Charnamrit (Panchamrit) Recipe

Learn how to make authentic homemade Charnamrit, the sacred sweet mixture offered in Hindu ceremonies. This easy recipe combines five pure ingredients—milk, yogurt, honey, sugar, and ghee—creating the best traditional Panchamrit with perfect balance of flavors and spiritual significance.

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

10 mins

Cook Time:

0 mins

Serves:

4 servings

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">250ml whole milk</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp plain yogurt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp honey</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">4-5 fresh tulsi (holy basil) leaves (optional)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">A small pinch of ground cardamom (optional)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">A few strands of saffron (optional)</li></ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size:

🔥 Calories:

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Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Silver or brass bowl (traditional serving vessel)</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Small mixing bowl</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Small whisk</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Begin by ensuring all your ingredients are at room temperature, especially the milk and yogurt. Room temperature ingredients will blend more harmoniously, creating a smoother texture in your final Charnamrit.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Pour the milk into your mixing bowl (preferably a traditional silver or brass vessel if performing a ritual). The quality of milk is important here - whole milk provides the richness that makes Charnamrit special.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Add the yogurt to the milk and whisk gently until completely incorporated. The natural acidity in yogurt helps balance the sweetness while adding a pleasant tangy note to the mixture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Warm the ghee slightly (if solid) until just melted but not hot. Add it to the milk mixture in a thin stream while whisking gently. The ghee will create small golden droplets on the surface - this is traditional and desired.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Add the honey and sugar, stirring until completely dissolved. The combination of these two sweeteners provides a complex sweetness that single sweeteners cannot achieve. Take care not to overmix, as we want to maintain the distinct layers of flavors.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>If using optional ingredients, tear the tulsi leaves into small pieces and add them to the mixture. Sprinkle the ground cardamom and add a few strands of saffron. These sacred additions enhance both the spiritual significance and the aromatic quality of your Charnamrit.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Allow the Charnamrit to sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to harmonize and the tulsi leaves to release their essence into the mixture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Serve the Charnamrit at room temperature in small quantities, traditionally offered first to deities during worship before being distributed as prasad (blessed food) to devotees. When serving, ensure each portion contains a bit of each ingredient, especially the ghee that may float to the top.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Charnamrit?

Traditional Charnamrit (Panchamrit) uses five sacred ingredients: milk, yogurt, ghee (clarified butter), honey, and sugar. Optional additions include tulsi (holy basil) leaves, cardamom, and saffron strands for enhanced flavour and spiritual significance.

How to cook Charnamrit at home?

Learn how to cook Charnamrit by simply combining room temperature ingredients in the correct order - milk, yogurt, melted ghee, honey and sugar. No actual cooking is required; just gentle mixing to preserve the distinct essence of each sacred ingredient. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Why is Panchamrit considered sacred in Hindu rituals?

Panchamrit holds spiritual significance as each ingredient represents one of the five "nectars" - milk symbolises purity, yogurt represents prosperity, ghee signifies clarity, honey stands for unity, and sugar embodies sweetness in life. Together, they form a sacred offering that connects devotees to the divine.

Can I make Panchamrit in advance for pujas and ceremonies?

Yes, you can prepare Panchamrit up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it. However, traditional preparation recommends making it fresh before worship. Allow refrigerated Panchamrit to return to room temperature before offering, as cold offerings are generally avoided in Hindu rituals.

What are the health benefits of the ingredients in this sacred offering?

The natural ingredients in Panchamrit offer numerous health benefits - milk and yogurt provide calcium and probiotics, ghee contains beneficial fatty acids, honey offers antioxidants, and tulsi leaves have adaptogenic properties. This combination creates a nutritious offering that nourishes both body and spirit.

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