Adhirasam is a 500 year-old classic South Indian delicacy. Hand-pound rice flour is added to the syrup of boiling jaggery with a pinch of Cardamom, that gives a wonderful aroma to this classic. A delicacy rooted in South Indian temple folklore, Adhirasams are a offering to the gods at temples and homes during auspicious occasions. According to inscriptions from Krishnadevaraya’s time, the sweet was made from rice flour, jaggery, butter and pepper.At the annual festival at the Panchavarnesvar Temple in Nallur (located near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu), an offering of 6000 Adhirasams is made to the Gods; the entire lot is cooked in the temple kitchen between sunrise and 11 pm, for the prayers that take place at midnight.
