 |
| Mango Fruit in Naivedyam |
 |
| Pakwan (Thekua) in Naivedyam |
1. Fruits - फल
2. Sweets - मिष्टान्न
3. Cooked - पकवान
Though salt is not made a part of Cooked (पकवान) Naivedyam as it is considered 'Tamasic' (तामसी) thing. In general, the Naivedyam is even not let to be touched with the salt. In rural areas, the things with salt, onion and garlic are termed as "Sakhari" and without it is termed as "Arba". So only "Arba" items are allowed to the God as Naivedyam.
But there are also exceptions to it. First, in some families, Child form of God Krishna is worshiped - called 'Bal-Krishna'. Those Vaishnava families offer Naivedyam whatever is cooked in their kitchen even including salt - It is called "Bhog". The First food is offered to 'Bal-Krishna' and the rest of the food is consumed by the family as Prasadam. In Jagannathpuri, God Krishna is offered cooked rice as "Bhog" and there too there is no restriction on salt.
Second, during the Durga Puja celebrations in the temples, the Goddess is offered "Khichdi" as Bhog on the seventh, eighth and ninth days (Saptami, Ashtami and Navami). Khichdi is a recipe in which rice, vegetables, oil and salt are cooked together.
Naivedyam is topped with Tulsi leaves. Since a person also requires water when eating, so after Naivedyam a bit of pure water (Jalam-जलं) is offered as "Achman Jal".
In "Shiva_Manas_Puja" Strotam we can see what Shiva is being offered:-
Sauvarne navratna khand rachite paatre ghritam paayasam
Bhakshyam panchvidham payodadhiyutam rambha phalam panakam
Shakanamyutam jalam ruchikaram karpur khandojjwalam
Tambulam mansa maya virachitam bhaktya prabho sweekuru
(O God! I am offering you the porridge of rice (खीर) and Ghee (Clarified butter) in a golden pot that is embedded with many precious stones. Please consume the drink which is made by ripe bananas and curd (दही). Please drink the water that is scented with different leaves and a piece of Camphor (Karpoor or Kapoor). I have made a "Paan" (Betel leaves roll) in my imagination with full devotion, please O God accept these things.)Bhagwan Tirupati Balaji is offered special 'Laddoos' as Naivedyam which is famous. The same type of Laddoos are also sold at Mahavir Mandir, Patna.
The Coconut is one of the fruits which is mostly offered to The Goddess (Bhagawati) and Shiva. While offering to the Goddess Kali it is considered as a sacrifice (Bali). It is due to the fact that in the Hindu Mythology the coconut is considered as a human being made by Great Rishi Vishwamitra with his force of 'Tapa'. It is broken in front of the Goddess as a sacrifice.
When the worship is complete the Naivedya becomes Prasad or Prasadam. There is the importance of taking prasad with respect.
One thing is to be noted that though Naivedya offered to Gods is consumed as Prasada but if something is touched to Shivalinga as Naivedyam it is not consumed as Prasada until it is given to you by a priest with his own will.
===<<<O>>>===
