DISH NAME : PALANI PANCHAMRITAM

Preparation Time : 10 minutes

Cooking Time : No cooking

Description

Panchamritham can be called as the oldest form of Jam or fruit preserve. Panchamritam can be split into two words- panch (five) and amrit (immortal). Panchamritam is a mixture of 5 types of food. Usually the five food items are milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and honey. In Palani temple, Tamil Nadu, panchamirtam consist of banana, ghee, honey, dates, and jaggery. Banana used here is Virupatchi variety, also known in certain places as pooja kadali.
Cardamom powder, sugar candy and edible camphor is also added.

Ayurvedic Note

1) Highly nourishing food.
2) Increases kapha.
3) Induces sleep.
4) At the same time heavy to digest.
5) Helps in improving heamoglobin.
6) Strenghtening food after strenous physical activity.
7) Edible camphor is used as it helps in digestion. All the other main ingredients are heavy to digest.

Note

1) Bananas should be very ripe.
2) The banana used here is 'Pooja kadali', which is exclusively used for poojas in temples.
3) 5 bananas weighed approximately 250 gms after peeling.

Method

1) Peel bananas and slice them. Mash lightly.
2) Add the rest of the ingredients, cover and keep aside overnight.
3) Can be transferred to airtight bottles and can be kept for about a month, even without refrigeration.

Serving Suggestions

Usually given as prasad after poojas.