"Are bhang ka rang jamaho chakachak ,fir do abeer lagay"
Happy holi has arrived at our doorstep, the festival of colors , cuisines. And of course a healthy excuse to explore a different and veteran intoxicant. The bhang.
Bhang is being used in India since vedic times, sadhus and sufis used to consume bhang to go into trance and achieve spiritual ecstasy , to boost the intesity of their meditational transcendence
You can easily find people preparing bhang on any of the ghats in India using mortar and pestle.
In Northern part of our country , bhang has become an integral part of the culture. People relate bhang to Lord Shiva. According to some beliefs, Shiva is condered as God of Bhang . Because he was the first to discover this intoxicant , so called bhang , that leads you into transcendental states.
Bhang is a mixture of leaves and buds of cannabis plant. And if taken in moderate amounts bhang is not injurious to health.
What all bhang does to your body is:
1) It induces psycosis- Drinking too much bhang can lead to grandiosity, hostility, hallucinations,Excitement ,and disorientaion
2) Increases blood pressure- Those who are suffering from heart ailments should stay away from bhang
3) Makes you feel good- Ofcourse it can releive any pains temporarily and makes you feel good
4)Does not kill you- If you are healthy and take bhang in moderate amounts it is not gonna kill you.There are no such major incidents found yet.
Bhang is also beleived to have some meditional properties as mentioned in ancient vedas , it can cure dysentry , phlegm, fever. sunstroke and speech imperfections if taken in proper quantity
Bhang is consumed in different forms in India. Mostly bhang leaves are grinded into a green paste , then added with milk ghee and some spices to make a drink called thandai. Thandai is very famous in Indian societies mostly during the festival of holi.
Other bhang preparations that you can enjoy during holi are: bhang kulfi, bhang pakoda, bhang golee.
Happy holi :)
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