prashad

Prashad, also spelled prasadam, prasad, or prasada, is a religious offering in several Indian faiths. The term derives from Sanskrit prasāda, meaning "grace" or "mercy." In traditional usage, prashad denotes items offered to a deity during worship and then distributed to devotees as a blessed gift.

In Hinduism, prashad refers to food or other objects that have been offered to a deity during puja or festival rites; after the ritual, the offerings are believed to have been blessed and are shared among worshippers. The specific items vary by region and occasion and commonly include fruits, sweets, cooked rice, or lentil dishes. Prashad functions as a tangible sign of divine presence and communal hospitality.

In Jainism and Sikhism, similar practices exist in which offerings are made to deities or sacred symbols and then distributed. In Sikhism, the best-known form is karah prasad, a sweet pudding made from wheat flour or semolina, ghee, sugar, and water, prepared in gurdwaras and distributed to attendees after prayers as a symbol of equality and blessing.

Spelling and transliteration vary by language and region, with forms such as prasadam, prasad, and prasada commonly encountered. As a name, Prashad is used as a given name and surname in India and among the Indian diaspora.

Overall, prashad embodies the idea of grace through sharing, linking ritual devotion with communal eating and charitable hospitality in temple and home contexts.