{"id":312261,"date":"2025-11-22T22:51:48","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T22:51:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/neelkantha-pulao-a-rice-offering-for-the-divine-with-blue-butterfly-pea-flowers-ishitaunblogged\/"},"modified":"2025-11-22T22:51:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T22:51:48","slug":"neelkantha-pulao-a-rice-offering-for-the-divine-with-blue-butterfly-pea-flowers-ishitaunblogged","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=312261","title":{"rendered":"Neelkantha Pulao, a rice offering for the divine with blue butterfly pea flowers \u2013 IshitaUnblogged"},"content":{"rendered":"


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I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to celebrate colours in my daily life \u2026 the sun rays filtering into our rooms traversing through the day from dawn until dusk, casting shadows and reflections in different hues and directions\u2026 a myriad of flowers from coloured hibiscuses that bloom slowly as the morning sun warms up\u2026 fragrant frangipanis, pink oleanders standing tall trying to kiss the vibrant blue summer sky, butterflies of varied sizes flocking to the bushy yellow allamandas\u2026 and then surrendering to the delicate blue butterfly peas.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Neelkantha<\/figure>\n

My butterfly peas are all around \u2013 hanging alone from planters on my fence and my neighbours\u2019 or growing lovingly entangled with other plants in our garden. Also called Aparajita, meaning \u2018the unconquerable\u2019, and Neelkantha, meaning \u2018the blue-throated one\u2019, the latter is linked to the Hindu God Shiva. In Hindu mythology, during the Samudra Manthan, the churning of the oceans by gods and demons to get Amrita, the nectar of immortality \u2013 Lord Shiva drank the poison that surfaced to save the world, causing his throat to turn blue and earning him the name Neelkantha.<\/p>\n

\"Blue<\/figure>\n
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The Neelkantha flower is a sacred offering for Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna, and Goddess Durga, whose other name is also Aparajita for remaining undefeated and invincible.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Blue<\/figure>\n

My morning rituals include collecting flowers for our altar and home from our garden and the surrounding community. Knowing my passion and interests, my Ma<\/a> shared a recipe of a polao \u2013 the Neelkantha Polao. She had seen it on TV where it was made by the Bengali kirtan singer Aditi Munshi. This special rice offering made with blue butterfly peas was always made at her home during Holi, the Indian festival of colours. Apparently this was a favourite dish of Lord Krishna and she served the Neelkantha Polao with a paneer preparation \u2013 Pitambari Chanar Dalna. <\/p>\n

\"Blue<\/figure>\n

On last Sunday during the Holi weekend, I made both the polao and paneer. I also made Cholar Dal, a favourite accompaniment whenever I make traditional Bengali polao like Basanti Polao, also known as Mishti Polao. A traditional sweet tomato chutney with raisins completed the offering for our altar and our special Sunday lunch menu. Sharing the recipe of the Neelkantha Polao\u2026 hope you enjoy making it too! <\/p>\n

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Neelkantha Polao, a polao made with blue butterfly peas<\/h3>\n
Category: Mains; Cuisine: Bengali\/Subcontinental
\nserves:4 people Time: 40-45 minutes<\/p>\n

\"Recipe<\/h4>\n

Ingredients<\/h4>\n

30 fresh blue butterfly peas, washed and petals separated from sepals (dried petals can also be used)
200 gms or 1 cup Gobindobhog rice*
1 bay leaf
1 one-inch cinnamon stick
5 green whole cardamoms
1\/2 tsp Bengali garam masala powder (a fine grind of green cardamoms, cinnamon sticks and cloves taken in equal proportions)
200 gms mixed nuts \u2013 pistachio, cashew, almonds broken and pounded
100 gms raisin, golden
3 tbsps Bengali gaoa ghee*
1 tbsp sugar
Salt, as per taste<\/p>\n

Method<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n