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Why Panakam Is Offered To Narasimha Avatar Of Bhagavan Vishnu?

Panakam (panaka or pangam) is an important offering to Narasimha Avatar of Bhagavan Vishnu. The drink is offered to keep the ferocious Narasimha calm and also to keep him cool. Narasimha appeared on earth with unimaginable anger. His anger did not subside even after annihilating demon Hiranyakashipu. Still fuming with anger, he is believed to have offered nectar by Devas or demigods.

Narasimha then said that he should be offered nectar in Krita Yuga to bring down his anger; ghee in Treta Yuga, milk in Dwapara Yuga and Panakam in Kali Yuga.

Panakam is made using lemon juice, jaggery, ginger powder, cardamom powder, black pepper and water and is offered to deities in summer months and almost all days in certain Narasimha temples. It is an important offering on Narasimha Jayanti day (May).

Panakam is an important offering on Rama Navami day in South India.