Happy Sri Rama Navami ~ Vadapappu and Panakam as Naivedyam!

Sri Rama Rama Ramethi, Rame Rame ManoRame ....

Sahasthra Nama Thathulyam, Rama Nama Varanane .....

My favorite picture of Lord Sri Rama, we all have this same picture at home

Happy Sri Rama Navami Everyone. Sri Rama Navami is so special at moms place as this is kind of a big festival. At dad's shop, we will do the pooja in a grandeur with lots of prasads( naivedyams ) like Panakam, Vadapappu, Kajjayam, Vada, Pulihora, Fruits and Coconuts. All these will be served to everyone in a plantain leaf which is then placed on top of a handfan made of Palm tree leaves( Thataku Visana Karralu ). As Sri Rama Navami comes during the months of peak summer, we give out these hand fans along with the prasad to everyone. And dad still does celebrate the festival the same way even now. Here are two of the most popular Naivedyams( offerings ) for Srirama Navami, Panakam and Vadapappu. Panakam is jaggery( gur ) water with some spices. This panakam cools your body is very good during summer ( vedini thaggisthundi, chalava chesthundi )

How to Make Panakam:

• This Panakam is a must for Sri Rama Navami
• You need to soak Jaggery / Gur in water, once its melted add a tsp of ghee, crushed cardamom, and ground pepper. I usually put all the ingredients in a bowl even before starting the pooja, and by the time its time for naivedyam, panakam will be read

How to Make Vadapappu:

• Vadapappu is a very easy naivedyam, clean the yellow moong dal, wash with water and then soak in enough water for around 1-2 hours. Once you are able to cut the dal with your nails, then its ready for naivedyam.
• In this vadapappu, we usually add some fresh coconut pieces, chopped raw mango, lots of lime juice, red chilli powder and salt.. Mouth watering!
  

P.S. Everyone has unique taste palette, so please adjust the ingredients according to your taste.