During fish prasadam, a mixture of asafoetida (“ass-uh-FET-id-uh”), jaggery, and this substance is applied onto a live murrel fish which is then swallowed to alleviate asthma. It’s not clay, but on the day prior to Ganesh Chaturthi, Kannadigas (“kah-nah-dee-gahs”) mold murtis of Gauri out of this substance to reflect on how the goddess had used it to create Ganesh. Lime, saffron, and this substance are the main components of colored kumkum powders. Married women wear (10[1])mangalasutra necklaces that are usually dyed in this substance, which also makes up the haldi pastes smeared on the bride’s skin during Punjabi weddings. Curcumin (“KIRK-yoo-min”), this substance’s active ingredient, is used in Ayurveda for medicinal purposes. For 10 points, saffron-hued robes obtain their hue from what golden spice, a “superfood” ubiquitous in Indian cooking? ■END■