Thandai: An Indian 'Trip' to celebrate Holi

It's springtime!!! This is when when Indians all over the country celebrate the curious festival of Holi. This is when children of ages 5 to 95 get out on the streets and partake in a literal explosion of spraying color and water. Holi encourages you to connect with your inner mischievous child, which is probably why it is celebrated with such vigor, irrespective of religious affiliation across India. Everywhere you look, you will see clouds of red, green, pink, yellow and purple, erupting all over the place. The 'Puchkari's' are brought out for this occasion, which is basically India's answer to a Super-soaker. Into this hugely overgrown syringe is suctioned colored water, which is then sprayed on the unsuspecting participants of this childish ritual. Kids spend hours the night before, filling little balloons with water, and gathering them in buckets to declare war on the neighborhood, not much different from a snowball skirmish around Christmas. From the bonfire celebration, the night before, to the literal physical manifestation of Picasso's palette, Holi is one party you do not want to miss out on.

What brings me the happiest memories however, is Bhang Thandai, the traditional drink that accompanies this celebration. The beverage Thandai is an absolutely delicious milk based beverage made with and infusion of ground almonds, peppercorns, poppy seeds, cardamon, fennel and watermelon seeds along with sugar, saffron and rose essence. The addition of Bhang is what makes it fun. Bhang is the extract of cannabis leaves.

I read this on Wikipedia that the 1961 Single convention on Narcotic drugs bans the use and sale of cannabis in India. However the convention's definition of 'cannabis' does not include the leaves of the plant, and that is how the Bhang culture is legally preserved in India. The leaves of the cannabis plant is ground up and turned into pellets called 'Golis'. You add this to the grinding process of nuts, seeds and spices. Combine this mixture with whole milk and steep for a few hours for complete absorption of goodness and 'health benefits'. Strain and serve chilled.

For those adventurous ones who enjoy such kinds of mental exploration, a Bhang Thandai Holi experience should be a bucket list item. Dress up in a clean white kurta to start the day. Enjoy a glass (or five) of refreshing milky deliciousness, and then throw yourself into the communal debauchery of colorful exchange. Give it an hour or two to take full effect, and enjoy what could be perhaps the most transcendental experience of your life.

Happy Holi, everyone.

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