Puratasi Maavilaku

Today is 3rd Sat in the Tamizh Month of Puratasi. The month of Puratasi is said to be special for Lord Balaji, the lord of seven hills-Tirupati.
A special lamp of rice flour, sugar, powdered elachi is considered special for this day. To make the Maa-vilaku:
Ingredients:
1. Rice - 1 cup + one handful
2. Sugar - 1 cup + one handful
3. Powdered Elachi

Method de Prep:
1. Soak the rice for about 30 mins in water at room temperature.
2. Remove the rice from water and let it dry on a paper towel for few mins
3. Grind dry in a blender
4. Add the sugar to the powdered rice and mix
5. Add Powdered Elachi (cardamon) and mix

To make Maavilaku spread the rice on a round plate and shape it like a small mountain with a crater. Pour ghee into the crater with a wick. Place a small Betel Nut under the wick at the lighting end to separate it from the flour. Light the lamp in the name of Lord Venkateswara

Maavilaku signifies Lord Balaji himself in the form of Jyothi Swaroopa. In the olden days, when the old, disabled and very young devotees of Lord Balaji couldn't visit him, it is said that the Lord himself visits them on this day. The lighting of the Maavilaku signifies the Lord Almighty himself visiting our home. As the lamp slowly burns down, it shows the Lord going back to his home- the seven hills. When the lamp is completely burnt out, we chant "Govinda Govinda" perform Deeparadhanai and offer prayers. The Maavilaku can then be made into sweet balls and distributed as prasadam.