Students get a taste of Karkidaka Kanji'

KOZHIKODE: The National Service Scheme volunteers of Zamorin’s Higher Secondary School prepared ‘Marunnu Kanji’ or ‘Karkidaka Kanji’ (medicinal porridge) and distributed it among the students on Friday.  They  also prepared Jappi, a medicinal coffee,  using various herbal plants and shrubs.  This was done to highlight the  importance  of Karkidakam month to the present generation.

The volunteers had attended  a session conducted by  Govinda Varma Raja, head of the folklore department,  on the methods of preparing these medicinal dishes specially served during the month.  Students consumed the dishes using the leaves of jackfruit tree   to revive the tradition of drinking porridges with the  leaves.

“Ayurveda physicians say ‘Karkidakam' is the time for rejuvenation and cleansing the body of all impurities.  Consuming ‘Oushadha Kanji,’ the herbs-mixed rice gruel, used traditionally as a recuperative diet, is an integral part of the rejuvenation process,”  said  school principal Murali Mohan.  “Hence we wanted our students to get the taste of these healthy dishes, who are  used to the junk food culture,” he added. Various other events, awareness classes and campaigns will also be conducted during the coming days  in the school.