India Travel Articles

Top 10 Holy Foods (Temple Prasad) in India

Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra: At Vaishno Devi the Prasad has to be bought. Devotees mainly buy from the Bhaint Shops managed by the Shrine board. The Prasad consist of sugar balls, puffed rice, dry apple, dry coconut etal. They are beautifully packed in eco-friendly jute bags in various denominations. There is also facility of despatching prasad by speed-post.

Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati

Sri Vari Laddu better known as Tirupati Laddoo is offered as Prasadam to the devotees after the completion of worship of Lord Venkateswara. Tirupati Laddoo essentially made in 2 types is distinct in terms of size and flavour. Recently Tirupati Laddoos have been awarded geographical copyright.

Mahadeva Temple, Mazhuvanchery, Thrissur

At the Lord Shiva Temple situated in the campus of National Heritage Centre (NHC) at Mazhuvanchery Village near Kechery in Thrissur, Prasad distributed to the devotees include textbooks, CDs, DVDs writing material and informative brochures as Prasad. The temple authorities believe that disseminating knowledge is actual Prasadam.

Sree Krishna Temple, Amablapuzha

In the famous Sree Krishna temple at Amablapuzha located near Thiruvananthapuram, Palpayasam is a sacred offering made to the deity. The Payasam is made of rice, milk and sugar and distributed to the devotees. Its preparation is a closely guarded secret handed down to traditional cooks over generations. Devotees vouch for its distinct taste.

Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Palani

The Panchamritham Prasadam of Lord Murugan temple in the Palani hills, Tamil Nadu is very popular. Made out of five fruits, jaggery and sugar candy it is considered as the oldest form of jam. The Panchamritham is now manufactured in an automated plant located on the foothills of the temple.

Azhagar Kovil, Madurai

Azhagar Kovil aka Alagar temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is situated 21 km from Madurai. The Kallazhagar temple distributes Dosas as Prasadam to the devout. The grains offered to the temple are made into crispy and unique Dosa. It is offered to Gods first and then distributed to visitors.

Jagannath Temple, Puri

In Jagannath Temple Puri, the Prasad is called "Mahaprasad". The temple kitchen of Lord Jagannath offers food to I lakh people daily making it perhaps the largest kitchen in the world Mahaprasada consists of 56 varieties of cooked and uncooked dishes are offered to the deities first and then sold to public at Ananda Bazaar.

Kamakhya Devi Temple, Guwahati

Every year during the Ambubachi days, coinciding with the seventh day of the Assamese month of Aahar, a 3 day fair is held at the Kamakhya Temple. For 3 days the temple remains closed. On the 4th day there is heavy rush to receive an unique Prasad– small pieces of cloth supposedly moist with the menstrual fluid of the omnipotent Goddess Kamakhya.

Karni Mata Mandir, Bikaner

In the famous Karni Mata Mandir synonymous with rats moving freely inside the temple complex the Prasad offered to the devotees is one of its kind. Prasad is offered first to the rats and then it is given to the devotees. It is believed that the Prasad laced with rat saliva brings good luck.

Khabees Baba Temple, Sandana, Sitapur District, UP

In Khabees Baba temple in Sitapur district, around 80 km from Lucknow there are no idols or priests. Devotees offer liquour to two slipper-shaped structures on a raised platform to worship a clairvoyant saint living here 150 years ago. A portion of the liquor offered is collected and distributed as Prasad to the devotees.