Gauri pooja is performed in many homes during the 10 day ganesh chaturthi festival. Jeshtha and kanishtha are believed to be twin sisters of lord ganesha.

They visit their brother for two days during the 10 day festival...these sisters are also forms of goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati. They are the bestowers of progress and prosperity. Many different varieties of idols are available in the market but... in my friends home...these "mukhavate" as they are known are 100 years old...handed down from generations ...its now 3rd generation where the pooja is performed yearly with all the devotion. They are made up of brass...every year they are polished and decorated...and adorned with jewellery..and of course lot of fresh flowers and yummy naivedyam of "puran poli" etc...

Another friend celebrated gauri habba on the previous day of ganesh chaturthi...which we call "haratalika pooja" and in this festival gauri is parvati mother of ganesha...

Fascinating to see each region in India celebrating different cultures with same thought..

Banana and Walnut Cake.....

This is one sure shot receipe and healthy too...its eggless and no maida !! and yummy too...

very yummy !! I got it from a friend few years back and just tumble upon it today morning..

1 1/2 cups wheat flr

1 cup oats

1/2 cup sugar

2 t sp baking powder

1 t sp cooking soda

1/4 cup walnuts

in another bowl...

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup oil

1 t sp vanilla essence

1 cup bananas mashed

Mix all the dry ingrediants ,then add them to the bowl of milk and oil mixture. Do not beat too much... just mix till its moist...then add this mixture to a pre greased tray...you can also pour the cake mix into paper cups or greased muffin mould...Bake at 200 C for 20 mints.

enjoy !!