Payasam is a dessert made from milk, sugar or jaggery and vermicelli (Sevika) or other grains. It is also flavored with dried fruit, nuts, cardamom and saffron. It is frequently mentioned in the Ramayana and it is considered a divine offering. Today is made during occasions like pujas, festivals, birthday, births and anniversaries.
King Dasharatha performed Putra kaamesti, a pivotal Vedic ritual. It is a specialized Vedic fire (homam) performed to seek blessings for childbirth. This ritual is rooted in the Yajurveda and is conducted over four days, designed to propitiate Agni (God of Fire) and Lord Vishnu for blessing the couple with healthy progeny.
During the ceremony, a deity known as Prajyapataya Purush, divine heavenly being sent by Prajapati, the Vedic Lord of Creation to fulfill desires, emerged from the sacred fire bearing a golden vessel filled with divine dessert (Payasam). Dasharatha offered this sacred Payasam to his three queens, and they were blessed with sons.
Recipe for the Divine Payasam
- Vermicelli: half cup roasted
- Milk: 750 ml to 1 liter (full fat /full cream or plant based equivalent like OATLY! Deluxe)
- Sugar ½ cup or according to taste
- Ghee: 2 tablespoons (or coconut oil)
- Cashew: 1 tablespoon, broken
- Raisins: 1 tablespoon
- Cardamom powder
Instructions
- Roast dry fruits. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy, bottom pan. Add the cashews and roast until brown. Add the raisins and fry until they puff up. Remove them and set aside.
- Roast vermicelli in the same pan. Add the remaining oil and roast the vermicelli on low flame, until it turns golden brown.
- Boil oat milk. Pour the oat milk in a wide pan or pot and then let it simmer for ten minutes.
- Add the vermicelli to the boiling oat milk and stir continuously on a low flame, until it is soft and cooked.
- Add sugar and flavor, simmer for another five minutes, until the Payasam thickens.
- Stir in the cardamom powder.
- Remove from fire and add the cashews and raisins.
The Payasam will thicken as it cools. Serve hot or cold.
Dear ones, be adventurous. It is a delicious dessert and you can make it for all joyous and festive occasions.
Aim Hrim Klim
Picture by Vnair23 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link