Grand festivities of the Navratri have already begun in India and parts of Nepal. The nine-day celebrations would culminate with the 'Vidyarambam' ceremony, on the Vijayadasami day, when young kids will be initiated into the world of letters and knowledge.
Like all Indian festivals, food plays a major role in highlighting the real spirit of Navratri. However, more than the savoury dishes, the season of Navratri is known for special desserts and sweets.
Fresh honey is often the star of the Navratri celebrations as it is the main ingredient in the 'thrimadhuram,' a special sweet dish which is offered to the idol during Navratri pooja. Besides, a gold ring is dipped in honey and the alphabets are written on the kids' tongues with it during the vidyarambam ceremony.
It is a popular belief that thrimadhuram or 'panchamrutham' is the favourite sweet dish of goddess devi.
Thrimadhuram, made using three of the most organic and naturally sweet ingredients, is considered the purest treat that is offered to devi. The ingredients that are used to prepare thrimadhuram should be organic and fresh to enhance the flavour of the dish.
How to make thrimadhuram
There are 7 to 8 different ways in which thrimadhuram can be prepared, owing to the regional varieties and differences in ingredients. The most popular way is to make thrimadhuram using honey, rock candies, and raisins.
In another version, honey, kadali bananas, and raisins are the main ingredients. It can also be made using honey, kadali bananas, and rock sugar candies. You could replace honey with fresh ghee or rock sugar candies with jaggery.
To prepare the thrimadhuram, take sliced kadali bananas in a bowl and add rock sugar candies and raisins on top of it. Pour fresh honey or ghee until all the ingredients are well soaked.
Health tip
Though this recipe uses fresh and organic ingredients and has religious significance as well, it must be consumed in small portions. Having too much thrimadhuram may disrupt your regular diet patterns and may not be as healthy.