Vadapappu and Paanakam for Srirama Navami

Wish you all a very happy SRIRAMA NAVAMI!!

Vadapappu and Paanakam are the main dishes offered to God on Srirama Navami. Vadapappu is said to be Goddess Sitadevi’s favorite and Paanakam is said to be Lord Srirama’s favorite.

Vadapappu

Ingredients:

• ½ cup Pesarapappu (Moong Daal), soaked for an hour
• 2 tbsp grated Coconut
• 1 or 2 finely chopped Green Chili
• 1 or 2 tsp grated Mango (can be substituted with 1 tsp of Lemon Juice)
• A handful of finely chopped Cilantro (Optional)
• Salt

Preparation:

Mix everything together and offer to God. This makes a good snack too!!

Paanakam

Ingredients:

• ½ cup grated Jaggery (Bellam)
• 2 cups Water
• ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
• ½ tsp Cardamom Powder
• 1 tsp Lemon Juice
• A pinch of Sonth Powder (Sonti, Dry Ginger Powder)

Preparation:

Add jaggery + water in a bowl and bring to a boil. While boiling, add cardamom powder + pepper powder + sonth powder and mix well. Just before turning off the flame add lemon juice and stir well.

Offer the delicious paanakam to God. When serving, add some ice cubes if desired. This paanakam is said to have cooling effect on our body.