India, a country where consumption of marijuana is generally illegal, there are two festivals where its consumption is socially acceptable- Holi and Maha Shivratri. The only two rare occasions where in majority of the North Indian Hindu households, men can be found working hard at some household chore “voluntarily”. They can be seen preparing Bhang Thandai.

Though its consumption is considered illegal, few of the cities in North India, like Varanasi, do not seem to comply by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. This act prohibits a person to produce/manufacture/cultivate, possess, sell, purchase, transport, store, and/or consume any narcotic drug. But there are few government licensed shops wherein Bhang is sold on a small scale.

Traditionally, marijuana leaves are consumed with milk, known as ‘Bhang Thandai’. The upper leaves of the marijuana plant are used to make Ganja while the flowers are used to make Charash. The most potent form of marijuana is Hashish.

So basically,

Marijuana= Cannabis= Bhang= Charas= Hashish= Weed= Ganja!

These are just distinguished by the levels of tetrahydrocannabinol.

Bhang- Lord Shiva’s seal of approval

Ganja was the dear kid of “Bharatavarsha”. However, with the intrusion of the step mom (Britishers), this dear kid was abandoned. Ganja was denounced to create market for British scotch whisky. But later, it was brought back when they realized its restriction can cause widespread annoyance to ascetics.

Consumption of marijuana can be traced back to Indian culture and has strong religious implications. In Hindu mythology, it is believed that marijuana is a gift to the world by the gods, which has spiritual properties. Its psychoactive properties facilitate meditation and therefore was part of Yogis toolbox. Bhang has sacred association with Lord Shiva and brings union with this celestial spirit. He is often represented with a chillum (smoking pipe). There are many stories attached with Lord Shiva’s consumption of marijuana.

According to one version, once Lord Shiva walked off after having a very heated argument with his family. While wandering off, he slept under a cannabis plant. He consumed some of the cannabis and felt rejuvenated. This made him adapt to Marijuana.

Now after getting too bombarded with marijuana facts, I am sure you must be excited to know how this ‘holy’ milkshake is made. Here’s the recipe to make Bhang Thandai.