Why Vada Maalai for Lord Aanjaneya

Aum Sai Ram

Once some Devotee from North India came to pay respects to Mahaa Periyava (Kaanchi Swaamigal).After a comfortable darsan the devotee was lingering with worry written on his face. Periyava noticed this and asked the devotee what was bothering him. The devotee had some doubt about Aanjaneya for quite some time. He had made enquiries but no one could provide proper solution to clear his doubt. When the devotee was pondering if he can put forward his doubt to Periyava, Periyava on his own enquired about the reason for the worried look on the face of the devotee.

The devotee hesitatingly told that he had some doubt to be cleared about Aanjaneya. The devotee continued "devotees in Southern India propitiate Aanjaneya with a vada maalai made with Ulundu / Urad, black pepper etc., whereas we in Northern India propitiate with jhangri maalai. Can you kindly explain the reason for this?" The devotee from North India as also the other devotees eagerly waited for the response of Periyava.

With a smile on his face Periyava said: "Ladies of the house take the tiny tots outside the house show them the moon and divert them and the tiny tots with the diversion and good air outside eat the food. For the tiny tots, moon was a toy but for Aanjaneya the shining Sun was a ripe fruit and HE wanted to pluck it and consume. Aanjaneya,the son of Vaayu, immediately flew towards the Sun. Devaas were stunned to see baby Aanjaneya racing towards the Sun and no one dared to stop HIM. At this time Raahu also was flying towards Sun to generate Grahana. However, Raahu could not match the speed of Aanjaneya.
Raahu blessed Aanjaneya with a recognition(angeekaaram). Any one who propitiates Aanjaneya with eatable out of ulundu (the favourite dish of Raahu) and worships, they will be free from the affliction of Raahu and Raahu will not trouble them. Raahu also described that the eatable should have the shape like him (that of a snake).
So people afflicted with Raahu, worship Aanjaneya they will have lesser affliction.
As there is plenty of salt in the southern part of the country, ulundu, black pepper etc., are mixed together and vadai is prepared. There is plenty of sugarcane crop in the northern part of the country, and they like sweet, jhangri is made out of ulundu and dipped in sugarcane juice and Aanjaneya is adorned. As long as Raahu is pleased, it is immaterial whether the vada maalai is salty or sweet."

Devotee from North India and other devotees were pleased and convinced by the explanation given by Periyava prostrated at his feet.

Courtesy:
Article: Mrs. Padma Ramaswamy. Mumbai
Author: Sri.P.Swaminathan