Bhang
Bhang (Hindi: भांग, [bʱaːŋɡ]; Punjabi: ਭੰਗ IPA: [pə̀ŋɡ]; Bengali: ভাং [bʱaŋ]) Persian "bhanga", is a preparation from the leaves and flowers (buds) of the female cannabis plant, smoked or consumed as a beverage in the Indian subcontinent. [1]
Contents
India
The traditional harvest and preparation of bhang occurs during the celebrations of Holi in March and Vaisakhi in April, hence associated with Lord Shiva. It has now become synonymous with Holi, 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 avaible. These are not considered a drug, but a traditional sleeping aid and appetizer.However, the smoking of Bhang (Cannabis) is frowned upon by many. Bhang is also part of many ayurvedic medicinal preparation, i.e. bhang powder is available at ayurvedic dispenseries troughout the country. Bhang is also enjoyed by Sikh Nihangs.
Bhang Ki Thandai (Hindi) is a drink popular in many parts of India which is made by mixing bhang with thandai, a cold beverage prepared with almonds, spices, milk and sugar. Consumption of Bhang and psychotropic substances has been forbidden by certain Hindu religious sects such as the Shikshapatri.
Pakistan
In Pakistan, Bhang drinks are also enjoyed by much of the public, specially at Sufi festivals but also elsewhere. The common man's Pakistani bhang drink is often less ellaborate. It is usually just almonds, hemp and water.Sometimes not even almonds...The hemp 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. In the ancient text Atharvaveda, bhang is described as a beneficial herb that "releases anxiety".
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.[2]
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 the Hindu god, 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. 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 hemp plant is regarded as holy by Hindus.
In some sections of rural India, people believe in the medicinal properties of the hemp 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.[3]
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
References
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<references />, or <references group="..." />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
es:Bhang hi:भांग sw:Bangi la:Bhang pl:Bhang pt:Bhang ru:Бханг sv:Bhang
uk:Бганґ- ↑ bhang definition Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ↑ Fuller, Robert (2000). Stairways to Heaven. Westview Press. ISBN 0813366127.
- ↑ Holi Festival Tradition of Bhang
