Ghevar and Medicine – A Surprising Connection
In Rajasthan, the arrival of the monsoon brings more than just rains—it signals the return of ghevar. This layered, syrup-soaked sweet is beloved during festivals like Teej and Raksha Bandhan. But beyond its festive significance, some historians believe ghevar and medicine might be interlinked.
Nourishment in a Sweet
During the monsoon, digestion is said to slow, and people often feel low energy or more susceptible to ailments. Ghevar—rich in ghee, sugar, milk, and sometimes flavored with saffron or garnished with nuts—serves as a dense source of calories. These ingredients may have helped people cope during the more challenging monsoon days, offering both comfort and energy.
The Ayurvedic Whisper
Ayurveda suggests that seasonal changes require shifts in what we eat. When digestion (known as agni) weakens in damp or humid weather, it encourages foods that are nutritious but gentle. Ghee is prized for its immune-boosting qualities in such texts; sugar restores energy; spices like cardamom are believed to have soothing effects.
Ritual and Taste in link of Ghevar and Medicine
Over time, ghevar’s practical side—its ability to nourish—became intertwined with culture and ritual. What might once have been made partly as a therapeutic or replenishing food is now primarily a symbol of festivity and familial love. Still, the original idea that ghevar could serve both pleasure and wellbeing lingers in its texture, its timing, and the way people anticipate it each monsoon.
