Rasayana | ರಸಾಯನ | Rama navami recipe (2024)

Festival RecipesSeptember 21, 2013

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What is Rasayana?

Rasayana is a a Quick Banana Relish with Jaggery and coconut. Often offered as an offering / Naivedyam during Pujas

Rasayana (ರಸಾಯನ)is a quick to make, and yummy dish for Ram navami. This is served along with Panakam (Lemonade) and Kosambari (cucumber-lentil salad). This dish also finds its way to Festive Spreads as seen in the Ugadi Spread of Obbattu.

As part of the South Indian meal, a fruit (mostly plantains) is part of the Traditional sit down meal. Fruits are basic in nature, and help in lining the stomach against the carbs, fats, and oils that are part of the
traditional meal. I make this often, and not just for festivals – it’s quick to make, oil free, zero cook dish and healthy and filling for kids as a evening after-school snack. Although sugar can be added, the calcium from the jaggery is preferred with the freshly grated coconut to make a yummy snack.

Rasayana | ರಸಾಯನ | Rama navami recipe (1)

Rasayana | ರಸಾಯನ | Rama navami recipe (2)

Memories associated with this Rasayana…..

When I first posted in 2013 : A simple sweet dish to celebrate as my lil one (2nd daughter) celebrates her 1st birthday later this week, and a thanksgiving to God for bestowing upon me that (second) little bundle of joy – she completes my family with her giggles and slightly toothy grin and mischief 🙂 And this was fornaivedyam(offering to God)that I made today, and was very glad she could eat this too – albeit a very little quantity. As this post gets published, I would be super busy preparing for her bday bash planned by the elder sister.. And the hubs and me are amused thinking which of the girls would actually end up cutting the bday cake later this evening :-))

What are the major ingredients for Rasayana?

Plantains / Ripe Banana – Just ripe plaintains pref not elaichi – but the yellow / spotted ones work well, for this dish. Ensure this is served immediately for it turns black very fast.A variation of this dish would be to add milk, honey and curds and makePanchamritam( an exotic offering), also an offering to God, especially Ganpati.

Coconut– fresh Coconut increases the taste here, although frozen would work too

Cardamom powder – Do add this to enhance the flavour

Jaggery – Organic jaggery. (shredded) or jaggery powder also works, although we prefer the former. If you don’t have access to jaggery, you may use Cane Sugar (Nattu Sakkarai)

Other Festival Sweet recipes you may like on the blog

Bele Obbattu | Ugadi Obbattu | PuranPoli

Bele Obbattu or Obbattu is a stuffed sweetbread made with lentils, coconut and Jaggery. It is a delicacy made for the Hindu new year festival called Ugadi

Check out this recipe

Gur ka Sheera | Jaggery Semolina Pudding | Bellada Kesari Bhath

Gur ka sheera or Bellada Kesaribhath is a soft melt in the mouth semolina pudding made with jaggery. Made in under 10 mins as a quick dessert.

Check out this recipe

Instant Pot Vermicelli Kheer

A creamy payasam or kheer made in the Instant Pot with roasted vermicelli, milk and nuts. Served at festivals or special occasions.

Check out this recipe

Rose Thandai

Rost Thandai is a special dish made for festival of Holi. Thandai refers to chilled, flavoured milk made during summers. It is made in different flavours, Rose being one of them

Check out this recipe

Other variants of Rasayana you can try:

Chikkoo Rasayana
Muskmelon Rasayana (Karbuja hannu Rasayana)
Mangi Rasayana (Mavinhannu rasayana)

Rasayana | ರಸಾಯನ | Rama navami recipe (7)

How to make Rasayana

Prep time : 10 mins , Zero cook , Serves : 2

Rasayana is a a Quick Banana Relish with Jaggery and coconut. Often offered as an offering / Naivedyam during Pujas

Rasayana | ರಸಾಯನ | Rama navami recipe (8)

Ingredients to make Rasayana

3 Banana (fully ripe, but not mushy)
3 TBSP Coconut (fresh or frozen, grated)
3 TBSP Jaggery
1 tsp Cardamom powder

Method to make Rasayana:

Peel and cut banana into thickish roundels.
Mix the rest of the ingredients
Toss once lightly and serve immediately.