Cannabis, or “Ganja” as it is often referred to in parts of India and other areas in Asia, has a profound historical and cultural significance that stretches back thousands of years. Its use in these regions is tightly interwoven with religious rituals, traditional medicine, and cultural ceremonies, particularly within Hinduism, where it is viewed as a sacred substance.
Historical Background
Cannabis has been used in India since the Vedic period, around 2000 to 1400 BCE, initially mentioned in the sacred texts known as the Vedas. It is described as one of the five sacred plants and is believed to be a source of happiness, joy, and liberation. In these texts, cannabis is known by several names, including “Vijaya,” meaning victory, and was used to promote health, happiness, and liberation.
Cannabis and Hinduism
Within Hinduism, cannabis is strongly associated with several deities, especially Shiva. According to mythology, Shiva discovered Ganja and took it as his favorite food after sleeping under a cannabis leaf. Since then, cannabis has been an integral part of Shiva worship, particularly among ascetics and sadhus (holy men) who use it as a means for meditation and spiritual practice. These sadhus often consume Ganja in the form of Bhang (a drink made from cannabis), charas (a form of hashish), and Ganja (the dried leaves of the cannabis plant) as part of their religious rituals.
Holi and Bhang Lassi
One of the most prominent examples of ritual cannabis use in India is during Holi, the Hindu spring festival, also known as the festival of colors. During Holi, it is traditional to consume Bhang Lassi, a refreshing drink made of yogurt, water, spices, and cannabis. Bhang Lassi is considered to purify the mind, promote spiritual growth, and unite the faithful with the divine. Its consumption is socially accepted and seen as an essential part of the festivities.
Gods and Ganja
Within the Hindu tradition, it’s not only Shiva who is associated with cannabis; other stories speak of Ganja as a gift to humanity from the gods as a way to cleanse minds and aid in meditation and spiritual quests. This sacred status ensures that cannabis continues to have a place within certain Hindu rituals and practices.
Cannabis and spirituality
Cannabis has a long and complex history in India and other Asian cultures, where it has been used for its medicinal, psychoactive, and spiritual properties. Its deep embedding in Hindu mythology and practice highlights its importance not just as a substance for recreation or medication but as a sacred plant capable of facilitating religious experience and enlightenment. Although its use is controversial and regulated in many parts of the world today, the tradition of Ganja, especially in the form of bhang during Holi, remains a vibrant part of Hindu culture and religious practice.