Sooji Sheera (Satyanarayan Prasad)
Sheera — semolina roasted in ghee and cooked with milk, sugar and banana — is the traditional prasad of Satyanarayan Puja.
Prep 5 minCook 20 minMakes 6–8
Ingredients
- 1 cup Fine semolina (sooji / rava)
- ¾ cup Ghee
- 1½ cups Milk (warm)
- ½ cup Water (warm)
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 Ripe banana (chopped)
- ½ tsp Cardamom powder
- 2 tbsp Cashews and raisins
- 1 Tulsi leaf (to offer)
Method
- Fry the cashews and raisins in a little ghee and keep aside.
- Heat the rest of the ghee and roast the sooji on low heat until fragrant and light golden (8–10 minutes).
- Carefully add the warm milk and water — it will splutter — and stir until absorbed.
- Add sugar and banana and cook until the sheera leaves the sides of the pan.
- Add cardamom, nuts and raisins. Offer with a tulsi leaf.
Why this prasad for Satyanarayan Puja?
The Satyanarayan Katha tells of devotees blessed for offering prasad made with sooji, ghee, milk, sugar and banana in equal measure (the sapaad bhakshya in Maharashtra).
Tips, variations & storage
Tips for success: roast the sooji slowly in ghee until it smells nutty and turns light golden — under-roasted sheera tastes raw and turns pasty. Warm the milk and water before adding them, and pour carefully, as the mixture splutters.
Variations: in Maharashtra this prasad is called sheera or sapaad bhakshya; in Karnataka a similar banana sheera is offered; North Indian families often make atta halwa or panjiri instead. Some add a pinch of saffron or nutmeg.
Serving and storage: offer the sheera with a tulsi leaf before the katha ends, then serve it to everyone with panchamrit. It keeps for a day at room temperature in cool weather, or two days refrigerated; warm it with a spoon of milk before serving.
Making it outside India
Use fine semolina ("Bombay rava") from Indian stores; supermarket semolina is often coarser — roast it a little longer and add 2 tbsp more liquid.
Looking for ingredients? Find samagri and Indian grocery shops near you.
Frequently asked questions
Why equal measures?
Many families follow the tradition of equal sooji, ghee and sugar for Satyanarayan prasad; you can reduce the ghee for everyday sheera.
How much prasad should I make for a Satyanarayan Puja?
About two tablespoons per person is a good guide; one cup of sooji serves 15–20 people as prasad.
Can I use sugar substitutes?
For prasad most families use sugar or jaggery; for diabetic guests a small separate portion can be made.