PAANAKAM

Sri Rama Navami is the birth anniversary of Sri Rama celebrated by devotees all over the world. It falls on the ninth day of the bright fortnight when the asterism Punavasu(Geminorum) is in the ascendancy. The observance of this Vrata is said to absolve one from all sins.

The Lord Mahavishnu, one of the Hindu Trinity, representing the preservative aspect of the universe as in his previous incarnations (avatars), descended into the world to kill the ten-headed Asura named Ravana who was an epitome of the ten ahamkaras (egoism) of men. When one is under the sway of the ahamkaras, the power of discrimination between right and wrong is destroyed. Consequently the Lord's light has to descend on him to destroy these ahamkaras. 

During Rama Navami Hanuman is worshipped for his unflinching devotion to Rama, and his worship forms an important part of the Rama Navami celebrations. 

To get the blessings of Shri Rama offer Paanakam, Gosumalli,neermor(salted lassi) and panchamrutham.

Let's see the recipe of panakam.

INGREDIENTS

Jaggery,powdered                                    - 1/2 cup

Lemon                                                       - 1

Elachi/cardamom powder                        - 1/4 tsp

Dry ginger powder/sukku podi                 - 1/4 tsp

Pachai karpooram/edible camphor           - A  pinch

Salt                                                             - A pinch

Water                                                          - 2 cups

METHOD

.

Boil the water and add the jaggery in water and add powdered elachi,dry ginger powder,edible camphor,salt.

Add lemon juice to it and Strain it using a strainer, add  the elachi powder to add more flavour.

Panakam is ready for nivedyam.