Recipe for Bellam Undrallu: A Classic Vinayaka Chavithi Prasadam

Recipe for Bellam Undrallu: A Classic Vinayaka Chavithi Prasadam


### Bellam Undrallu Recipe with Rice Flour or Rice Rava – Vinayaka Chavithi Prasadam Recipe

Vinayaka Chavithi, commonly referred to as Ganesh Chaturthi, is an important festival celebrated to pay tribute to Lord Ganesha. A classic offering during this celebration is Bellam Undrallu, a delectable sweet prepared mainly with rice flour or rice rava and jaggery. This dish is not only a tasty delight but also carries cultural significance as it is deemed one of Lord Ganesha’s preferred foods.

#### Ingredients

– **Rice Rava** (coarsely milled rice) or **Rice Flour** (fine homemade)
– **Jaggery** (or sugar as a substitute)
– **Moong Dal** (split yellow lentils)
– Water (for cooking)

#### Preparation Steps

1. **Cooking the Mixture**:
– Start by boiling the moong dal in water until it is tender.
– In a different pot, blend the rice rava or rice flour with water and cook until it transforms into a sticky mass. This mixture must be thick enough to maintain its shape when formed into balls.

2. **Adding Sweetness**:
– After cooking the rice mixture, incorporate the jaggery (or sugar) into it. Continuously stir until the jaggery dissolves and mixes thoroughly with the rice mixture, resulting in a sweet, sticky texture.

3. **Shaping the Undrallu**:
– Let the mixture cool a bit. When it reaches a manageable temperature, grease your hands and take small amounts of the mixture to form them into small balls, referred to as undrallu.

4. **Steaming**:
– Arrange the shaped undrallu in a steamer and steam them for roughly 10-15 minutes until they are thoroughly cooked.

5. **Offering to Lord Ganesha**:
– Once steamed, the Bellam Undrallu are ready to be presented as naivedhyam (food offering) to Lord Vinayaka during the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.

#### Additional Notes

– **Variations**: Although jaggery is the customary sweetener, sugar can serve as an option. The texture and flavor might differ slightly depending on the sweetener utilized.
– **Serving Suggestions**: Bellam Undrallu can be savored warm or at room temperature. They can also be enjoyed with coconut or sesame seeds for enhanced flavor.

#### Conclusion

Bellam Undrallu is a wonderful prasadam that captures the essence of Vinayaka Chavithi. Its preparation is straightforward yet significant, making it a beloved offering throughout the festival. Enjoy crafting this sweet treat and sharing it with family and friends as part of the celebrations.