Boil water with salt, jeera, shallots and half a spoon of ghee (optional). Add rice powder and mix with the back of a ladle/ wooden spoon. The mix will be lumpy. Knead this into soft dough while still hot (wet your palm with cold water while kneading) and roll into balls. Oil a piece of banana leaf. Place a dough ball in the centre and spread it into a circle using your fingers. The pathiri should be thick. Heat a griddle/ non-stick pan. Place the pathiri on it and cook both sides till done. Serve with coconut milk and curry of your choice.