Panaka or Panakam is an Indian Drink made during Sri Rama Navami and is a popular drink made during Summer. Panakam is an easy drink to make.
Happy Srirama Navami to all my readers!
Sri Rama Navami falls on the ninth day of Hindu lunar year. Navami means the ninth day in the hindu calendar. This day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Rama. This day also marks the end of the nine day festival called Vasanthothsavam. Vasantham means Spring, Vasanthothsavam means festival of spring. This day starts with Ugadi (Telugu new year). On the 9th day, it is celebrated as Rama Navami. The prasadam made on the day are normally those that are coolant in nature
I remember this day more clearly because of the wonderful Panakam we get to drink on this day. It is made only on this day and never after that. I really think we should include it as a regular one as Panakam is an excellent drink. Amma always celebrated this festival in a grand way.
On my part, I was really very happy that I finally made some of these today. I confirmed with Athamma if she makes anything special or specific on this day, she said I can go ahead with whatever my mom makes.
So I made Panakam, Majiga and Vadapappu.
The following are the traditional recipes prepared during Sri Rama Navami at my parents place.
Panakam
Majjiga - Andhra Spiced Buttermilk (Salted Yogurt Drink)
Vadapappu
Senaga pappu Payasam
Senaga Pappu Vada | Masala Vada
Pachimirapakaya pappu | Dal with Green Chilis
Rice
Rasam
Curds/ Yogurt
Vadapappu is normally offered as just the dal. It is then seasoned and offered to everybody.
Panakam / Panaka
1/2 cup Jaggery powdered
200 ml Water
2 tbsp Lemon
2 nos Cardamom
Method to prepare:
Powder the jaggery well and mix in the water. Dissolve it well. Filter it in a muslin cloth or a filter.
Then add lemon juice and cardamom powder. Mix well and offer as neivedyam.
This is normally served chill, stored in earthen pots which makes it cool naturally. Else refrigerate to serve chill.
With the sun showing up very bright, this drink cools the body.
Vada pappu (Soaked Split yellow moong dal)
What you see in the picture is how it is offered to God, I couldn't take the salad picture.
Ingredients Needed
Split Yellow Moong dal - 1/2 cup
Grated coconut - 2-3 tbsp
Finely chopped green chilies - 1
Finely chopped Mango pieces - 2 - 3 tsp
Finely chopped Cucumber - 2 -3 tsp
Salt to taste.
Fresh chopped cilantro to garnish.
Method to prepare:
Wash and soak the dal in water for half an hour. Then drain it.
After it was offered as prasadam, it is normally prepared as a salad.
To make the Salad, all other ingredients are added to the dal as such and combined well.
This dal is eaten raw and uncooked.
I hope everybody had a good festival celebrations, do share how your day was!
Recipe
Panakam / Panaka Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Jaggary powdered
- 200 ml Water
- 2 tbsp Lemon
- 1/4 tsp Cardamom Powder
Instructions
- Powder the jaggary well and mix in the water. Dissolve it well. Filter it in a muslin cloth or a filter.
- Then add lemon juice and cardamom powder. Mix well and offer as neivedyam.
- This is normally served chill, stored in earthen pots which makes it cool naturally. Else refrigerate to serve chill.
- With the sun showing up very bright, this drink cools the body.
Red Chillies says
Wishing you a very happy Sri rama navami, Srivalli.
notyet100 says
happy ram navami to you,,lovely post
Tina says
Its new to me.....Happy rama navami..
Priya says
Excellent neivedayam..
Parita says
Happy Ram Navami to you too! Everything looks so festive!
sra says
We add pieces of banana and coconut to the dal - ages since I had it.
Priya (Yallapantula) Mitharwal says
Srivalli, good neivaedyam. I will try chana dala vada.
Madhavi says
Happy Ramnavmi to you and ur family too :))