THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The payasam-making contest held at Santhigiri Ashram, Pothencode, turned out to be a world of kheer varieties. The event titled, ‘Payasam -na-ayasam’, which literally means ‘payasam-making is no Herculean task’, was organised under the aegis of Gurumahima, the cultural wing of the Ashram. 32 varieties of payasams, including ‘mullappoo paysam’ (jasmine) and ‘oatmeal payasam’ made it to the finals with innovative contestants vying to show off their culinary skills. The event was inaugurated by Ashram general secretary Swami Chaitanya Jnana Tapaswi at the Spiritual Zone auditorium at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Contestants were divided into 21 groups and 170 payasam varieties competed for selection in the first round. Vegetables to fruits and pulses were the main ingredients. The show stealers included thakkali payasam, unniyappa payasam, ellu paysam, carrot payasam and aval payasam. Swami Chaitanya Jnana Tapaswi said that it was more a gathering with an emphasis on the spirit of oneness. Reverence towards food is one of the first steps towards cultivating spiritual orientation in young minds, especially children. Respecting the gift of food is complementary to respecting nature. The payasam contest was a symbol of sharing the sweetness of good virtues, he said.
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