Koozh Thiruvizha

Adi Koozh Thiruvizha / Festival and Adi Kanchi Festival  is celebrated primarily in Tamil Nadu, particularly by communities that honor the Mariamman, the goddess of rain and fertility, and its a time for devotees to seek her blessings for abundant crops and health.. It typically falls in the Tamil month of Adi (mid-July to mid-August). Ragi Koozh is a traditional dish made from ragi (finger millet) and is often prepared during festivals

Preparation & Serving Koozh

Kuzhu or porridge dish is typically made by soaking ragi in water, grinding it into a smooth batter, and then fermenting it. This batter is then cooked with broken rice to create a thick porridge-like consistency. Its a three days process.  Before grinding the ragi flour, its a tradition to keep pongal padaithal to Mariamman one of the Friday, following the Pongal padaithal, ground ragi flour will be missed with required amount of water to get ferment for 24 hours(depends on the climate). On Saturday ( Next day) fermented batter is cooked along with broken rice. Once done, allow it to cool that entire night. On Sunday, Prepared Kuzhu is mixed with curd and water with salt and offered to goddess Mariamman.

Serving: Prepared Kuzhu can be consumed either like rice called kali ( thick kuzhu) or to drinking consistency with curd and water. It can also be served with various accompaniments such as karuvadu kuzhambu, Mochai kuzhambu, drumstick greens poriyal,  spicy pickles or chutneys. It can also be consumed on its own, seasoned with salt and sometimes tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves.

Aadi Noi Kanji 

Another important kanji served during aadi masam for Mariamman is Aadi Noi Kanji. This Kanji is made out of simple ingredients like broken rice, moong dal, coconut, salt.

The Rice and dal are cooked with water until they reach a soft, porridge-like consistency. It’s usually garnished with shredded coconut and can be served warm with spicy gravy and vegetable curry.  

Both the dishes are typically prepared and enjoyed in communal settings, reinforcing bonds among family and community members. Sharing the dish is seen as an expression of hospitality and togetherness with the blessing of Our Mariamman.