The term panjīrī is derived from Sanskrit word panchajīraka[10] which is an Ayurvedic preparation. The term panchajīraka is ultimately from Sanskrit elements panch (five) and jīraka (cumin or herbal ingredients here).[11] Panjiri is prepared by roasting wheat flour in ghee and adding dry fruits and spices like jeera (cumin), dhaniya (coriander), saunth (dry ginger powder), saunf (fennel) etc. Alternatively, the term panjeri is also used in Rajasthani dialects.[12]Similarly, term pañjarī is used in Marathi and Gujarati languages. As per The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary, Pañjarī is sweetmeat composed of five ingredients, viz. ginger, coriander, ōṃvā or Ajwaen, pepper (or cocoanut), and sugar. Distributed on birthdays of Kṛṣṇa & Rāma and of children.[13]
This Panjiri is prepared using Dhaniya, i.e. coriander seeds and is specifically prepared for Vrat. The wheat flour panjiri is replaced with Dhaniya Panjiri because consuming grains is generally not allowed during fasting, hence this dish is prepared with the powder of coriander seeds, ghee, sugar, almonds and raisins.[25]
Pushtimargiya panjiri
This special variant of Panjiri is associated with Pushtimarg Sampradaya of Vaishnavism. Panjiri forms one of the 56 dishes of the Chhapan Bhog for Bhagwan Shrinathji, form of Bhagwan Krishna. This Panjiri is prepared as a Naivedhya for Shrinathji. The main ingredients used include : Variyali (fennel), Ajmo (carom), Dhanna (coriander), sunthi (dry ginger), pepper flakes and gari (dry coconut).[26]
Dogra sund panjiri
In Jammu region, a special variation of Panjiri is prepared for winter season & Janamashtami Vrat and is called Sund Panjiri. This variation is prepared using lots of dry ginger powder (sund in Dogri) and is loaded with dry fruits native to hills of Jammu division.
Rajasthani gond panjiri
In Rajasthan, Panjiri or Panjeri is prepared using edible gum (also known as Gond locally). The mixture is used to prepare laddus out of it.[27]
Mathura's panchamrit panjiri
This particular variation of panjiri is prepared using atta (wheat flour) as a Prashad for Satyanarayan Puja. Tulasi leaves (holy basil leaves) are also added to the mixture. It is served along with Charnamrit (a yogurt based sweet drink) and is associated with Braj region.[23]
Phool makhana panjiri
It is prepared using phool makhanas (foxnuts) and is specially associated with Bihari cuisine.[28]
^ abPeter, K. V. (2004-03-23). Handbook of Herbs and Spices: Volume 2. Elsevier. ISBN978-1-85573-835-5. In puerperal diseases such as fever, loss of appetite and disordered secretions after delivery, the following preparation called panchajiraka paka is used.
^ ab"Cuisine of Jammu". www.jktdc.co.in. Retrieved 2021-08-02. Jammu is famous all over India for Chocolate Barfi, Sund Panjeeri, Patisa and Rajma
^O'Brien, Charmaine (2013). The Penguin Food Guide to India. New York: Penguin Books Limited. p. 32. ISBN9789351185758. Panjiri is a Punjabi sweet made of wheat flour or semolina cooked in ghee to which sugar, dried fruits, and natural gum are added.... These are eaten during winter to ward off cold weather ills and also given to women who are breastfeeding.
^ ab"Braj decked up for Janmashtami". Deccan Herald. 2013-08-28. Retrieved 2023-04-19. Preparations for Wednesday's Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, have reached a crescendo in the whole of Braj region of Uttar Pradesh... Special pakwans (dishes), laddoos, dry fruits, panjeeri, panchamrit are being prepared. Most people fast and eat only after the midnight birth of Krishna.
^ abAmrita (2018-04-20). "Panjiri (Prasad for Indian Pooja)". The Food Samaritan. Retrieved 2023-04-22. Panjiri is one of the Prasad (food offered to Gods and then distributed between the devotees) items which is prepared for Pooja (the Indian prayer sessions) Havan as well as on auspicious days....Shanti Havan, Janamashtami, Navratri, kids' birthdays, Dussehra and for Trayodashi fasts and other events in the Indian Lunar Calendar. Also it is common within the punjabi diaspora as it has been traditionally sent to them by their families back home.
^ ab"Janmashthmi 2020: Why is Panjiri so popular in Janmashtmi?". The Times of India. 2020-08-09. Retrieved 2021-08-02. Panjiri is one of the quintessential delights of Krishna Janmashtmi bhog. It is offered to Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
^Singh, K. S.; Pandita, K. N.; Charak, Sukh Dev Singh; Rizvi, Baqr Raza; India, Anthropological Survey of (2003). Jammu & Kashmir. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN978-81-7304-118-1.
^Borah, Jahnabee (2020-08-29). "Why Himachali cuisine is having a moment". mint. Retrieved 2021-08-02. One of them, called panjiri, is a nourishing mix of Himachali grains and nuts, akin to muesli, and can double up as a snack or breakfast item.
^ ab"Panchamrit Panjiri Prasad". Indian Vegetarian Recipes in Hindi | NishaMadhulika.com (in Hindi). 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2023-04-19. Panchamrit Panjeeri Prasad is distributed after Satyanarayan Katha, Bhagwad Puja, Krishna Janmashthami. It is also known as Charanamrit or Charanamrut. It is called Panchamrit because it is made by mixing 5 ingredients together
^Srivatsa, Indira (2024-07-06). A TO Z INDIA - AUGUST 2024. A TO Z INDIA. Panjiri is offered to Lord as special offerings and special prayers are held for devotees. Next day after Janamashtami, Nandutsav is celebrated in Braj in all temples and houses