Prasad

Prasad, also transliterated prasād or prasadam, is a devotional offering in Hinduism and related Indian traditions. The term comes from Sanskrit prasāda, meaning grace, mercy, or favor. In temples and homes, prasad refers to food or other items offered to a deity and then distributed to worshippers as a sign of divine blessing.

In practice, the food offered during puja is called naivedya; after the deity accepts the offering, the remnants are called prasad or prasadam. The prasad is considered sanctified and its distribution is a customary act of communal sharing. The form of prasad varies by region and tradition, from fruits and sweets to cooked dishes, water, or sacred ash. The act embodies the belief that the deity’s grace is shared with the devotee.

In Sikhism, prasad often takes the form of karah prasad, a sweet, wheat flour–based pudding distributed in gurdwaras. Jain temples and other Indian religious communities also distribute prasad, sometimes in the form of simple fruits or snacks, as a symbol of merit and community hospitality. Across traditions, prasad functions as a tangible expression of blessing and reciprocal grace.

Prasad is also a common given name and surname in India, derived from the same Sanskrit root. Variants include Prasada, Prashad, and Prasad. The term broadly denotes blessing or grace and is used in many Indian languages.