Karkidaka Kanji- Benefits and Preparation

The Karkidaka Vavu for the year 2021 has begun and for better health and tradition people are consuming Karkidaka Kanji. The Karkidaka Kanji is a traditional Kanji with no strict guidelines in its recipe. The Kanji is prepared and altered for different health conditions. During the Karkidaka Masam it is ideal to do Ayurvedic treatments and massages, and having the Karkidaka Kanji brings out an even better experience.

Marunnu Kanji, another name for the traditional Karkidaka Kanji. The word literally means Medicinal porridge/rice soup, and rightly so. The dish not only becomes a source of food but because of its beneficial impacts on the body, it is also considered to be a medicine. 

The method of preparation of Karkidaka Kanji varies in different households as people usually take the medicinal plants available in their garden and prepare the Kanji. 

Karkidaka Kanji Benefits 

Karkidakam is the time of heavy rain which coincidentally also falls at a time when there is a shortage of surplus. With heavy rain, the temperature goes down that makes the body to fight diseases difficult. Immunity is low at this point and our body needs proper diet and treatments designed for this tough time to battle all kinds of diseases. 

Karkidaka Kanji and Karkidaka Chikitsa are two integral parts of Karkidakam to have a healthy body during the monsoon seasons. The Kanji helps in the rejuvenation of the body to fight disease and boost immunity. 

The recommended consumption of the Kanji is for at least 7 days. The only limitation is to consume it in multiples of 7 days continuously to get the best of the benefits. 

The Kanji is ideal for the control of diabetes and cholesterol. With little to no fat, this dish is beneficial in ensuring that the body does not have any trouble digesting making it available for nearly anyone to consume this dish. It’s seen that the Kanji is good for people with arthritis. 

The other benefits of the Karkidaka Kanji are the increase in immunity, rejuvenation of the body by eliminating toxins and also increases the energy and aura of the consumer.

Preparation of Karkidaka Kanji 

As said above, the preparation of Karkidaka Kanji does not have a strict recipe, but there are certain Karkidaka Kanji plants advised to be mixed with the Kanji to get the best benefits. 

Karkidaka Kanji ingredients based on Ayurvedic texts use Njavara rice, the same rice used for massages. It helps in boosting immunity and helps in the treatment of digestive issues, bone diseases, and also skin-related issues. 

Recipe:

• Njavara/Kerala red rice – 1 cup
• Coconut milk – divided into thick and thinner portions – 200 ml
• Ginger powder/crushed ginger – 5gm
• Turmeric powder – a pinch 
• Garlic – 1 tsp
• Jeera – 1 tsp 
• Crushed pepper (not powdered) – 1 tsp
• Carom seeds – 1 tsp
• Jaggery – to taste 
• Fenugreek seeds – 5 tsp
• Ghee – 2-3 tsp

Method:

1. Keep the rice to boil and while it is on the stove grind all the dry ingredients (excluding jaggery) 
2. Add the ground mix to the rice and let it boil
3. Add the jaggery to the boiling rice and let it thicken 
4. When it starts to thicken add the thin coconut milk and after a minute or two add the thick coconut milk and turn off the flame 
5. Add the ghee on top of it and serve it as preferred 

*if using a pressure cooker add the ground mix at first itself. The rest of the procedure is the same as mentioned above. 

The Karkidaka recipe can be altered to one’s needs and health condition. Combining this with the Karkidaka Chikitsa the body gets the best health possible. Athreya Ayurvedic centre offers special treatments and world-class facilities for you to live a healthy happy life.