Paan is claimed to be chewed as palate-cleanser also known as betel quid. These leaves belong to the family of Piperaceae which comprising pepper and kava and is a native of South and South East Asia. Some songs of eastern India illustrates the Himalayas as the birth-place of paan.
The top causes why paan is vital in Hindu Traditions-
- Paan or betel leaves play a significant role in Indian tradition, customs and rituals.
- It is believed since many decades Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati themselves had sown the seeds of paan in the Himalayan ranges thus one of the main reason why paan is used in all the auspicious Vedic functions or puja requires betel leaves.
- Paan (betel leaves) is considered as the most essential puja elements in Hindu rituals.
- Moreover, paan holds equal importance with other Hindu sacred trees and plants including Durva Grass, Tulsi, bilva, etc.
- Paan is also known as Tambulam in Sanskrit is traditionally offered by Hindus to guests after food because of its healthy properties.
- The betel leaves known as a symbol of freshness and prosperity. However, according to Skanda Purana, paan leaf was obtained by the gods during the churning of the ocean for the nectar another reason why it considered in puja as Hindu believe that different deities reside in the betel leaf.
- In Hindu custom Betel, leaves garlands are offered to Lord Hanuman.
- There are various nutritional benefits of chewing paan like thiamine, niancin, riboflavin, carotene Fibre, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Potassium, Calcium, Iron and Iodine.
- Betel leaves are also used in Ayurvedic medicines in releasing cough, laminating bad breath, prevent damage to the teeth, treating a nosebleed, stopping bleeding gums, and are also helpful in reducing anti-cancer properties.
- Lastly, betel leaves are mentioned in some form or other in the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Numerous other reasons are there why paan is so significant in Hindu Customs. If you want to perform some rituals and puja at your home then order betel leaves from “Mast Banarasi Paan” and offer to the guestsas a token of joy, appreciation, and happiness along with flavored delicacies memento.
