Holi is round the corner and one cannot deny its time for all the delicious treats which come with this festival. From Gujiya to piping hot Gulab Jamuns and crunchy Mathri to refreshing thandai; it gets hard to resist.
I loved drinking Thandai all my childhood (Obviously without Cannabis) and that was where i got my inspiration for Thandai Cookies one of our bestseller at Cherry On A Take.
Did You Know?
In the Atharva Veda, one of the four sacred texts of Hinduism, cannabis is named one of the five most sacred plants on Earth. The text also refers to it as a ‘source of happiness’ and a ‘liberator’.
Getting back to padhai and my #KitchenGyan for the day.
Varanasi
Varanasi is a city in Northern India also known as Benares or Kashi. The city is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and is not only the spiritual capital of India, but also the holiest of seven sacred cities in Hinduism, and it played a significant role in the development of Buddhism.
Buddha is said to have founded Buddhism in Varanasi around 528 BC when he gave his first sermon at Sarnath, a nearby city located about 10km away. The city continued to grow in its religious significance and was under Muslim rule for three centuries from 1194, until a tolerant emperor restored some religious respite to Varanasi, which still remains a center of activity for Hindus.
History of Thandai
Thandai is quiet prominent around Holi, which falls in the month of Phalgun, marks the end of the winter season and the arrival of spring that is symbolic of new life. Thandai is often mixed with bhang, also known for its medical properties. Bhang-infused Thandai was first offered around 1000 BC making it one of the oldest drinks in the country, if not the world. It is quiet popular on festivals related to Lord Shiva and is also popular during Mahashivratri.
In the northern states of India, the temperature gets extremely high during summers. Hence, to soothe one’s body temperature while playing in March heat, bhang is sometimes added in drinks like Thandai. During such periods of seasonal transition, the human immune system is believed to weaken. Not only does Thandai have fewer calories than regular milkshakes, it’s also a healthier option to alcohol. It helps cool the body and improves gut health in general.
Most of the ingredients used to make Thandai are known for their health properties. For example, fennel seeds are known for its antioxidants, anti-flatulence and cooling properties; rose petals have digestive properties; almonds are known as a rich source of Vitamin E and have cholesterol regulating effects.
A general opinion one would have after drinking a Glass of Thandai:
Pathak Thandai Wale
Pathak’s family has been serving bhang at the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, dedicated to Shiva, for more than 150 years. The family sources Bhang each day from his local government-sanctioned shop. He soaks it in warm water, and then grinds it into a coarse paste with a flat mortar and pestle to get it ready for consumption.
Special Thandai is the Traditional "Baba Ka Prasad" presented Lord Shiva by devotees during the early morning prayer at 3am everyday during the Mangal Aarti.
So for those who have asked me what is Special Prasad. Next time you are in Varanasi or around any Shiva Temple and someone offers you Special Prasad or Baba Ka Prasad you know what you are getting.
With all these talks about Thandai, I am planning to add some more Holi related things on my Catalogue, let's see what can be done and mail me if you have any ideas.
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