5 Delicious foods mentioned in the Mahabharata

The Mahabharata is the most revered epic that revolves around the battle of Kurukshetra to establish the victory of Dharma. This legendary epic depicts the battle of power between the Pandavas and Kauravas, which changed the belief system of Hindu mythology. Interestingly, the lifestyle and food during that era may seem fascinating for many, and you will be amazed to know that some of these delicacies are still a part of Indian cuisine. Here are some of the popular delicacies of the Mahabharata era that are worth knowing!

Krisara is a traditional sweet treat made by boiling rice in milk. This classic dish is sweetened with sugar and sesame seeds, along with some aromatic spices like saffron, cardamom and cinnamon. This rice dish is completely mashed in milk, giving it a thick, creamy texture. This dish is also mentioned in the Santi Parva.

Samvaya is a fried sweet treat that is made with wheat flour, milk and fried in ghee. The traces of this dish can be found in the Anusasana Parva, Section CIV. This dish is described as a thin cake made from unleavened dough, sugar and aromatic spices, which is fried in ghee.

As per the beliefs, Payasam was Yudhishthira's favorite delicacy. Made by boiling rice in milk along with sugarcane/sugar/jaggery, the mention of this sweet pudding can be found in the Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva of section CXLIII.

The mention of this recipe can be found in the Bhagavad Gita, which was described as a large cake made of rice flour, sesame seeds, and sugar. The word Sashkuli is basically derived from a Sanskrit word for a sweet round pie made of rice or barley boiled in sugared water, which is fried in ghee and has the shape of an ear.

Meats are an important part of the ancient diet, especially for the warriors, who preferred eating meat as it was essential for their strength. Meats, eggs and hunted meat were an inseparable part of the daily diet.