Om
In Amman temples, offering of Koozh is considered as a sacred act by the South Indian Hindus, and Koozh is a food item prepared using Ragi flour, and it contains good nutritional values. It would be mostly consumed by the people in Tamil Nadu. Some people used to consume this food item, as their morning food, and it would give chillness to our body. It is also sold by the Street Vendors in some parts of Tamil Nadu.
Koozh would be offered along with Ghee Pongal and Sweet Pongal to goddess Amman also called as Mariamman, during the month of Aadi. It is also served to the participants during the times of Mariamman festivals. Koozh offering is very famous in Angala Parameswari Amman Temples like Samayapuram Mariamman Temple, Melmalayanur Angala Parameswari Temple and Erode- Keerakara Veedi- Angalamman Temple. These temple ammans are worshipped as Kula Deivam by large number of devotees. During the Aadi month, devotees from all parts of Tamil Nadu, would visit these holy temples, and would offer Koozh, and Pongal as Prasad to the holy mother goddess. In General, similar to feeding sufficient food to our human mother, we are offering various kinds of Prasad items to the divine mother goddess. We are offering these items as a part of showing our love and affection on them.
Amman temples are considered as very powerful, since most of the temple idols are self-emanated idols. Amman would usually appear in the dreams of the ancient kings or queens or to the ordinary people and would tell a particular place, and would ask them to dig that place. At the time of digging, the devotees used to find the beautiful idols of the pious mother, and after that, they would build a temple for her in that place. In course of time, the temple would be visited by large number of devotees, and through their help, the temple would be converted into a big temple, and pujas and abhiskhekhams would be properly done in those temples.
Palani panchamirtham, is the most important ‘prasadam’ offered to the Tamil god Lord Muruga, at the Palani Murugan temple,and it had been certified as the best Prasad item, and delicious food product.
This panchamirtham is prepared using fresh bananas, jaggery, ghee, and honey. It is highly appreciated by the devotees, for its rich taste, and also for its flavour and divine significance.