Manipal: Christmas Cake-Fruit Mixing ceremony at WGSHA

Press Release

Manipal, November 24: Christmas is about a month away, but Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal ushered in the season with the annual ritual of mixing dry fruits with liquor for the cake at the Department of Culinary Arts on Saturday. “Dry fruits were soaked in rum and brandy and mixed in the same way as it was done centuries ago in the honour of the agricultural god Dagda,” said Chef Vasanthan“The fruits when soaked in the liquor will develop a rich and exciting flavour and will be used to make wonderful Christmas cakes and puddings,” he added.

“And when the fruits were mixed, every member of the family would take turn to stir it,” the Chef said.Here at the fruit mixing ceremony, Chief Guest Dr. Vinod Bhat, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Manipal University, Dr G.K. Prabhu the Registrar and Mrs. P. Gopalakrishnan, Principal, WGSHAand other officials, faculty and the students did the stirring. 

Charms such as silver coins were hidden in the fruits. It is consideredlucky for those who find it while mixing. What is remarkable about this ritual is that, although most people do not know the original meaning of these beliefs, they still carry out the appropriate actions of mixing, preserving it for weeks and then cooking and baking.

The acts may have lost their specific messages, but by repeating them each year, the ritualistic nature of the Christmas festival is kept alive and, with it the feeling that the occasion is socially significant.