Adhirasam (Tamil: அதிரசம்) is a type of Indian sweet from Tamil cuisine. The doughnut like pastry has a long history of popularity in Tamil civilization. They are similar in shape to vadai, but are not savoury and are eaten as a dessert.
Adhirasam is a popular as an offering to the gods during puja prayers, both at home and in temples in Tamil Nadu.[1][2] According to inscriptions from Krishnadevaraya's time, the sweet was made from rice flour, jaggery, butter and pepper.[3] At the annual festival at the Panchavarnesvar Temple in Nallur (located near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu), an offering of 6000 Adhirasams along with 6000 vadas is made to the Gods; the entire lot is cooked in the temple kitchen between sunrise and 11 pm, for the prayers that take place at midnight.[4]