Palani Panchamirtham

Palani Panchamirtham
Geographical indication
Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple atop the Palani Hills
DescriptionPanchamrita from Palani region
TypeFoodstuff
AreaPalani, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Registered2019–20
Palani temple prasadham panchamirtham

Palani Panchamirtham is a type of panchamrita, an Indian sweet, and Prasadam of the Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.[1] It was declared as a Geographical indication in 2019-20 and was the first temple prasadam to be accorded the status.[2][3]

Description

Panchamirtham is an Indian sweet made up of five traditional ingredients. Palani Panchamirtham is made up of five ingredients namely banana, ghee, honey, jaggery and cardamom. In addition, other ingredients like date fruits, Kismis raisins and sugar candies are added.[4][5] A special cultivar of plantain called the Virupakshi Hill Banana, grown in the Palani Hills in the Western Ghats is used. The fruits are known for its unique flavor and sweetness.[6] The hill banana breed contains less moisture content properties which make the panchamirtham in conditions suitable for consumption over a long period, without refrigeration.[7] Sirumalai Hill Banana which is also grown in Kongu region has similar properties and also used in occasion of shortage of Viruppachi breed.[8] Khandsari sugar from Kangeyam region is used in the preparation.[5][9] Similar recipe is used in various local temple prasadams in Kongu Nadu region.

The Panchamirtham is a abhiseka prasadam at the Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani.[10] The temple sells about 20,000 to 30,000 jars a day on average and more than 1 lakh jars per day on special occasions.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Application details". Government of India. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  2. ^ Geographical indications in India (Report). Government of India. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Palani panchamirtham, the first temple prasadam to bag the GI tag". The Hindu. 15 May 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  4. ^ "Official Website of Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy Temple, Palani - Facilities: Panchamirtham". Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Recipe for Panchamirtham of Palani Devasthanam". palani.org. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  6. ^ "Virupakshi bananas and Pazhani panchamrutham". Patcheri. 29 August 2022. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  7. ^ "What makes Palani 'panchamirtham' unique?". The Hindu. 15 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  8. ^ "சிறுமலை வாழையில் இவ்வளவு பலன்களா..." News18 தமிழ் (in Tamil). 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  9. ^ "Palani Panchamirtham - Palani Prasadam,Panchamirtham". Palani. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  10. ^ S.R., Ramanujam (2014). The Lord of Vengadam. Partridge India. p. 185. ISBN 978-1-482-83462-8. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2020.