Panchamrut Recipe (Panchamrit, Charnamrut)
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Panchamrut (also known as Panchamrit or Charnamrut) is a traditional Indian drink prepared as a prasad for Hindu pujas and religious rituals. It is made using 5 ingredients (Paanch Amrut) and is considered holy and sacred. Here is how to make it (vegetarian, gluten-free).
In my house, it is made along with Sooji Halwa and Panjiri for prasad (an offering to God).
My early memories of Panchamrut are not religious, but they are gastronomic. While growing up, my mom would arrange a few elaborate poojas a few times a year. A pandit ji was called to perform the pooja, and everyone we knew was invited to join and have prasad later.
Panchamrut was always made as a prasad, and while it is supposed to be had in small quantities in small cups or bowls, we would ask Mom to keep some aside for us so we could drink it in tall glasses later. It tastes so good 🙂
Now that I arrange these poojas at my home myself, this ritual has not changed. And I have now heard from many people that they do this too. Please let me know in the comments if you are one of those people.
About Panchamrut
Panchamrut, also known as Panchamrit or Charnamrit, is a beverage specifically prepared for Hindu puja, auspicious occasions, and religious rituals. In my house, it is made for Satyanarayan Pooja, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Shivratri.
Word panchamrut is a Sanskrit word, and in the Sanskrit language, Panch’ means ‘Five’, and ‘Amrit’ means ‘The Nectar Of Gods’.
Panchamrit is made using 5 main ingredients, which, when combined in the right quantity, enhance each other’s quality.
This beverage is considered holy and sacred, and is used in all Hindu puja, especially during the Abhishek of Hindu gods. After the pooja commences, it is distributed among everyone attending as prasad.
This panchamrut recipe can be easily doubled or tripled according to your requirements. Ensure you adhere to the proportions.
Ingredients
Panchamrut has five main ingredients: yogurt (dahi), milk, honey, tulsi (Indian holy basil), and ghee. Each ingredient has its own purpose, and it is said that when these are combined together, their powers increase manifold.
It is believed that the gods attained immortality after drinking Panchamrut. It is therefore also considered an elixir of the gods.
Note – I see many panchamrut recipes floating around with sugar as one of the 5 essential ingredients of panchamrut. But sugar was never a part of it. Humans learned to make sugar much later than the Panchmrut.
The ingredients are traditionally mixed and served in a silver or bronze vessel, as these metals are also considered good for your body.
Milk – It symbolizes purity. Cow milk is used to make panchamrut. It is not boiled and used in the raw form.
Honey – It is said to grant a sweet and kind speech.
Yogurt (Dahi, Curd) – It is said to aid procreation. Use yogurt made using cow’s milk.
Tulsi (Indian Holy Basil) – It is said to bring happiness.
Ghee marks knowledge. Use ghee made using cow’s milk.
Apart from the above-mentioned essential ingredients, nuts are also added to it for a nice texture. I have added almonds, cashew nuts, chironji, but you can add any nut you like. I also add raisins and shredded dry coconut to my charnamrut.
Ganga jal is added to it to purify it. You will get a bottle of Ganga jal at any Indian grocery or pooja store.
In South India, people add chopped ripe bananas and chopped fresh coconut to their panchamrut. In Kerala, some households add tender coconut water to this prasad, also called Panchakavya.
How To Make Panchamrit
Add the following ingredients to a large bowl and mix well.
- 18 oz (½ liter) cow’s milk
- 7 oz (200 g) cow’s milk yogurt
- 3 tablespoon honey
- 10-12 tulsi leaves (roughly torn)
- 1 teaspoon cow’s milk ghee
- 10-12 chopped makhana
- 1 teaspoon chironji
- 1 tablespoon chopped almonds
- 1 tablespoon chopped cashew nuts
- 1 tablespoon shredded dry coconut
- 1 tablespoon chopped raisins
- 1 teaspoon Ganga jal
Tip – Traditionally silver or bronze bowl is used to make the charnamrit, but I used a glass bowl as that is what I had handy
Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving. Pour panchamrut in small bowls or glasses and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Panchamrut Abhishek is a Hindu ritual where the god idols (lord shiva) are bathed with panchamrut. It is performed at temples and homes. Mantras are chanted throughout the process, and once the pooja commences, the charnamrut is distributed as prasad.
Although honey is traditionally used, you can also opt for sugar or jaggery for variation.
Since the milk is not boiled to make it, the shelf life of pancahmrit is very short. It should be finished within a day of making it.
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Panchamrut Recipe (Panchamrit, Charnamrut)
Ingredients
- 18 ounces cow milk (½ liter, do not boil the milk)
- 7 ounces cow milk plain yogurt (dahi) (200 g)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 10-12 Indian holy basil (tulsi) (torn into small pieces)
- 1 teaspoon cow milk ghee
- 10-12 foxnuts (makhana) (cut into small pieces)
- 1 teaspoon chironji
- 1 tablespoon chopped almonds
- 1 tablespoon chopped cashew nuts
- 1 tablespoon shredded dry coconut
- 1 tablespoon chopped raisins
- 1 teaspoon Ganga jal
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix well. Try to use a silver or a bronze bowl to mix the ingredients for the best result.
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving.
- Pour panchamrut in small bowls or glasses and serve.
How long can we store Panchamrut in fridge?
1 day since milk is not boiled.
nice recipe
Thnx Pooja
P.s. how do you calculate the calories?
I have a calorie counter.
thats an interesting post dear 🙂