MAAVILAAKKU / Rice flour Lamp - Thai Velli Special

Thai Velli is the Friday (velli)  that comes in the month of Tamil month "Thai", which falls in the English month January-February. These four Fridays are considered very auspicious and dedicated to Hindu Goddesses especially 'Sakthi','Ambal', 'Amman'. 
On this day, many families have the tradition of lighting a special lamp made of rice flour,Jaggery and ghee and worship the Goddesses. The lamp is offered to the goddesses and then distributed as prasadham. 
Here goes the steps to prepare the Maavilakku,

Ingredients:

Rice flour - 1 cup
Jaggery - 3/4 cup
Cardamom powder - a pinch
Ghee - 3 to 4 tbsp (or as required)

Method:

Add rice flour and jaggery to the blender and blend till both mixes well. Use the pulse mode otherwise the jaggery will make the mix sticky. If the jaggery is hard, use a knife to cut into small pieces before adding to the blender.

Remove from the blender, add the cardamom powder, start adding the ghee in frequent intervals and make a smooth dough. Sprinkle some water if you find difficult to make the dough.

Divide the dough into two and make two balls.

Keeping the ball in one hand, slightly press the center part of the ball using your fingers. It should be spacious to fill the ghee and place the wick.
Keep chandhan, kunkum to the lamp, add ghee, place the wick and lit the lamp. 

Note: Maavilakku can be refrigerated for few days.
          Bring to room temperature before serving them.