The concept of Prasadam or Prasad in a temple or Gurudwara may be as old as the concept of religion itself. Leaving a temple precinct without receiving Prasadam can be compared with lighting up the best fragrance agarbatti and not enjoying its fragrance. Prasadam, as a part of the Hindu religion and culture, plays a significant role in complementing one’s pilgrimage. According to Hindu scriptures, a food item, when offered to God before anyone consumes it, becomes consecrated in the form of God’s blessings and is called Prasadam. As per common Hindu beliefs, food items such as sweets, fruits, and even cooked food items, when touched against the mouth of the deity’s idol or simply placed in front of the idol along with chanting of holy prayers become consecrated and suitable to be distributed as Prasadam amongst devotees.
Prasadam is usually prepared inside the temple, Gurudwara, or the place of worship and is distributed amongst the devotees after Bhog which means after being tasted by God. Devotees can too bring sweets, cooked food, milk, water, or fruits from outside which can then be offered to God and distributed amongst the devotees as Prasadam. Hinduism permits only hygienically cooked and pure vegetarian food to be offered as Prasadam. Though in a few Indian cultures for instance Bengalis, non-vegetarian food is also offered as Prasadam. Besides the various items in a Puja thali including flowers, sweets, premium Agarbatti, Dhoop, and fruits are commonly used as Prasadam throughout India.
Fruits are known to be the purest form of Prasadam owing to their healthy, hygienic, and organic qualities. Fruits also have some symbolic references when used in the form of Prasadam. For some people, the act of including their favorite fruit in Prasadam denotes giving up on the material pleasures of life to attain Moksha or liberation from the cycle of life and death. While for others, it may simply mean offering to God, the purest, healthiest, and most organic form of food, devoid of any artificial or man-made ingredients. A wide variety of fruits including Apples, Bananas, Figs, Coconuts, Pomegranates, Grapes, Pears, Apricots, Kiwis, Chikoo, etc. can be commonly seen in a Puja (prayer) alongside sweets, flowers, incense sticks, and other items. Symbolizing mother nature in its purest, sweetest, and ripened form, fruits have a very special place as Prasadam. It is the sheer love of fruits in Prasadam that inspired the fruit series incense stick collection from one of the leading Agarbatti brands – Prabhu Shriram Premium Agarbatti and Dhoop. The Prasadam Agarbatti collection is one of the Best fragrances Agarbatti available online from the house of Prabhu Shriram which includes the most popular Apple fragrance, Muskmelon Agarbatti, and Lychee flavored Agarbatti. Offering the widest collection of fruit-based premium agarbatti, the Prasadam collection from Prabhu Shriram Premium Agarbatti and Dhoop also includes Pineapple, Mango and Strawberry flavored incense sticks.
