Mahashivratri 2024: The Significance Of Panchamrit With Recipe
Image Credit: Panchamrit (Picture Courtesy: Instagram/cooking_niti)

Occurring in the Hindu month of Phalguna, Mahashivratri is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India. It is extremely important to followers of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction. Devotees travel from all across the nation to pilgrimage destinations like Ujjain and Kashi Vishwanath in particular, where they offer their prayers to the Jyotirlingam.

This auspicious event commemorates the anniversary of the heavenly union of cosmic forces and the harmony of masculine and feminine energies—the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. In Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva performed the Tandava, or cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction, on the night of Mahashivratri.

The mahabhishekam is one of the main components of the Mahashivratri Puja, where the Siva linga is immersed in milk, ghee and water during this ritual. During this festival, milk is especially significant since it is used to make panchamrit, the main Prasad of Mahashivratri.

The words panch, which means five, and amrit, which means a potion of immortality, combine to form the term panchamrit. There are five constituent parts that make up the preparation. Also called charnamrit, the prasad is made with milk, curd, ghee honey, and sugar.

Adding milk to prasad represents piety and purity; adding curd represents offspring and wealth; adding sugar represents happiness; adding ghee or clarified butter represents triumph; and adding honey for sweetness. Holy basil, or tulsi leaves can also be added to panchamrit to make it more holy. In addition to being used in traditional rituals, these five substances are also considered to have a soothing effect on the digestive system, particularly for individuals who are fasting.

Here's how you can make Panchamrit at home for Mahabhishekam and Puja

Panchamrit Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup milk
  • 5 tbsp curd
  • 1 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp ghee  
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Optional: a few leaves of tulsi

Method:

  • Place the curd and milk in a clean bowl, then thoroughly mix to create a homogeneous batter.
  • Now, gradually add the honey and stir thoroughly to give the prasad a hint of sweetness.
  • Avoid allowing any lumps to develop in the batter by carefully adding the ghee to the mixture after warming it gently.
  • By adding sugar to the blend, you can give your prasad a pleasant touch.
  • Optional: you can further add a few leaves of tulsi to the Panchamrit once it's made.
  • When the prasad's ingredients are completely mixed, serve it to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva during the Mahashivratri rituals.