By Heta Joshi
March 7, 2024
Mahashivratri is an auspicious festival in the Hindu calendar as it marks the day of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s marriage. To celebrate this day, several “bhog prasads” are offered to Lord Shiva to seek His blessings. Let’s explore some traditional Shivratri prasads.
This traditional sweet concoction of “panch,” meaning five ingredients—milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar—is believed to be a favourite of Lord Shiva.
This sweet treat is prepared by roasting makhanas in ghee and blending them with nuts, milk, sugar, and dry fruits to form a creamy pudding-like dish.
A staple in northern India, panjiri is a crumbled form of laddoo; it is crafted from ghee and a generous helping of nuts, including cashews and almonds.
Payasam is a luscious sweet dish wherein rice is soaked in milk to form a decadent pudding; it is typically garnished with nuts like pistachios and cashews.
Famous in Varanasi, this crispy pancake is made from milk and khoya; it is considered one of Lord Shiva’s favourite treats, making it a popular prasad offering.
Make velvety soojhi halwa, besan halwa, or atta halwa, known as “sheera” in Gujarat, to satiate Lord Shiva’s sweet tooth; ensure to douse the halwa in loads of ghee.
Thandai is regarded as one of the most beloved drinks of Lord Shiva; douse it with bhaang and offer it to the deity to earn His goodwill.