PANAKAM

HAPPY SRIRAMA NAVAMI

Sriramanavami is the most important festival celebrated all over India. Marriage of Sita and Rama as well as birthday of Rama falls on  Chaitra shukla Navami of the Hindu calandar,and the occasion is celebrated a SRIRAMA NAVAMI. Many special naivedyams are prepared, but two of which are prepared by all Indians------Panakam ana Vadapappu.

Panakam is a very good summer coolent with rich aroma and taste. Unlike the teertham which is given in small quantity, this panakam is given with tumblers to all the devotees in every Sita Rama temple. Even Children loves it. The prasadam is served to all after the kalyanamahotsavam.
One of the important thing I remember from my childhood memories is the 9 days festival(Navaratrulu) celebrated under the "Chaluva pandillu". Unlike the cloth shamiyanas, these palm leaf (tataku pandillu) shamiyanas provide a cooling comfort to all the devotees in the hot summer.
Vdapappu is also a good coolant for the body. Soaked moong dal is called vadapappu. In the temples soaked moong dal is mixed with salt, chilly powder, grated coconut and lemon juice. It is one of my favorite prasadams. Coming to panakam, the main ingredients are jaggery, pepper powder, cardamom. There are many other ingredients added to enhance the taste. Now I give the procedure to panakam which is make in my home.

INGREDIENTS

• Water                             3 cups
• Jaggery                          3 Tsp.
• Cardamom powder        1/2 tsp.
• Pepper powder              1/2 tsp.

PROCEDURE

Mix all the ingredients, rest for 1/2 an hour. Serve chilled.

Sonthi(dry ginger powder) is also added for flavor.

Some people add a pinch of salt to enhance the taste.

Tulasi is also added in some temples.