinch of Soda bi-carb to the Whear flour. But soda and turmeric gives red spots on the lamps. So avoid using Soda and Turmeric powder together.
2. A cup of Jaggery and  1/4 cup water will make one cup Jaggery Syrup. 

Stepwise Pictures