Kerala, a state well-known for its secular lifestyle, is home to numerous religious sites that provide a range of “Mahaprasadas.” Together with a wealth of legends and anecdotes about the temples and the cuisine, Kerala's traditional cuisines provide visitors an unparalleled experience. The goal of this study is to investigate the range of divine dishes that temples of Kerala provide. These temple offerings are connected to Kerala's rich cultural legacy, which has numerous fascinating tales that may pique the interest of both foodies and spiritual seekers. The study used the participant observation method to explore the potential and breadth of Temple Cuisines as genuine attractions inside the state's religious locations. It also explores the benefits of the community, residing around the temples, out of the preparation and distribution of temple prasads.
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Cuisine has a vital part in defining the cultural identity of a place (Jain, 2017). The relationship between food, spirituality, and cultural history is evident in temple cuisine. Temple cuisine is an exciting and delicious component of tourism, as temples have long been involved with the preparation and serving of distinctive and symbolic delicacies (Prasad, 2014).
In many civilizations, temple cuisine has great historical and spiritual importance. It is strongly related to religious customs and rites. For example, in Hinduism, followers get “Prasad,” or temple meal, which is first dedicated to the gods. According to Kumar (2015), this dish is revered and is said to bear the gods' favour. Similar to this, in Buddhism, eating at a temple is a way for monks to receive alms and earn spiritual virtue (Jain, 2017).
In Japan, there is a strong connection between Buddhist temples and the practice of “Shojin Ryori,” or vegetarian cooking. Not only is this food tasty, but it also embodies the non-violence and mindfulness of Buddhism. It is a crucial component of the cultural experience that visitors to Japanese temples get since it is prepared with meticulous attention to detail and presented in an appealing way (Jain, 2017).
Temple cuisine provides visitors with a distinctive cultural experience. It allows students to not only experience the local flavours but also immerse themselves in the history and traditions of the place (Tripathi & Nithya, 2019). Incorporating the spiritual environment of the temple into their dining establishments enhances the entire experience. Enjoy a lunch while taking in the beautiful sculptures, serene gardens, and calming sounds of monks chanting.
Temple cuisine provides visitors to unusual and frequently vegetarian or vegan dishes in addition to the surroundings (Kumar, 2015). Fresh, regional ingredients are highlighted in the thoughtful and precise preparation of these dishes. For example, the Chidambaram Temple in South India is well-known for its distinctive vegetarian fare, which consists of meals like “Puliyodarai” and “Kootu” (Tripathi & Nithya, 2019). Not only are these meals delicious, but they also have health benefits that draw tourists in.
Local communities may see significant economic benefits from temple cuisine. Temple cuisine is becoming more and more popular, which opens up work chances for locals as chefs, servers, and artists who make crafts and souvenirs associated to temples can all find employment (Prasad, 2014). Temples and their cultural legacy can be preserved with the aid of this economic boom.
Incorporating temple cuisine with tourism promotes more cross-cultural interaction. After having these unusual meals, visitors frequently gain a respect for the local customs and culture. This can promote tolerance and concord amongst cultures by increasing knowledge of and respect for religious and spiritual activities (Kumar, 2015).
The oldest type of tourism is religious tourism, yet there are still aspects of religious tourism that are underutilized that could support the growth of sustainable tourism. One such area that could encourage sustainable travel to holy sites is Temple Cuisine. Because of the rise in demand for regional cuisine in recent years brought about by the influence of food bloggers, culinary tourism is becoming more and more popular. Wandering around places that might serve unique and original cuisine are the food lovers. For many of these gourmets, temples provide a “taste of divinity” in the form of “Mahaprasadas.” Travellers seeking spiritual experiences and new experiences flock to temples to indulge in the spiritually gratifying sensual delights provided by their cuisine. Given the rich history and mythical connections of temple cuisine, this could also serve as a platform for cultural exploration. Kerala, a state well-known for its secular lifestyle, is home to numerous religious sites that provide a range of “Mahaprasadas.”