Latest news with #Annaprashan
NDTV
13-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- NDTV
Why Sooji Halwa Still Feels Like Childhood in a Bowl
There are desserts we crave and then there are those that cradle us in memory. A warm bowl of sooji halwa does both. Fragrant with ghee and cardamom, with a golden hue, sooji halwa feels like a hug from the past. Across India, this humble dessert has stirred up many childhood stories, from lazy Sunday breakfasts, cosy winter evenings, surprise school holidays and those festival mornings. It has always been the star of impromptu menus when relatives dropped in unannounced. No fancy ingredients, no elaborate preparation, just sooji, sugar, ghee and water working their magic with patience and love. For many, the aroma of ghee-roasted sooji is all it takes to feel young and carefree again, sitting cross-legged on the floor, licking halwa off the back of a spoon. You all can relate to it, is it not? Here, we share our top reasons why sooji halwa will always be the ultimate comfort food. Ghee in Sooji Halwa: Why This Ingredient Makes It So Irresistible One of the earliest memories people have of kitchens is the unmistakable aroma of ghee infusing with roasted sooji. This aroma pulls everyone to the kitchen even before the halwa makes it to the plate. It reminds us of how siblings sneak tastes straight from the kadhai, and how mothers hide an extra serving to satiate our midnight cravings. More than indulgence, sooji halwa is about warmth, familiarity and togetherness. Sooji Halwa: The Indian Dessert That Fits Every Occasion: Sooji halwa's true charm lies in its versatility. It seamlessly fits into both everyday meals and festive fare: During Ashtami puja, it pairs beautifully with poori and chana to make a soulful prasad. In Maharashtrian homes, it turns into banana sheera and becomes the first food fed to babies during Annaprashan. In Karnataka, the saffron-hued kesari bath is served for breakfast alongside upma. Bengali kitchens sweeten it with jaggery to make suji'r halwa during winter rituals. Sooji Halwa: The First Indian Sweet Many Kids Learn To Cook In many households, sooji halwa is the first sweet a child ever eats - and often the first one they try making with a parent. No ovens, no whipping or tempering, it just needs stirring with patience. According to Chef Sohag Mukherjee, sooji halwa is ideal for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. "It responds to care, adjusts to tweaks and never lets you down in the kitchen." How To Make Sooji Halwa At Home Step 1: Roast semolina in ghee until it turns golden and releases a nutty aroma Step 2: Dissolve sugar in water and add the roasted sooji and cardamom to it Step 3: Stir well until the sooji turns glossy Step 4: Add shredded nuts of your choice and serve hot Sounds delicious? Here is the detailed sooji halwa recipe for you to try. What Makes Sooji Halwa a Classic Indian Comfort Food: 1. It Needs No Occasion: You can make this halwa any time of the year, without waiting for a festival or a reason. 2. It Touches The Soul: Served in steel bowls, topped with dry fruits, sometimes even with extra ghee, it uplifts moods and warms hearts instantly. 3. It Is Predictable In The Best Way: And that is exactly where its magic lies. The dish is fuss-free, uncomplicated and feels like home every single time. Sooji Halwa and Indian Nostalgia: Why This Dessert Still Matters Sooji halwa might not be as glossy as jalebi or gulab jamun, but it is one of those dishes that lives quietly in our memory banks. It knows its place on the dessert platter and continues to reign supreme. Which memory does sooji halwa bring back for you - school holidays or puja mornings? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Shanawaz Shaikh hold son close on family trip to Kamakhya Temple: Where faith meets motherhood
Actor Devoleena Bhattacharjee is enjoying a family vacation with her husband, Shanawaz Shaikh, and their baby boy Joy, in Assam. She recently added a spiritual dimension to their trip by visiting the Maa Kamakhya Temple with her husband and son. Also read: Devoleena Bhattacharjee finally reveals baby Joy's face, shares pictures from Annaprashan ceremony on Instagram Devoleena Bhattacharjee and her husband, fitness trainer Shanawaz Shaikh, welcomed their baby boy on December 18 last year. Devoleena posts special moments on Instagram Devoleena captured the special moments spent at the temple through pictures, which she posted on Instagram. She shared pictures of herself, husband Shanawaz Shaikh, and baby Joy visiting the Kamakhya Temple. In one adorable photo, Shanawaz is seen cradling Joy in his arms as the couple beams with happiness against the temple's backdrop. 'Blessed at the Shakti Peeth... A divine day at the sacred Kamakhya Temple, where faith meets motherhood and love surrounds every step,' Devoleena wrote while sharing the images. 'Grateful for this spiritual moment as a family at one of India's most powerful temples dedicated to Maa Kamakhya,' she added. In the images, Devoleena looked elegant in a black saree as she posed lovingly with her baby boy Joy at the Kamakhya Temple. Before the Shakti Peeth, Devoleena gave fans a sneak peek of her visit to the Bhimashankar Dham. She posted a series of pictures on Instagram which featured the family seeking blessings from Lord Shiva. About Devoleena's personal life Devoleena tied the knot with her beau Shanawaz Shaikh, in December 2022 in a court wedding in Lonavala with only close friends in attendance. Devoleena and her husband, fitness trainer Shanawaz Shaikh, welcomed their baby boy on December 18 last year. Sharing the news with a heartwarming video, she wrote, 'Hello world! Our little angel BOY is here...18/12/2024 (sic)'. She had revealed her pregnancy back in August with a heartfelt post featuring moments from a traditional panchamrit ritual, putting months of speculation to rest. Devoleena is best known for playing Gopi Modi in one of television's longest-running shows Saath Nibhaana Saathiya. She then participated in Salman Khan's reality show, Bigg Boss 13 and it is still considered as one of the most successful seasons of Bigg Boss history.
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Devoleena Bhattacharjee finally reveals baby Joy's face, shares pictures from Annaprashan ceremony on Instagram
Actor Devoleena Bhattacharjee and her husband Shanawaz Shaikh gave fans a glimpse into their baby boy Joy's life with pictures from his Annaprashan ritual, unveiling his face for the first time. They shared that this milestone was a treasured moment. Also read: Devoleena Bhattacharjee and husband Shanawaz Shaikh become parents to baby boy: 'Our bundle of joy has arrived' On Tuesday, Devoleena took to Instagram to share photographs from the Annaprashan ceremony, a ritual where a child is fed solid food for the first time. In the pictures, Devoleena finally revealed her baby boy Joy's face to fans, seeking blessings for his good health and well-being. Sharing the images, Devoleena wrote, 'With folded hands and hearts full of gratitude, we celebrated our beloved son's Annaprashan ,Joy's first sacred taste of Anna (rice)'. 'May Maa Annapurna bless him with health, wisdom, and a life full of abundance. A beautiful milestone, a memory for a lifetime,' she added. A post shared by Devoleena Bhattacharjee (@devoleena) Baby Joy stole the show, dressed in a traditional Bengali dhoti and kurta, during his Annaprashan ceremony, which was conducted according to Bengali customs. Devoleena wore a saree for the ceremony. The intimate Annaprashan ceremony was celebrated with family members and close friends in Mumbai, with Devoleena's Saath Nibhaana Saathiya co-star Vishal Singh also in attendance. Devoleena Bhattacharjee and her husband, fitness trainer Shanawaz Shaikh, welcomed their baby boy on December 18 last year. Sharing the news with a heartwarming video, she wrote, 'Hello world! Our little angel BOY is here...18/12/2024 (sic)'. She had revealed her pregnancy back in August with a heartfelt post featuring moments from a traditional panchamrit ritual, putting months of speculation to rest. Devoleena tied the knot with her beau Shanawaz Shaikh, in December 2022 in a court wedding in Lonavala with only close friends in attendance. Devoleena is best known for playing Gopi Modi in one of television's longest-running shows Saath Nibhaana Saathiya. She then participated in Salman Khan's reality show, Bigg Boss 13 and it is still considered as one of the most successful seasons of Bigg Boss history.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Devoleena Bhattacharjee and Shanawaz Shaikh reveal the face of their little munchkin Joy; former writes 'We celebrated our beloved son's Annaprashan'
Devoleena Bhattacharjee and Shanawaz Shaikh were blessed with a little angel, their baby boy Joy on December 18th 2024. Now, the duo took to their Instagram handle revealing their little munchkin's face to the fans. Also, celebrate his Annaprashan. Devoleena shared a heartfelt post with a carousel of pictures from the auspicious day. Devoleena penned, "With folded hands and hearts full of gratitude, we celebrated our beloved son's Annaprashan, Joy's first sacred taste of Anna (rice) May Maa Annapurna bless him with health, wisdom, and a life full of abundance. A beautiful milestone, a memory for a lifetime…" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Devoleena Bhattacharjee (@devoleena) Fans were quick enough to comment on the post, a fan wrote, "Such a cute baby bht sara pyr aur blessings baby k liye." A user wrote, "Joy is a mix of both." While one of them wrote, "May Mahadev bless your cute family." Another one wrote, "Sending abundance of blessings and good wishes for the little one." Earlier, Devoleena had exclusively shared, "Motherhood starts the moment you start expecting. There's a sense of responsibility that grows each day. You want to cherish every moment, but words often fall short. I'm enjoying my journey as a new mom—it's filled with gratitude, love, and a lot of learning." While during a podcast, Devoleena revealed she doesn't want to force either of the religions on her son and wants to let him learn humanity above all, "Our baby will be Indian and I think we have a beautiful concept that if we can teach our baby good things from both religions, it will be so amazing. Agar woh ek accha insaan banega, usse accha kuch nahi hosakta. Rest I feel everybody has the right to make their own choice. Right now I feel why should I force my religion on him or if Shan forces his religion on him. "
