[edit]Sub-continent
Bhang has been used as an intoxicant for centuries in the sub-continent. Bhang in India is distributed as a religious offering during Shiva festivals like "Mahashivratri". 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 cannabis 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 preparations, e.g. bhang powder is available at ayurvedic dispensaries.
Bhang Ki Thandai also known as
Sardai is a drink popular in many parts of sub-continent which is made by mixing bhang with
thandai, a cold beverage prepared with
almonds,
spices (mainly black pepper),
milk and
sugar.
[edit]History
Bhang was first used as part of the Hindu rite in India around 1000 BC
[citation needed] 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 Nihang sect of the
Sikh community consume bhang for pain relief from battle wounds. In Sikhism, it is strictly prohibited to consume for pleasure, a rule which is followed very loyally. It started as an ayurvedic medicine whose main use for the Nihangs was to aid in reducing pain from battle wounds, and also as a digestive aid, called
Sukhnidhan [1]
[edit]Preparation
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 Thandai" also "Bhang LASSI" (made of Curd ). 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).
In Kashmir, a common preparation for bhang consists of first boiling the leaves and flowers of the female
cannabis plant for a short time. Once the plant matter has become soft, it is mixed with
khas khas or white opium poppy seed. The two ingredients are pulverized with a mortar and pestle for 30-60 minutes (adding a few drops of water now and again to keep the paste moist). The paste is then mixed with water by hand and the mixture is poured through a straining cloth to remove all excess plant matter. The remaining green water is known locally as "bhang" and consumed as is. The usage of oil-rich seeds allows
THC, the fat-soluble psychoactive chemical from the cannabis, to be
extracted into the poppy oil so that potency can be retained in a water-based mixture.
[edit]Culture
Bhang has become an integral part of tradition and custom in the Indian subcontinent. It has become symbolic for many things as it is associated with Lord
Shiva.
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, aide
digestion,
appetite, cure
speech imperfections and
lisping, and give alertness to the body.
[3] Bhang lassi is a preparation of powdered green inflorescence with curd and whey put in a village blender (a hand blending operation is carried out till the butter rises). It is regarded as tasty and greatly refreshing, with one or two large glasses having little effect. Bhang goli, on the other hand, hits after approximately two hours, sending one into a dreamlike state.
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 ever since. 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.
[edit]Legality
As Bhang has served such an important role in India's culture and spiritual practices it would be impossible to criminalize cannabis completely in the country. Cultivation of cannabis is government regulated, and illegal without a government permit. Sale of bhang is also government regulated and illegal without a permit.
Bhang is illegal in any country where cannabis is prohibited as it is an integral part of the recipe.
