Cannabis (bhang) lovers in Dehradun had a field day on the occasion of Mahashivratri as all temples of lord Shiva boasted of a large number of makeshift shops of thandai, pakoris and bhang golas for bhang aficionados.
Cannabis is considered to be a 'prasad' of lord Shiva and many lovers of the holy herb — as the fans love to call it — consume bhang during the festival of Mahashivratri.
Ashok Kumar, one among the large number of vendors of cannabis near the Tapkeshwar Temple, said thandai is much in demand during the day and is prepared by soaking cannabis in water and grinding it in a stone mortar.
Cashew, almond, rose petals, black pepper, Khas Khas, dried watermelon seeds and sonf are ground and added in generous proportions to milk. Mohan lal, a thandai lover, said that two to three glasses are good enough to give a nice swing to one's mood and lord Shiva protects bhang lovers on the day.
The vendors also offered ground bolus of cannabis and pakoris during the day.
Senior physician of Doon Hospital, Dr PC Pant, told The Pioneer that cannabis affects the brain and causes hallucinations.
People tend to overeat and talk too much after consuming it.
He said that the toxins in cannabis also cause wide mood swings. Pant said many people are forced to go to hospital after consuming bhang on the occasion of Mahashivratri.
