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GI For Panchamirtham Of Palani Temple

  • 14 Aug 2019

  • On 14th August, 2019, the famous PalaniPanchamirtham, given as ‘prasadam’ at the Murugan temple there, has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
  • This is the first time a temple ‘prasadam’ from Tamil Nadu(TN) has been bestowed with the GI tag.
  • Interestingly, the geographical area for production of PalaniPanchamirtham is not just the temple, but the entire Palani town in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu.
  • Madurai Jasmine and the Nilgiris Tea are some of the other products from TN that have earned the GI tag.

Palani Panchamirtham:

  • It is a combination of five natural substances - banana, jaggery, cow ghee, honey and cardamom. Dates and diamond sugar candies are added for flavour.
  • It is an ‘abhishegaprasadam’ (food that is a religious offering), which is served in a semi-solid state. It is sweet in taste and one of the main offerings for Lord Dhandayuthapani Swamy, the presiding deity of Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple.
  • Not even a single drop of water is added during the preparation of the panchamirtham. This gives it its classic semi-solid consistency and taste. No preservatives or artificial ingredients are used.

 

Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Palani

  • It is one among the six Padaiveedu's (Abode) of Lord Muruga which is the sub temple of Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, located in the city of Palani in Dindigul district, northwest of Madurai in the foot-hills of the Palani hills, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • It belongs to 9th century and the Cheran king Cheraman Peruman constructed this temple.
  • Thai Poosam and Panguni Uthiram festivals are notified festivals of this temple.

Geographical Indication(GI)

  • A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.
  • In addition, the qualities, characteristics or reputation of the product should be essentially due to the place of origin.
  • Since the qualities depend on the geographical place of production, there is a clear link between the product and its original place of production.