Significance of Panchamrutha

Panch means 5 and amrutha means nectar of immortality, beverage of the gods in sanskrit. Panchamrutha abhisheka is a hindu ritual performed at all homes and temples, where the idols are bathed with Milk, Curds, Honey, Sugar and Ghee /clarified Butter with the chanting of Mantras.

Panchamrutha is also called 'Charnamrutha' in some parts of India. Often Basil (Tulasi) leaves and dry fruits are also added in Panchamrutha.Basil makes the Panchamrutha even more holy as goddess Laxmi is said to reside in Tulsi plant, and the Basil or Tulsi was one of the 14 Gems that was obtained out of the churning of the milky way or the Samudra Manthana. 

Significance of panchamrutha:

• Milk is for the blessing of purity and piousness.

• Yogurt is for prosperity and progeny.

• Honey is for sweet speech.

• Ghee is for victory.

• Sugar is for happiness.

• Water is for purity.

When ripe fruits of banana and mangoes are used in the ritual, it is known as ‘PHALA PANCHAMRUTHA’, here PHALA means fruit. After every ingredient ‘SHUDHODAKA SNANA’ i.e., pure water is poured on the idols. Sometimes , ‘PHALA NEERA’ i.e., tender coconut water is also used to bathe the idols.

After the abhisheka the idols are cleaned and beautifully decorated. A MAHA MANGALARATHI  is performed. A spoonful of panchamrutha is offered to the devotees.