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Sikhs generally to drink bhang, so that Guru Gobind Singh has himself is said to have said the following
poems in praise of bhang: ―Give me, O Saki (butler), a cup of green colour (bhang), as it is required by
me at the time of battle. ‗Bhang is also used on the Chandas day, which is a festival of the god Sheoji
Mahadeva. The Sikhs consider it binding to use it on the Dasehra day-The quantity then taken is too
small to prove injurious‘. As Sikhs are absolutely prohibited by their religion from smoking, the use of
ganja and charas in this form is not practiced by them. In old Sikh times, it was annually permitted to
collect, without interference a boat load of bhang, which is afterwards distributed throughout the year to
the sadhus and beggars who are supported by the dharamsala. Sukhnidhan is offered as a holy drink or
Kara-Parshad to all visitors in a Gurdwara. This is regarded as food blessed by the Guru and should not
be refused.
http://www.holifestival.org/tradition-of-bhang.html ... A Brief History of Bhang …Bhang was first used
in India …and soon became an integral part of Hindu culture. In the ancient text Artharva-veda, Bhang is
described as a beneficial herb that ‗releases anxiety‘. Bhang preparations were sacred to Gods,
particularly Shiva. One of Shiva's epithets was "Lord of Bhang" as he is said to have discovered the
transcendental properties of the mixture.
In imitation of Shiva, many sadhus use Bhang to boost meditation and achieve transcendental states.
Besides, Bhang or cannabis is also believed to be popular amongst Sufis as an aid to spiritual ecstasy
since a long time.
Bond with the Bhang …Ancient as it is, bhang has become a inseparable part of Indian tradition. So much
so that it has become symbolic for a lot of things. …If one understands the inherent sentimental and
emotional nature of Indians, one can very easily feel the emotional bond people have with bhang.
Associated with Lord Shiva, hemp plant is regarded holy by the Hindus. There is even a belief that to
meet someone carrying bhang is an omen of success. And, if longing for hemp plant foretells happiness,
to see it in dreams ensures prosperity for a person in future. Also, walking underfoot a holy bhang leaf
spells doom for a person.
...Associated with Lord Shiva, bhang has now become synonymous with Holi. To the extent that bhang
drinks have now become an official Holi drink.
Culled from the leaves and buds of cannabis - the very intoxicating bhang helps to escalate the spirit of
Holi - a festival which does not recognize any restrictions. Lip smacking thandai, pakoras and vadas, all
having bhang as a very essential ingredient, are savored by all on the day.
Bhang Preparations in Banaras …The tradition of consuming bhang on Holi is particularly rampant in
North India where Holi itself is celebrated with a gusto unseen anywhere else.
But, the hub of bhang is Varanasi or Banaras, the land of Shiva worship, where bhang is prepared on its
famous ghats.
Anywhere on the ghats one can find large number of men engaged in the process of preparing bhang.
Using mortar and a pestle, the buds and leaves of Cannabis are squashed and 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
nutritious, refreshing drink - Thandai, a healthy alternative to alcohol. Bhang is also mixed with ghee and
sugar to make a tasty green halva, and into peppery, chewy little balls called 'golees'.
http://www.hempfood.com/iha/iha03207.html ...Taxonomic studies of Cannabis in China …Shao Hong
and Robert C. Clarke, Department of Biology and Genetics, Beijing Medical University, Beijing 100083,
PRC …Projects Manager, International Hemp Association, Postbus 75007, 1070 AA Amsterdam, The
Netherlands …Journal of the International Hemp Association 3(2): 55-60.
Many aspects of Cannabis taxonomy and systematics have been studied in the People's Republic of China
(PRC) since it was founded in 1949. Most of the reports indicated that only one species (Cannabis sativa
L.) exists in China and consists of two infra specific taxa (variously indicated either as subspecies,
varieties or forms) sativa and indica. The fiber types low in THC are classified as subspecies sativa and
drug types with higher THC contents are classified as subspecies indica. These drug varieties are found
south of 42ƒN latitude in western China and south of 30ƒN latitude in eastern China. Since classical