Rama Navami, the celebration of Lord Rama’s birth, is incomplete without a refreshing glass of traditional Panakam drink. This sweet and spiced beverage is a staple in South Indian households during the festival, offering a perfect balance of taste and health benefits. The blend of jaggery, lemon, and spices makes Rama Navami Panakam not just delicious but also a natural coolant, perfect for the summer heat.
If you're wondering how to make Panakam at home, this simple recipe will guide you through the process. With just a handful of ingredients and modern kitchen appliances, you can prepare this sacred and flavourful drink effortlessly.
The Significance of Panakam in Rama Navami
In many Indian traditions, food is an integral part of religious celebrations. Traditional Panakam drink is a must-have offering (naivedyam) for Lord Rama on this auspicious day. It is believed that Panakam was offered to deities in ancient temples to cool them down in the scorching summer. The ingredients used in Panakam also have Ayurvedic benefits, helping with digestion and hydration.
Now, let’s get into the step-by-step process of how to make Panakam at home.
Homemade Panakam Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- ½ cup grated jaggery (or as per taste)
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon dry ginger powder (or freshly grated ginger)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper powder
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- A pinch of salt (optional)
- A few tulsi (holy basil) leaves for garnishing
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Dissolve the Jaggery:
Take a large bowl and mix the grated jaggery with water. Stir well until the jaggerydissolves completely. If needed, strain the mixture to remove impurities.
2. Add Spices for Flavour:
Mix in the dry ginger powder, black pepper powder, and cardamom powder. These ingredients not only enhance the taste but also aid digestion.
3. Balance the Taste:
Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to the mixture. This gives the Rama Navami Panakam a refreshing tangy taste. If you like, add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
4. Let It Rest:
Allow the Panakam to sit for at least 10-15 minutes. This helps the flavours to blend beautifully.
5. Garnish and Serve:
Pour the traditional Panakam drink into serving glasses and garnish with a few fresh tulsi leaves. You can also refrigerate it for a while before serving for a cool and soothing effect.
Other Offerings Served to Lord Rama Along with Panakam
Along with Panakam, several traditional dishes are offered to Lord Rama on Rama Navami as part of the naivedyam (sacred offering). Here are some of the popular items served along with traditional Panakam drink:
- Neer Mor (Spiced Buttermilk): A cooling drink made with buttermilk, salt, ginger, curry leaves, and green chilies. It complements Rama Navami Panakam and helps in digestion, making it a staple for the festival.
- Kosambari (Moong Dal Salad): A light and healthy salad made with soaked moong dal (yellow lentils), grated coconut, cucumber, and tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves.
- Sundal (Spiced Lentil Dish): Prepared using boiled chickpeas or black chana (kala chana), Sundal is seasoned with mustard seeds, green chilies, coconut, and curry leaves.
- Vada Paruppu (Soaked Moong Dal Offering): A simple and nutritious offering where moong dal is soaked and mixed with grated coconut and green chilies.
- Payasam (Kheer): A sweet pudding made with rice or vermicelli, jaggery, and coconut milk. Some variations include Chana Dal Payasam and Aval (Poha) Payasam, both popular for Rama Navami.
- Fruits and Dry Fruits: Fruits like bananas, mangoes, and dry fruits like cashews and almonds are also offered to Lord Rama as part of the prasadam.
Why Panakam is a Must-Have for Summer
Beyond its religious significance, Panakam recipe is a natural energy booster and an excellent summer cooler. Jaggery is rich in minerals, helping in hydration, while ginger and black pepper improve digestion. Lemon adds Vitamin C, making it an immunity-boosting drink. This simple yet powerful beverage is a great alternative to artificial summer coolers.
Wipro Mixer Grinder: Perfect for Grinding Spices
For a flavourful traditional Panakam drink, perfectly ground spices are essential. The Mixer Grinder makes this effortless with its powerful copper motor and deep flow breaker technology, ensuring smooth and consistent grinding.
Whether it’s black pepper, dry ginger, or cardamom for Rama Navami Panakam, this mixer grinder delivers fine results in seconds. Its stainless-steel blades and four versatile jars handle everything from coarse spice blends to fine pastes.
With superfast grinding and two years of warranty, Wipro makes preparing the Panakam recipe easier and more efficient than ever!
