The most colourful festival "HOLI" is over. While remembering some funny moments, high with bhang, some mixed comments by people ,echoed in my mind . "Tum bhang peete ho?" The frownlines on some were as if its a sin to consume Bhang and it took me to reach my elders and E-books to read about this entralling plant .
Many people use the term "Bhang" indiscrimately with "Ganja" or "Hashish" when in reality it is quite different . Before coming to any conclusion , we must understand the difference between Marijuana, Hashish and Bhang, which are from a plant called "Hemp" or "Cannibes". Bhang is natural intoxication made with marijuana leaves and flowers. Ayurveda considers the cannibes plant to be medicinal value and in "Sushruta Samhita" , it is used to aid digestion and appetite. In Indian hemp drugs commission ,1894, it is documented as "Penicillian of Ayurveda" .
In medicene, it is mostly used to ease pain and induce sleep ( documented in china over 4000 years ago) . It also has a soothing influence on nervous dissorders . Cannibes is useful in treating gout, rheumatism , insanity and insomnia . Best of cannabis one being exported to Europe since the 19th centurary. In Ayurveda it is written that Cannibes as one of the five sacred plants. Bhang is the most commonly used form of cannabis in religious festivals
Cannibes in Indian tradition
Since the vedic period , sadhus and sufi saints used to consume bhang to boost meditation and achieve transcendental states. Some sufis did consume bhang to aid them in achieving spiritual escatacy . There might be pure supersitious behaviour but if one understand the emotional nature of Indians, one can easily feel the emotional bond of people have with bhang . Associated with Lord Shiva, cannabis plant is regarded as "Holy" by hindus . There is a belief that to meet someone carrying bhang , is an omen of success. And if longing for cannabis plant is regarded holy by the hindus. Also it fortells happiness to see it in dreams ensures prosperity for a person in future . Cannabis has also been used by Muslims of India. Mughal emperor Humayun was fond of "Majun" , a sweet cannabis confectionary which was the hash brownie of the mediviel age . (refer to humayunama written by his sister Gulbadan.) .
In hindus cannabis are chiefly in connection with the worship of lord shiva , the plant is popularly believed to have been a great favorite of shiva. You will see lots of people in ghats of Varanasi , where they sit with stone and pessle and grind these divine leaves to make "thandai" , a milk concoction . For bhang drinkers , bhang is an art , a poem and a ritual . They praise lord shiva and entire excercise should be a community , and not an individual event .
Modern use of Cannabis
As bhang is very popular in India , thandai , a milk preparation is basically consumed as prasad of lord shiva during Mahashivratri and Holi . Although govt allows consumption of bhang , and not to retail , various states also have been their own rules. In Assam , bhang has been banned since 1958, but it is consumed by thousands during Ambuvachi . Cannabis cultivation for industrial purposes has been legalized in Uttarakhand in 2015.
Since we are into the subject of etynology of Cannibes , it is noteworthy to mention about Kamalaksh KM , who is being addressed as Kama among his friends and colleagues . Perhaps Kama takes a cue straight from the pages of history and recreates the magic as "The Big Bhaang Theory- Thandai" , "The Big Bhaang Theory- Brownie" and " The Big Bhaang Theory -Chocolates" . His brand "Bouquet Garni" is the only brand to introduce bhang brownie , bhang chocolates and even bhang pizza which was also featured by the news channel , CNN-IBN .
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| Kama at his LOLZ Cafe |
As I have mentioned above that since ancient time , it is believed that carrying bhang to greet someone is an "OMEN" of success, probably this could be the reason , Kama makes gallons of "The Big Bhang Theory Thandai" and bhang "Brownies" at his cafe - LOLZ , Gaziabad to gift his loved ones on Holi.
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| The Big Bhang Theory - Brownie |
I wish Indian govt legalise to retail the bhang so that the Bouquet Garni launch their bhang products . Let Kama KM unleash a new segment of beverages and confectionaries in Indian market and we will drink and eat to his success.
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| Pankaj Malik aka "Ganja Baba" enjoying The Big Bhaang Theory - Thandai |
Hope by reading this small article , the frownlines will ease and people will say cheers to the drink and bhang browies will be included alongwith other snacks on the table .
PS: Photo courtesy :
Kama KM
Pankaj Malik .
