Panakam is a traditional South Indian drink offered to Lord Rama on Rama Navami festival. Panakam drink is generally offered to Lord Vishnu at the beginning of the daily worship rituals in the temples. Panakam is flavorful jaggery sweetened drink which is very refreshing during the summer. It tastes so divine and feels like its purifying our soul.
Rama Navami is a Hindu festival to celebrate the birthday of Lord Rama, who is considered as the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. Rama Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of the Chaitra month (March – April) as per Hindu calendar.
HOW TO MAKE PANAKAM FOR RAMA NAVAMI (STEP BY STEP RECIPE)
- Here, I am using a mortar and pestle to crush the spices. First, we will take 8 to 9 Green Cardamoms and crush these into a coarse powder.
2. Next, take 1 tsp of Black Peppercorns and crush it into a coarse powder.
3. Now, take 1/4th cup of Jaggery in a mixing bowl and add 500 ml of Water to it. Give a nice stir.
4. To the Jaggery Water, add the prepared Cardamom powder, Black Pepper Powder and 1 tsp of grated Ginger. Nicely stir the spices with the water. Allow it to rest for 15 to 20 minutes so that jaggery gets completely dissolved in Water and the flavors of the spices will also get infused in the Water.
Usually, Ginger powder is used instead of fresh Ginger but personally I feel that fresh Ginger imparts a more refreshing flavor to the drink.
5. Let’s check after 15 to 20 minutes whether Jaggery has completely dissolved or not. If Jaggery has completely dissolved then strain the Water.
6. Add a pinch of edible Camphor to the Panakam and mix it nicely. Rest the Panakam for 5 minutes so that the smell of Camphor is completely diffused in the Panakam. Serve the Panakam in a small glass. Panakam is offered to the deity in earthenware, Glass or silverware. Here, we have offered the Panakam in silver glass to the deity.
Place a Tulsi leaf and one or two skin of Cardamom on the PANAKAM and offer it to Lord Rama on the festival of Rama Navami.
PANAKAM RECIPE FOR RAMA NAVAMI VIDEO
