Published on : 28 Sep 2025, 5:52 am

Hayagreeva is a traditional sweet from North Karnataka, named after Lord Hayagreeva, the horse-headed incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Legend says Sri Vadiraja, the Vaishnava poet and philosopher, offered chana dal cooked with jaggery and coconut called maddi to the deity, as horses love gram. Since then, this dish became known as Hayagreeva. I prepare it during every auspicious occasion at home. It’s wholesome, delicious, and a family favorite.

Hayagreeva

Ingredients

Bengal gram ( Chana dal ) – 1 cup

Jaggery – 1 cup

Freshly grated coconut – 2 tbsp

Ghee – 2 tbsp + 1/2 tsp

Turmeric – A pinch

Edible camphor – A pinch

Cardamom – 4-6 (peeled and crushed to a fine powder)

Chopped cashews – 2 tbsp

Raisins – 2tbsp

Method

Dry roast the chana

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