And misal!!

 

Bhel!

 

Laadoo

 

And here's the food items!!!

Just to get your mouth to water! Here are some of the food items that were sold! 

Maharashtra mandal function in Iowa

Here is a Rangoli picture from that function. I did have the date of the function incorrect in my previous blog entry; it was some other date. The function was well attended and a lot of fun. Bhel, vada, misal, ladoo were also being sold in the function. Additional pictures from the function at http://www.maharashtraweb.com/lifeleis/rangoli.htm and http://www.maharashtraweb.com/lifeleis/aakashkandil.htm 

Untouchables

Read the book "Untouchables" by Narendra Jadhav. Provides a glimpse into the caste structure related to Mahars in Maharashtra. I am sure reading it in Marathi would be a better experience as all the songs are lost in the English version. I got especially interested in Mariaai, the god that is worshipped in the south as Mariaatha or Mariamma. I have personally seen the struggle of people as they try to balance their pull towards two religions. But I guess it doesnt really matter in big cities.

Creating Rangoli in Des Moines...

We will be attending a Rangoli creation function is downtown Des Moines on November 4th. It is being arranged by the Maharashtra Mandal of Iowa. There will be free Maharashtrian food served at the function. Entry is free; all donations will be eventually to disaster relief wing of Red Cross. Hopefully I can get some pictures that I can insert into the maharashtraweb site.