Panchamrit (Image credit: @nayanas_food_gallery/Instagram)
Janmashtami It is an annual celebration in the Hindu calendar that celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Lord Krishna and is scheduled to begin on August 26, 2024. Many rituals are followed on this day, from how and when people bathe to the prayers and pujas that are performed and what is eaten during the day. The central focus of the Janmashtami festival is the 56-item bhog that includes an array of sweets to appease Lord Krishna, who notoriously loved all things sweet. One of the most significant additions to the day’s prasad is Panchamritwhich is used to bathe the baal roop of Lord Krishna, offered during Abisheka and then distributed among the devotees.
The word Panchamrit consists of two parts, Pancha (five) and Amrut (divine nectar of the gods). Panchamrit is said to have been one of the ingredients that came into being during the Samudra Mathan, or the churning of the ocean of milk described in the Mahabharata and is hailed as an elixir of immortality. As the name suggests, Panchamrit is made up of five ingredients and each has its own divine significance. Milk represents purity and also reflects Lord Krishna’s love for milk, butter, curd and other dairy products. Ghee represents strength and victory, honey represents dedication and unity, a testament to the bees in the hives in which it is created. Sugar sweetens life and represents a state of happiness, while curd or dahi is said to represent prosperity.
In Ayurveda, the combination of these ingredients is also believed to improve immunity and brain function, while balancing the body’s pita and dosha. Panchamrit is performed during many Hindu rituals, but it is a special favorite for Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna, making it a necessary addition to Janmashtami offerings.
According to Hindu folklore, gods attained immortality by consuming Panchamrit. Traditionally made with five key ingredients, modern Panchamrit can include variations such as tulsi leaves, saffron, bananas, dates and coconuts, with ingredients often varying by region.
To make your own Panchamrit for Janmashtami, follow this simple recipe.
Panchamrit Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup yogurt
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon ghee
Method
- Start by placing 1 tablespoon of sugar in a silver bowl. The use of a silver bowl is traditional and is believed to enhance the spiritual significance of Panchamrit.
- To the sugar, add ¼ cup of yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of ghee. Each of these ingredients symbolizes different aspects of life and spirituality: yogurt represents prosperity, honey represents sweetness and ghee represents purity.
- Pour ¼ cup of milk. Milk is considered a symbol of nourishment and is essential in Panchamrit.
- Beat the mixture well until all the ingredients are well combined and smooth.
- At this point you can also add cut fruit, nuts, rose petals or saffron decoration.
- The Panchamrit is now ready to be used in rituals or consumed as a sacred offering.
This traditional Panchamrit is often prepared during Hindu religious ceremonies and is believed to bestow blessings and purity on those who consume it.
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