I am prompted to write about the traditions of Paan in India from and instance which occurred couple of years back. As I was working with a western couple and we were in Varanasi suddenly the lady guest uttered stop stop as she saw something. I in amazement asked her the reason she said look that man is bleeding from mouth. I smiled and explained to her the actual reason as the man spit paan from mouth with red lips. The couple was amazed as there could be something which can elucidate blood like pigment. Later I tried to quench the inquisitions of the couple and showed the paan at the famous Paan shop in Varanasi.

In Indian subcontinent the practice of Paan culture is very old. This can be traced back thousands of years back the scripture of India mention the importance of Paan and in Sanskrit language it is called Tambul. It is refereed as the ornament of mouth. Still it is very popular with the Hindus to have Paan with the worship. Book Maharaja Express

It is believed that the chewing of Pan in India began with the contact of Austronesian traders from Indonesian, Malay with Sri Lanka and south India nearly 4000 years back.

 How Paan is Made?

Paan is also split as pan and is prepared from betel leaf (Piper betle) called paan patta in Hindi language. It comprises of areca catechu, slaked lime, copped betel, menthol and other ingredients. Leaves of the betel plant are wrapped around such ingredients and sometimes with tobacco also. After chewing it is either spent out or swallowed. Katha is known as Mukhras which together with menthol works as mouth freshener.

Types of Paan

There are 2 major kinds of Paan leaf- Varanasi Paan and Desi Paan. There are several kinds of paan such as Meetha Paan (sweet paan) Masala pan, Gulkand Pan, Sada Pan to name a few.  Some famous Pan shops of Lucknow, Hyderabad, Agra, Varanasi have hundreds of varieties of Pan at display.

Pan Masala – Other form of Paan Culture

This is a mixture of areca nut, slaked lime catechu and other ingredients mixed with fragrance. Sometimes it is mixed with tobacco and is called Gutkha In pan masala mixture you find fennel seeds as the pure menthol. In the process of pan masala making sugar and water is boiled and mixed with fennel seeds, powder crystallized sugar, cardamom powder etc and later packed in airtight pouch.

Now you see sachet hanging outside Pan shops of vimal pan masala, Tansen Pan Masala, Rajshree Pan masala, etc. A well known pan Masala brand is Rajnigandha Pan Masala and Manik chand which you can buy in various parts of India

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Religious significance of Paan

Betel leaf or Paan is referred as a token of love not only in India but across the whole south Asian countries. Pan is supposed to originate from Sanskrit word “Parna” which signify leaf importance of Paan culture in India can be realized from the fact that most of wedding venues in North India install a Paan shop at the reception Gate and the marriage ceremony for the groom starts with the Paan chewing. Paan is considered as a token of appreciation and the incidence goes back in to Indian mythology when Mata sita offered a wreathe of Paan to Lord Hanuman at the first sight to appraise his valour, devotion and dedication to Lord. The famous Indian festivals like Diwali, Durga Puja have Paan as an indispensable worship material placed with Kalash.

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 The role of Paan in Ayurveda?

Paan has a vital role in Ayurved. It is useful to cure the disease caused by air and is a powerful remedy from cold and cough. It is digestive and antiseptic values are manifold. Paan leaf itself is harmless until used with areca nuts and tobacco.

 History of Paan & Beedi

Most of the archaeologist and botanic evidences say that chewing of paan started in the islands of south Asia. It is considered that catechu plant originated from Philippines and Paan (Piper betel) is some other south Asian country. The earliest evidence of Paan chewing can be traced back from the burial site in Duyong cave of Palawan island. The dentition of the found skeletons is stained similar to the betel chewers. It is considered that from Philippines it went to Taiwan and rest of the south Asian countries. Such as Vietnam, Borneo, Cambodia, Thailand etc.

While the Austronesian traders came to south Indian coastal parts 3500 BCE they brought paan and Katha Plants with train. The traditions of Paan chewing reached the north Indian parts nearly 400 BCE from this area it reached to Persia and the Middle east by the silk route trading.

The history of Beedies can be traced back to 17^th century back in India. Tobacco came to India with the Portuguese and by the mid of 17^th century it was widely cultivated in India. The Bidi was invented by the tobacco workers who used to roll leftover tobacco in to the leaves. By the end of 20^th century Beedi industry had a boom in India and tender leaves were used to make Bidi up to few decades back pahalwan brand, chakor brand were most famous brand. Madhya Pradesh state has the highest number of Beedi workers in India. Ganesh Beedi owned by Gopinath shenoy and Ramnath Shenoy is a popular brand.

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Panchamrit word is the fusion of two words of Sanskrit Panch and Amrit. Pancha means five and Amrit signifying nectar. As the mixture is prepared by an amalgamation of five important matters Honey, Basil leaves Cow milk, liquid jaggery, ghee (skimmed butter) and Dahi (yogurt) these five ingredients from Panchamrit which is often referred as Charanaamrit or the nectar of the deity’s feet. During your Agra Mathura Vrindavan Tour while visiting the famous temples and offering worship you can have Panchamrita from the Pries as a mark of respect to the deity.

Recipe of Panchamrit

Tulsi (Basil)

Tulsi plant is one of the most auspicious plants in the Hinduism. It is considered to be the anode of so many duties. The followers of Hindu religion consider Tulsi as an earthly embodiment of Goddess Laxmi. She is believed to be close to Lord Krishna. Many Hindu scriptures throw light on Goddess Tulsi. That’s why many people worship with with the rosary made of Tulsi beeds. The devout Hindus give place this sacred plant in their houses. To venerate the goddess they mix Tulsi leaves in Panchamrit and in prasadan.

This plant has many medicinal value also and is very useful in soar that and works as an antioxidant. The modern researches show that this is also helpful in bringing down radio activity.

Cow Milk

Since time immemorial the Vedic civilization was based on Pastoral-ism and the cow has great importance. According to the legends the cow is supposed to have the dwelling place of millions deities inside it.

Cow milk is thought very sacred by the Hindus. In the legendary Ocean Churning event 14 gems were obtained and one among them was Kamdhenu. In Hindu religious ceremony of Pran Pratisha milk pouring on the Idol is dare. Similarly Lord Shiva devotees go to the temples and appease the Lord with milk, belpatra and billadena fruit, thus have divine gratitude. The hindus believe in cow as an abode of 33 crore gods and Goddess. Krishna worshippers also find cow as holy animal. Lord Krishna had a great company with cow hearders. 

Even today cow milk is considered very good for health on account of it’s lightness and easy digestive nature. Even the pediatricians recommend the cow milk to the babies. Similarly on account of medicinal use.  

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Honey & Jaggery

There is a great importance of honey in Hindu rituals. Honey is an important constituent of Panchamrit during Puja. The Sanskrit name of Honey is Madhu which is obtained from the honey cambs. Since the times immeonirals Aryans used this natural as food and medicinal usage. This is the reason that many vedic yajans were performed with the offerings of peavey and other sacred materials to appease the Gods and Goddess. Both Indra and Lord Krishna have their name as Madhaw which is derived from the word – Madhu. Honey is used as a component in many drugs.

It was customary in the old time in Indian civilization to perform the ritual of Madhu Abhiseka on the sacred duty. Similarly during the marriages honey used to play a vital role to word off the evils away from the houses. Thus it was thought that the newly married couple can live peacefully without any hardships.

Jaggery also has multiple usage and before the sugar was marketed in India by the British jaggery was commonly used as food.

Ghee & Dahi

Ghee is similarly very useful. It was used earlier for burning lamps and is a major component of nutritive diet. Dahi or yogurt is also considered best materials on account of digestive value. Milk symbolizes purity, yogurt for good traditions. Ghee stands for healthy relations with others and the honey for sweetness sturdy nature.

Why Banana leaves are holy for Hindu Puja?

The legends say that Rishi Durvasa once cursed his wife to turn into a banana plant on account of interruption into his sleep. On her merciful pleadings the saint blessed her, giving her a boom that they would be treated special and as a holy plant. The fruit of banana is offered in all pujas and the Hindu places of worships like the temples and Bhagvat Kathas are adorned with banana leaves.

The banana plant is considered as God Brahaspati and is worshipped with incense stick, flowers, Haldi Kumkum and Rakha sutra.    

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