Panchamrita (lit. five Amṛtas in Sanskrit) is a mixture of five foods used in Hindu worship and puja which are usually honey, sugar, milk , yogurt and ghee.
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Preparation
Appropriate quantities of Milk (only zebu cow milk), Yogurt, Honey, Sugar and Ghee are mixed together. However, there may be certain regional variations in ingredients. Most south Indians add ripe banana as well. Panchamrita is an Ayurvedic preparation but has been manipulated in several places to cut costs and increase keeping value. Until 1890, bananas were not used.
In Palani Murugan temple, Tamil Nadu, Panchamrita is used in abisheka and distributed as prasad. This panchamirtam consist of Banana (Only Virupatchi plantain variety), Sugar, Gee, Honey, Seedless Dates, Cardamom and Sugar Candy. Banana used here is Virupatchi variety, grows only in Palani hills and has very low water content.
Keralites may also include tender coconut. Some recipes also include grapes.