After Tirupati laddu , the Palani Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple panchamirtham might become the second temple prasadam to get a ‘geographical tag’. Joint Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) on Wednesday filed the application seeking Geographical Indication (GI) tag status for the temple’s famous prasadam – the panchamirtham . The application was accepted after scrutiny. Incidentally, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasathanam (TTD) applied for a GI tag for its laddus in 2008 and received it in 2010.
The application has been filed with A.R. Chinnaraja Naidu, Officer in-charge of GI tag affairs in the office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.
In the case status filed along with the application, it has been stated that panchamirtham came into being in 9{+t}{+h}Century AD when Chera king Cheraman Peruman established the temple. One can find references to it in ancient literature such as Nakkeerar’s Thirumurugattrupadai , Arunagirinathar’s Thiruppugazh , Mampala Kaichingarayar’s Palani Venba Anthathi , and Balasubramania Kavirayar’s Palani Temple Thalavaralaru; songs written by Pamban Swamigal also refer to the prasadam .
Hoary past
The application states that people worshipping Lord Muruga always lived in/around a geographical region called kurinji, which basically referred to a mountainous area and landscape surrounding/adjacent to it (Malaiyum Malai Saarntha Paguthigalum). These people, as a gesture of their fondness and gratitude to Lord Muruga, offered natural products such as banana, honey, milk, milk-based products and cardamom to Lord Muruga. And, the ingredients always numbered five ( pancha). Hence, the name panchamirtham .
Despite the increase in demand and the resultant automation of some processes, the panchamirtham continues to retain its unique taste and flavour, the application states. On normal days, 44 persons are involved in its production, and on festival days, 88 people.
According to Mr. Chinnaraja Naidu, though the application is complete in all respects, since panchamirtham is a food item meant for human consumption, an expert committee will be constituted to evaluate the product.
The findings will be published in the GI–Online journal. Objections or counter claims will also be sought.
In the absence of any, the panchamirtham will get the GI tag status in a year’s time.
