The Sweet Offerings of Sabarimala
At Sabarimala, devotion is not just expressed through prayers and rituals—it is also reflected in the flavours of the temple’s traditional offerings. While aravana is the most famous prasadam that devotees take home, the temple prepares several other sweet offerings every day.
Three other important offerings—idichupizhinja payasam, ellu payasam, and vella nivedyam—are part of the daily rituals inside the sanctum.
From early morning to late evening, each pooja has a special offering prepared in the temple kitchen, each with its own meaning and tradition.
Idichupizhinja Payasam
Offered during the usha pooja at 7:30 a.m. This payasam is made by grinding coconut to extract the first and second milk, which is then cooked with jaggery.
Aravana
Served during the uccha pooja at noon, this is the most well-known prasadam at Sabarimala.
Vella Nivedyam
A simple sweet offering that is given to the deity during all poojas.
Ellu Payasam
Offered during the athazha pooja at 9:15 p.m. Unlike the other payasams, ellu payasam is not liquid—it is made mainly from sesame seeds, says temple tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru.
During this pooja, the deity is also offered panakam (a drink made from cumin, jaggery, dry ginger and pepper), along with appam and ada.
At 3 a.m., when the temple opens, panchamritham is used for abhishekam. This sacred mixture contains five main ingredients—jaggery, kadali banana, raisins, ghee, and honey—along with rock sugar, cardamom powder, and dry ginger powder for added flavour.
Among all the offerings, aravana continues to be the most popular, followed closely by panchamritham, which is sold in half-size bottles priced at ₹125.