Pressure cook the arhar dal adding turmeric, salt and enough water.

Soak tamarind in warm water, set aside.

In a pan, boil tamarind water, sugar,green chilli, salt and turmeric powder.

Add the pressure cooked, mashed dal and sambar powder, bring to a boil.

Give a tadka of mustard seeds, curry leaves, hing and red chillies. Pour on top of the boiling sambar.

Take off heat and serve with idli, dosa, vada or rice.