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[shahrukh]

Prasad is offered in Hindu temples as holy and divine gifts from the gods that are seen as blessings and something that one must not refuse. These types of prasads are so interesting that refusing them would be silly.

1. Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha

Mahaprasada are offerings of food to Jagannath and his siblings who are worshipped in the temple. These offerings are made 6 times a day and are simple because the food is cooked in earthen pots over a fire. The food is first offered to the deities and is then served to worshippers who come to the temple seeking blessings. The mahaprasada is served on a banana leaf and can contain up to 56 food items.

[shahrukh]

2. Sri Venkateshwara Temple, Tirupati

The Tirupati laddoo is renowned as it is not available anywhere else is India as it has a geographical copyright and a distinct flavour. The laddoos are available in 2 sizes. It takes up to one tonne of besan flour, 10 tonnes of sugar, 700 kg of cashew nuts, 150 kg of cardamom, 300 to 500 litres of ghee, 500 kg of sugar candy and 540 kg of raisins on a daily basis to prepare this gift from the gods. The recipe to making it is more than 300 years old.

[shahrukh]

3. Mahadeva Temple, Thrissur, Kerala

This Shiva temple on the campus of the National Heritage Centre in the village of Mazhuvanchery distributes educational textbooks, CDs, writing material and brochures as prasadam. The temple trust believes education and literacy is the best blessing from God. We completely agree with them. Kudos!

[shahrukh]

4. Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra, Jammu & Kashmir

Vaishno Devi receives several devotees every year and their prasad might be one of the reasons why. The prasad is enclosed in a plastic packet and contains a mixture of moori (puffed rice), shredded coconut, sugar balls, and pieces of dried apple. The prasad can always be delivered via speed post.

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5. Azhagar Kovil, Tamil Nadu

This temple is situated 21 km from Madurai. Many farmers in the area bring grains such rice and pulses to the temple as offerings which are then made into crispy dosas as prasadam.

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6. Khabees Baba Temple, Uttar Pradesh

Khabees Baba was a local saint in the Sitapur district who died while worshipping Shiva. He was known to have healing powers and a fondness for fine liquor. There are no priests in this temple nor is there any deity. Two slipper shaped structures in the temple symbolise the feet of the Baba over which devotees pour the liquor. Some of the drip off is collected and offered to devotees as prasad. Do remember not to obstruct the ritual pouring of the liquor with your face.



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