Panchamrita

Panchamrita (Sanskrit: पञ्चामृत, lit. five Amṛtas) is a mixture of five foods used in Hindu worship and puja[1] which are usually honey (Sanskrit: मधु), sugar (Sanskrit: शर्करा), milk (क्षीर), yogurt (Sanskrit: दधि) and ghee (Sanskrit: घृत).[2][3]

Preparation

Appropriate quantities of Milk (only zebu cow milk), Yogurt, Honey, Sugar and Ghee are mixed together.[2][3] However, there may be certain regional variations in ingredients. Most south Indians add ripe banana[4] instead of sugar. In Palani Murugan temple, Tamil Nadu, Panchamrita is used in abisheka and distributed as prasad in huge quantity. Banana used here is Virupachi variety, specific to that location.[5] Panchamrita is an Ayurvedic preparation but has been manipulated in several places to cut costs and increase keeping value. Until 1890, bananas were not used.

Keralites may also include tender coconut. Some recipes also include grapes.[6]

Usage

References

  1. ↑ For definition of पञ्चामृत (IAST: pañcāmṛta ) as "the collection of five sweet things used in worshipping deities" see: Apte 1965, p. 578,
  2. 1 2 Bryant, Edwin (2007). The Krishna Sourcebook. Oxford University Press. p. 529. ISBN 978-0-19-514891-6.
  3. 1 2 Sarkar, Benoy Kumar (2004). The Folk Element in Hindu Culture. Kessinger Publishing. p. 236. ISBN 978-0-7661-8657-6.
  4. ↑ Karigoudar, Ishwaran. A populistic community and modernization in India. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  5. ↑ "Palani temple to double panchamirtham production". Economic Times (Palani, India). 6 October 2009.
  6. ↑ Nair, K.K. Sages Through Ages, Proof of divinity given. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  7. ↑ Millett, Deacon (2013). Hoodoo Honey and Sugar Spells: Sweet Love Magic in the Conjure Tradition. Lucky Mojo Curio Co. ISBN 978-0-9719612-4-1.
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