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Banaras Pan

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Banaras Pan (Betel Leaf) - बनारसी पान[1]
Geographical indication
Alternative namesDesi Paan
DescriptionBetel leaf (Piper betle) variety cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, India
TypeBetel leaf
AreaVaranasi, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Ballia, Ghazipur, Azamgarh, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra districts
CountryIndia
Registered31 March 2023
Official websiteipindia.gov.in

Banaras Pan (Betel Leaf) is an important traditional crop variety of Betel leaf (Piper betle) cultivated in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.[2][3] It is mainly cultivated in the Varanasi, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Ballia, Ghazipur, Azamgarh, Mirzapur, and Sonbhadra districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Under its Geographical Indication tag, it is referred to as "'Banaras Pan (Betel Leaf)".[4]

Name

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It is named after its place of origin, the region of Banaras (also known as Varanasi), located in Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh. The word "Paan" originates from the Sanskrit term "Parna," meaning leaf. With its roots in ancient India, Paan was consumed not only for its medicinal properties but also for its symbolic auspicious significance.[5] Locally, the Banaras Pan is also known as "Desi Pan".

Description

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The Banaras Pan leaf is a dioeciously perennial root climber that thrives in warm and humid climates.[6] It has simple, alternate, ovate, cordate, acuminate or acute, entire, and bright green leaves. The Piper Betel vine, on the other hand, is a tropical shade-loving perennial evergreen vine that can grow up to 6-10 feet in Varanasi conditions.[7] Its leaves are yellowish green to dark green with a glossy upper surface and have a characteristic and pleasant odour.[8]

Banaras Pan is renowned for its high-quality leaves, which are rich in tannins and have a distinctive taste ranging from sweet to pungent due to the presence of essential oils.[9] The Pan growers in the region bundle 200 leaves together, known as a Dholi.[10] Varanasi is a major center for the trade and commerce of Pan leaves, with the Pan Mandi (Pan-Dariba) being a key marketplace. The primary customers are those who prepare paan, mainly large-scale "Paanwari" from Varanasi and surrounding districts, including Bhadohi, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Prayagraj, Chandauli, and Mirzapur.[11] The Pan Dariba in Varanasi is an important hub for marketing Pan leaves from the surrounding regions.[12][13][14]

Betel leaf along with betel nut serve a multitude of purposes, encompassing culinary, medicinal, social, and spiritual uses.[15]

Religious Significance

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In Indian culture, betel leaves and betel nuts hold significant importance in Puja rituals. These items are offered to deities at the commencement of every puja ceremony. According to Hindu mythology, the betel plant is considered extremely auspicious, believed to have originated from the divine elixir produced during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthana). In Hindu worship, betel leaves are placed in the Pooja Kalasha, a sacred vessel used for rituals. After the completion of worship, the water from the Kalasha is considered sacred and is consumed as "Charnamrit", a symbol of divine blessings.[16] Furthermore, betel leaves play a vital role in Indian weddings, particularly during the 'Kanyadana' ritual.[17]

Paan (Betel Quid)

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Also known famously as only "Paan" (Betel Quid) - is a traditional Indian after-dinner treat that consists of a betel leaf filled with various ingredients. The filling typically includes chopped betel nut, slaked lime (chuna) and red katha paste made from the khair tree (Acacia catechu). Assorted other ingredients may also be added.[18] Paan is served folded into a triangle or rolled and is chewed before being spat out or swallowed. With its origins dating back to ancient times, paan is a timeless tradition that originated in India.[19][20]

"Khayike Paan Banaras Wala" is a classic song featuring Amitabh Bachchan from the 1978 film "Don".[21] The song's lyrics indeed reference the famous Banaras Paan, highlighting its popularity and cultural significance.[22][23]

Geographical indication

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It was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry, under the Union Government of India, on 31 March 2023.[24][25]

Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Namami Gange Farmer Producer Company Limited from Varanasi, proposed the GI registration of 'Banaras Pan (Betel Leaf)'. After filing the application in December 2020, the Betel leaf was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Banaras Pan (Betel Leaf)" exclusive to the Betel leaf cultivated in the region.[26] It thus became the first Betel leaf variety from Uttar Pradesh and the 47th type of goods from Uttar Pradesh to earn the GI tag.[27][28]

The GI tag protects the Banaras Pan (Betel Leaf) from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Tiwary, Vikash Kumar; Paisa, India TV (4 April 2023). "'पान बनारस वाला' को मिला जीआई टैग, जानिए इस उपलब्धि के क्या हैं मायने? - India TV Hindi". India TV Paisa (in Hindi).
  2. ^ "Sweet Pride of Varanasi: Banarasi Paan, Langda Aam, Two Other Products Get GI Tag". News18. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  3. ^ "Banarasi Paan, Langda mango, Ramnagar Bhanta and Chandausi's adamchini chawal (rice) gets and GI tag in varanasi". The Economic Times. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  4. ^ "Banarasi Paan, Langda Mango and other Varanasi-UP-based goods receive GI tag". www.businesstoday.in. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  5. ^ "Paan-tastic". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  6. ^ "Banaras Pan (Betel Leaf)". National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  7. ^ "G.I. APPLICATION NUMBER – 730" (PDF). LOGOकृषि विपणन एवं कृषि विदेश व्यापार निदेशालय, उ. प्र. Directorate of Agricultural Marketing and Agriculture Foreign Trade, U.P. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  8. ^ Ambrose, Dawn C. P.; Manickavasagan, Annamalai; Naik, Ravindra (25 July 2016). Leafy Medicinal Herbs: Botany, Chemistry, Postharvest Technology and Uses. CABI. ISBN 978-1-78064-559-9. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  9. ^ "Antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of selected varieties of Piper betle L. (Betel leaf)". ResearchGate GmbH. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  10. ^ Crooke, William (1879). Materials for a Rural and Agricultural Glossary of the Northwestern Provinces and Oudh. North-western provinces and Oudh government Press. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  11. ^ Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers: Varanasi. Government of Uttar Pradesh. 1965. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  12. ^ "People consume 'Banarasi paan' worth more than Rs 1 crore every day". ETV Bharat News. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  13. ^ Jaglan, Mahabir S. (31 July 2021). Reflections on 21st Century Human Habitats in India: Felicitation Volume in Honour of Professor M. H. Qureshi. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-981-16-3100-9. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  14. ^ Service, Express News (21 July 2023). Delhi: Hidden Treasures in the alleyways of Shahjahanabad, Dariba Kalan. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  15. ^ "Betel leaf and betel nut in folklore on cultivation". ResearchGate GmbH. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  16. ^ Anand, Dr Amrendra Kumar (15 March 2024). CEREMONIAL AND RITUAL PLANTS OF INDIA: The Shubh-Labh Connections Between Spirituality And Science. Blue Rose Publishers. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  17. ^ "The story behind the tradition of using Paan leaves in foods and rituals". The Times of India. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  18. ^ Gopalkrishnan, G. Shankar (8 May 2021). "The paan-India habit". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  19. ^ "Paan". Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  20. ^ Jishnu, Latha (22 November 2021). "The bizarre demand for a Banarasi paan GI". Down To Earth. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  21. ^ "To celebrate the Benarasi Paan's new GI tag, visit these four Kolkata shops now". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  22. ^ "Banarasi Paan Finally Wins! It Is Awarded With Special GI Tag". NDTV Food. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  23. ^ DUBEY, KRISHNA GOPAL (27 September 2010). THE INDIAN CUISINE. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-203-4170-8. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  24. ^ "Banaras Pan (Betel Leaf)". Intellectual Property India. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  25. ^ "Banarasi Langda mango, Banarasi paan are latest entrants to GI tag club". Business Today. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  26. ^ "PM promoting Varanasi GI products augurs well for the region: Expert". Hindustan Times. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  27. ^ "Banarasi Paan and langda mango, among others, receive GI tag". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  28. ^ "From Banarasi Paan to Langda Mango These 10 Products From UP Get GI Tag | FULL LIST". Times Now. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
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