Neem flower Mango(manga) Pachadi | Tamil New Year Special

Manga | Mango Pachadi is made up of Raw mangoes. This special dish can be made on the Auspicious day Tamil New Year(puthandu | Varudapirappu) , the five tastes like mangoes(pulippu),jaggery(enippu),neem flowers(kasappu),salt(uvarppu),chilli(karam) and tamarind(thuvarppu).It depicts that life has to face everything from success to defeat.Children are highly excited at the time of puthandu as they receive small gifts or cash from their parents and relatives.
According to Tamil Calendar the Tamil New Year is celebrated Every year in April 14 th. On this day people make this manga pachadi to bring the wealth and prosperty.Some people will wear new dress on this day.
cithirai(சித்திரை) is the first month of tamil calendar and it is consider as the begining of the year ,so people want to start anything the will do on this day. Till now i remember my mom use to draw ma kolam and she decorate the house with flowers.The entrace she used to keep the ma elai and thoranam. The same day she will make delicious lunch with vadai ,payasam everything. I am wondering now how she get energy to do all this without any help. Am really blessed to have a mom like these and till now we are following all her procedure what tought for us.

Usually on Tamil New Year day along with Mango Pachadi they will make no onion and garlic food ,like sambar, aviyal,kootu,poriyal,rasam, vadai ,paysam.some people make variety rice like lemon rice,puliyodarai,curd rice,mango rice ,etc…
Lets see how to make Mango Pachadi.


Ingredients:

• 1 Raw Mango,Pealed and grated
• 2 dry Red Chilies
• A small piece Jaggery, crushed 
• 1/2 tsp Oil
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1/3 tsp Mustard seeds 
• 1/3 tsp Cumin seeds 
• Tamarind lemon sized 
• 1 tsp neem flower
• Salt, to taste 
• 3/4 cup Water 

Method:

• Heat oil in a pan and season with mustard, cumin seeds and Red chillies.
• After a minute add the grated mango pieces and saute.
• After about 3-4 minutes or so, add water, salt and turmeric.
• Cover and allow to cook until the mango become soft.
• Add the crushed jaggery and Tamarind mix until it dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly.
• Finally sprinkle the neem flowers on the top(you can add the fried neem flowers also).Serve…