The festive atmosphere at Ramdevra in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district has reached its peak during the annual Bhadwa fair. Among the various customs that celebrate communal harmony and fellowship at this renowned pilgrimage, a five-decade-old gathering continues to draw attention from visitors nationwide. At the Bhala Foundation Dharamshala, the 45th 'Akhil Bharatiya Bhang Sneh Milan' took place, where devotees gathered in large numbers and finished 200 litres of bhang prasad within just 20 minutes. What began half a century ago as a modest initiative to promote mutual warmth has grown into a major annual highlight of the pilgrimage.
A Rich Recipe Made with Milk and Dry Fruits
On Tuesday, the preparation of this collective offering was carried out on a massive scale. The recipe incorporated 20 kilograms of bhang ground thoroughly for the occasion. To enrich the blend, organizers added one quintal of milk along with 30 kilograms of premium dry fruits, including almonds, pistachios, cashews, raisins, and rock sugar. Preparing such a massive volume was a collaborative effort, with pilgrims actively assisting at every stage of the process. Once ready, the concoction was ceremonially offered to Lord Bhole Baba before being shared among the assembled devotees as consecrated prasad.
From Competitive Drinking to Voluntary Consumption
The gathering once featured an organised drinking contest where participants competed for the highest intake. In those past contests, individual participants would sometimes consume between 10 and 12 litres of bhang. However, organizers subsequently discontinued the competition format to reflect changing times and priorities. Today, the event has no winners or rankings; attendees simply partake according to their personal preference and tolerance. Enthusiasts arriving from major urban centres including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai, as well as Rajasthan cities such as Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Jodhpur, drank the entire 200-litre batch in a mere 20 minutes with remarkable festive zeal.
Promoting Unity and Social Harmony on a Single Floor Mat
Hiralal Harsh, who oversees the management of the event, stated that the central purpose of the gathering is to foster affection, goodwill, and brotherhood among people. Participants sit together on a single shared floor cloth, reinforcing familial bonds across social boundaries. Setting aside social divisions, background differences, and personal grievances, the crowd unites in chants praising the deity. The ongoing Ramdevra fair commenced on September 13 on the occasion of Bhadwa Dooj and is scheduled to conclude on September 26. Official estimates indicate that between 50 and 60 lakh pilgrims have already visited the shrine to offer their prayers during this period.
