In Buddhist scripture, stages of dairy production are used as metaphors for stages of enlightenment. Ghee is also used in bhang in order to heat the cannabis to cause decarboxylation, making the drink psychoactive. įinding ghee pure enough to use for sacred purposes is a problem these days for devout Hindus, since many large-scale producers add salt to their product. In the Mahabharata, the kaurava were born from pots of ghee. Ghee is required in Vedic worship of mūrtis (divine deities), with aarti (offering of ghee lamp) called diyā or dīpa and for Pañcāmṛta ( Panchamruta) where ghee along with mishri, honey, milk, and dahi (curd) is used for bathing the deities on the appearance day of Krishna on Janmashtami, Śiva ( Shiva) on Mahā-śivarātrī ( Maha Shivaratri). Ghee has been used in rituals since the Vedic period and it is a sacred requirement in Vedic yajña and homa (fire rituals), through the medium of Agni (fire) to offer oblations to various deities (See: Yajurveda).įire rituals are utilized for ceremonies such as marriage and funerals. Traditionally, ghee is made from bovine milk, either cow or water buffalo. The word ghee comes from Sanskrit: घृत ( ghṛta-, IPA: ) 'clarified butter', from ghṛ- 'to sprinkle'. The texture, color, and taste of ghee depend on the quality of the butter, the milk used in the process, and the duration of boiling time. Ghee is typically prepared by simmering butter, which is churned from cream, skimming any impurities from the surface, then pouring and retaining the clear liquid fat while discarding the solid residue that has settled to the bottom. It is commonly used in India for cooking, as a traditional medicine, and for religious rituals. Ghee is a type of clarified butter, originating from India. †Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.

Clarified butter use