prasada

Prasada, also spelled prasadam or prasād, is a religious term in Hinduism and other Indian religions referring to food that is offered to a deity during puja and then distributed to devotees as a blessed substance. The term derives from Sanskrit prasādam, meaning "grace" or "mercy."

In practice, a devotee or priest prepares food—often sweet dishes, fruit, milk, or cooked meals—called naivedya and presents it to the deity on an altar. After the deity is believed to have accepted the offering, the remaining food is considered prasada and is shared among worshippers, sometimes placed on a plate and distributed communally.

Prasada significance: It is regarded as a manifestation of the deity's grace, not merely a meal; consuming prasada is seen as receiving blessings. Leftovers may be shared with others or given to the temple's charitable kitchens.

Regional variations and forms vary by tradition. In many temples, laddus, halva, fruits, or simple grains are common; festival-specific offerings appear as well.

In Sikhism, prasad, commonly called karah prasad, is distributed after prayers in gurdwaras; it is typically a sweet preparation made from flour or semolina with ghee and sugar, symbolizing divine grace and communal equality.