Gokarna, 23 September 2026: Old ghee has special qualities and its value increases with age, said Sri Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Mahaswamiji of Sri Ramachandrapura Math.
He was speaking at a religious gathering held as part of the ‘Annabrahma Chaturmasya’ programme at the Ashoke Moola Math in Gokarna on September 23, 2026. Speaking in the ‘Annam Brahma’ series, the Swamiji explained the traditional classification of aged ghee.
According to him, ghee that is 10 years old is called Purana Ghrita, while ghee aged beyond 10 years is referred to as Prapurana Ghrita. Ghee that is around 100 years old is described in traditional texts as Kumbha Sarpi or Mahaghrita.
He said traditional Ayurvedic texts describe aged ghee as having medicinal properties. He also referred to the Yogaratnakara, which, he said, mentions special spiritual properties associated with Mahaghrita.
‘Ghee has no expiry’, says Swamiji
Swamiji said the shelf life of dairy products changes with processing. While milk, curd and butter have limited shelf lives, he said ghee is traditionally considered different.
He said, “Ghee does not have an expiry date” and that its qualities are believed to increase as it ages. He described ghee as the “emperor of the milk family”, saying its traditional value is considered much higher than that of milk.
Swamiji also spoke about paneer. Referring to its description in Ayurveda as Kilata, he said paneer has become popular in modern diets but questioned whether it can always be considered a wholesome food.
Ghee and traditional health beliefs
Swamiji said ghee is traditionally believed to help remove excess fat from the body. He also said that traditional views about ghee differ from some modern perceptions about fat and cholesterol.
He described ghee as ‘Yogavahi’, a term used in Ayurveda for a substance believed to carry or support the action of another substance without losing its own properties. He explained this through the example of combining ghee with substances having different tastes and qualities.
Visitors and devotees attend programme
Sri Sri Shivananda Swamiji of Savadatti met Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji and appreciated the Chaturmasya programme focusing on food and related subjects.
International badminton player Aravind Bhat, entrepreneur Madhukar Narasimha Hegde, senior advocate Ganapati Hegde Duvva and Saraswati Jayaram Kurse were among those present. Vishnu Sabhahita Udupi family offered Gurubhiksha Seva. Shivaram Bhat Ponnurukaje and his wife were present as the day's chief hosts.
Swarna Paduka Puja held
Members of the Halleru and Nadava communities conducted Swarna Paduka Puja during the programme. Devotees from the two communities, who have traditionally followed Sri Ramachandrapura Math, received the blessings of the Swamiji. Community leaders including Pradeep Nayak Devarabavi, Nagaraj and Venkanaramana Halleru were present.
Source: Sri Ramachandrapura Math / details provided in the programme release.
Keywords: Raghaveshwara Swamiji, old ghee, ghee benefits, Purana Ghrita, Mahaghrita, Annabrahma Chaturmasya, Gokarna News, Citizen News Puttur