Because the scorching summer time solar beats down, few drinks provide as a lot respite as a relaxing glass of thandai — a aromatic mix of milk, nuts, and spices. However throughout festivals like Holi and Mahashivratri, this refreshing drink takes on an intoxicating twist with a particular ingredient: bhang. Not like its extra notorious counterparts — ganja (marijuana) and charas (cannabis) — which stay strictly prohibited underneath Indian legislation, bhang occupies a peculiar house, each culturally revered and legally permitted.  

So, what makes bhang totally different from different hashish derivatives? How has it remained an integral a part of Indian traditions whereas escaping the identical authorized restrictions? From its deep-seated reference to mythology and rituals to its position in trendy festivities, we dive into the centuries-old legacy of bhang — exploring its authorized standing, cultural significance, and social acceptance.

Distinction Between Bhang, Charas, and Ganja

Hashish, scientifically often known as Hashish Indica, provides rise to 3 totally different merchandise — bhang, ganja, and charas — every derived from totally different elements of the plant and processed in distinctive methods.

• Bhang – Bhang is created from the leaves and seeds of the hashish plant. After being floor right into a paste, it’s blended with milk, sugar, and spices to create the favored bhang thandai or bhang lassi. It will also be added to sweets like jalebi and halwa. Since bhang is ready from leaves and seeds (which aren’t categorized as narcotic substances underneath Indian legislation), it stays authorized.
• Ganja – Ganja is derived from the dried flowers (buds) of the hashish plant. It’s usually smoked in a chillum or rolled right into a cigarette. Since ganja is created from the flowering elements of the plant, it falls underneath the class of banned substances underneath the Narcotic Medication and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
• Charas – Charas, often known as cannabis, is obtained by extracting the resin from the hashish plant. The sticky resin is hand-rubbed from the flowers after which collected to kind a darkish, pliable substance. Like ganja, charas is illegitimate in India underneath the NDPS Act.

The NDPS Act clearly distinguishes bhang from ganja and charas. The legislation exempts hashish leaves and seeds from its definition of narcotics, which is why bhang stays authorized whereas ganja and charas are prohibited.

The Connection Of Bhang in Atharv Ved and Charak Samhita 

Using bhang in India shouldn’t be a current phenomenon — it dates again 1000’s of years and holds a sacred place in Indian tradition and custom. Historical Hindu scriptures, together with the Atharvaveda (written between 1500 and 1000 BCE), point out bhang as one of many 5 sacred crops. It was believed to own medicinal and religious properties, with references to its use for therapeutic and non secular rituals.

Evolution Of Bhang

Based on writer Ashwin Sanghi, within the Atharvaveda, Bhang is known as one of many “5 kingdoms of herbs which launch us from nervousness”. He stated: “By the tenth century, Bhang got here to be known as the ‘meals of the gods’. 5 hundred years later, its virtues are listed as astringency, warmth, inspiration and the capability to take away wind and phlegm.” 

Explaining the evolution of bhang, he says in a 2020 Fb publish: “By the sixteenth century, a Sanskrit play ‘Dhurtasamagama’, depicts two vagabonds quarrelling earlier than a corrupt decide. Earlier than passing a verdict, the decide calls for fee for his decree and is instantly supplied Bhang! The Rajvallabha, a seventeenth-century textual content, goes on to equate Bhang with Amrit by saying that it was manufactured like nectar from the ocean by churning it with Mount Mandara.”

How Bhang Got here To Be Associated To Festivals And Hinduism

Based on Sanghvi, bhang grew to become a logo of festivity and hospitality. “No social celebration — marriage, beginning, coronation or harvest — was full with out it. It even grew to become indispensable in struggle. Indian people songs from the twelfth century discuss Bhang because the ‘drink of warriors’. Troopers would often take a swig to remove any concern or panic,” he stated.

Bhang additionally grew to become inextricably linked with faith when sadhus and fakirs started to make use of it to enhance their meditation and focus, Sanghi identified.

Hashish can be deeply tied to Hinduism, particularly via its affiliation with Lord Shiva. Based on legend, Shiva sought refuge underneath a hashish plant after a heated argument along with his household. He consumed the plant’s leaves, discovering consolation and rest. One other one states that Shiva drank bhang to chill himself after consuming the lethal poison (halahala) that emerged from the ocean through the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). For this reason bhang consumption is intently linked with Shiva worship, particularly throughout Maha Shivratri.

Easy methods to Buy Bhang Legally

Regardless of its affiliation with hashish, bhang enjoys a authorized standing — due to a loophole within the NDPS Act, 1985. The Act doesn’t point out bhang. Hashish leaves and seeds are omitted of the purview of the NDPS Act underneath its definition of narcotics, thereby permitting the sale and consumption of bhang underneath state-controlled licences.

In states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, bhang is offered via government-licensed shops often known as bhang thekas. These outlets function underneath strict laws regarding product high quality and gross sales. Within the Delhi-NCR area, together with Noida, licensed bhang outlets cater to elevated demand throughout festivals like Holi and Shivratri.

Clients should buy bhang in numerous types, together with bhang thandai, bhang lassi, and bhang golis (digestive drugs). In some states, hashish crops are even offered in nurseries at reasonably priced costs, reinforcing the cultural acceptance of bhang as part of India’s social material.