Hanuman Jayanti is a religious festival of devotion and power, celebrated with prayers, singing, and offerings. Kheer is one of the few bhogs prepared for Lord Hanuman. This rice pudding (made with milk, rice, sugar, and flavored with cardamom or saffron) serves as a symbol of purity and dedication to your lord! Offering kheer to Hanuman can bring courage, wisdom, and peace in exchange.
Kheer has been a traditional Indian custom for centuries. In classical and almighty scriptures, rice and milk are described together as being a revered food and are served in the temples with great affection. On Hanuman Jayanti, we make kheer and present it to Lord Hanuman with devotion as a bhog. This is the sweetness of the Lord and the essence of his devotion; we believe this simple yet powerful dish embodies that.
Preparation of Kheer
Kheer is made by boiling rice in milk to create a soft, creamy texture. Sugar is added to keep it sweet, while cardamom and saffron provide fragrance, and dry fruits (almonds, cashews, and raisins) are added as additional ingredients. The slow warming of milk allows it to thicken and absorb the flavors, making kheer a soothing (and festive) meal. Devotees prepare it with care, avoiding onion, garlic, or any non-vegetarian ingredients.
Rituals and Celebrations
Kheer is offered on Hanuman Jayanti in combination with flowers, sindoor, and fruits during puja. Then, devotees recite the Hanuman Chalisa and perform aarti before presenting the bhog; however, after the rituals, kheer is distributed among all the devotees to spread and celebrate shared blessings. In many temples, large quantities of kheer are made available so all can benefit from taking part in the ceremony.
Regional Observances
- North India: Rice kheer with cardamom and dry fruits is also common.
- South India: Payasam, often made with jaggery instead of sugar.
- West Bengal: Payesh flavored with date palm jaggery is offered.
- Kerala: For ada pradhaman, rice flakes and coconut milk are used.
Kheer as bhog to Hanuman is more than a tasty dish. It symbolizes love, purity, and community during Hanuman Jayanti. This kheer as prasad also conveys Hanuman’s blessings to all and reminds us that faith and devotion are sweet.
