Bhang

, Rajasthan.]]

Bhang (, ; ; ; ) is a preparation from the leaves and flowers (buds) of the female cannabis plant, smoked or consumed as a beverage in the Indian subcontinent.

India

The traditional harvest and preparation of bhang occurs among the Sikhs in the Punjab, mostly during the celebrations of Vaisakhi in April, hence associated with the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. It has now become synonymous with the Holi festival, to the point where consuming bhang at that time is a standard practice. It is also available as Bhang golis (balls) which is just freshly ground hemp with water. Apart from this, sweetened bhang golis are also widely available. These are not considered a drug, but a traditional sleeping aid and appetizer. Bhang is also part of many ayurvedic medicinal preparation, i.e. bhang powder is available at ayurvedic dispensaries throughout the country. Bhang is enjoyed by Sikh Nihangs.

Bhang Ki Thandai (Hindi) also known as Shardai is a drink popular in many parts of India which is made by mixing bhang with thandai, a cold beverage prepared with almonds, spices (mainly black pepper), milk and sugar.

Pakistan

In Pakistan, Bhang drinks are also enjoyed by much of the public. The common man's Pakistani bhang drink is often less elaborate. It is usually just almonds, cannabis and water. The cannabis is crushed with a large wooden mortar in a clay pot, then the almonds are added and crushed, a little water is then added, after which the whole mixture is filtered through a muslin cloth, while more water is being added (to the bhang in the muslin cloth). Sugar can be added, but is more often not used.However, it is said that sugar increases the kick of bhang (THC) since it will be more readily absorbed by the blood stream. The same effect can be had by eating a sweet after one had a glass of bhang. Flavoured milk thandai as in India also exists, but more often without bhang.

History

Bhang was first used as part of the Hindu rite in India around 1000 BC and soon became an integral part of Hindu culture. The herb was devoted to Lord Shiva on Shivratri, a Hindu festival.

Sadhus and Sufis use Bhang to boost meditation and to achieve transcendental states. Bhang or cannabis is also used amongst Sufis as an aid to spiritual ecstasy.

The Sikhs are one of the biggest consumers of bhang or in Sikh religious history it is called Sukhnidhan. First started by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru of the Sikhs. The main use for the Sikhs was to aid in battle, meditation and even a digestive assistant. Today Sukhnidhan is enjoyed among the Nihangs.

Preparation

The tradition of consuming bhang during Holi is particularly common in North India where Holi itself is celebrated with a fervor unseen elsewhere.

Bhang is heavily consumed in Mathura, an ancient town of religious importance to the Hindus. Here the practice is believed to have been introduced by the followers of Lord Krishna and has stayed over since. The Choubey community or the Chaturvedi's of Mathura have a long history of consuming Bhang on a daily basis. They begin the preparation by Sanskrit chants and recitation of prayers to Lord Shiva. Some people from Mathura take Bhang to work up their appetite while others do it to relieve themselves of stress. But the hub of bhang use is Varanasi or Banaras, the Land of Shiva, where the bhang is prepared on its famous ghats.

Anywhere on the ghats, one can find large number of men engaged in the process of preparing bhang. Using mortar and pestle, the buds and leaves of cannabis are ground into a green paste. To this mixture milk, ghee and spices are added. The bhang base is now ready to be made into a heavy drink, thandai, an alternative to alcohol; this is often referred to casually, if inaccurately, as a "bhang lassi" (lassi being a better-known and similar drink). Bhang is also mixed with ghee and sugar to make a green halva, and into peppery, chewy little balls called 'golee' (which in this context means candy or pill in Hindi).

Culture

Being so ancient, bhang has become so much an integral part of Indian tradition that it has become symbolic for many things.

It is associated with Lord Shiva, as the cannabis plant is regarded as holy by Hindus.

In some sections of rural India, people believe in the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant. If taken in proper quantity, bhang is believed to cure fever, dysentery and sunstroke, to clear phlegm, quicken digestion, appetite, cure speech imperfections and lisping, give alertness to the body.

In Nepal, on the day of Hindu festival Maha Shivaratri, bhang is taken in different forms such as smoke, mixed with sweets and drink. Offering bhang to lord Shiva is a common practice during the festival.

See also

Kief

Legality of cannabis by country

Spiritual use of cannabis

Charas

References

External links

Weed Milk Recipe, from theCannabisChef.com

Bhang Ganja Charas, Thandai Chai Lassi, IndiaCurry.com

"A Bit about Bhang"

Recipe: Bhang Lassi

Hot-Buttered Bhang Recipe

"A Word from the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission" A 19th century British report on Bhang

Special Featured Article on Bhang

"Recipe for Bhang-Elixir of life"

Bhang news page - Alcohol and Drugs History Society

Category:Cannabis Category:Uttar Pradeshi cuisine Category:Indian cuisine