Jaisalmer’s Ramdevra turned into a haze of harmony on Tuesday, hosting the 45th All India Cannabis Gathering, a vibrant spectacle that drew nearly 2,000 devotees from Rajasthan to Dubai, coinciding with the inter-state Baba Ramdev Ji’s Bhadwa fair.Organised by the Bhalla Foundation Trust, the gathering transformed the desert town into a heady mix of cannabis culture and spiritual fervour.Enthusiasts from Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and beyond converged to prepare over 300 litres of cannabis-infused concoction offered to Lord Shiva, amidst resounding chants of “Bhole Baba”. The sacred blend – 11kg of cannabis, 151 litres of milk, 21kg of almonds, 5kg of raisins, and 11kg of sugar – took nearly five hours to craft. In 30 minutes, however, over 300 litres were joyously consumed, with some devotees downing more than three litres each.Hiralal Harsh, president of the Bhalla Foundation in Bikaner, said the festival, in its earlier avatar, was a contest between cannabis aficionados of Bikaner and Jodhpur. Over the past four years, however, the gathering has turned a new leaf, making it its mission to foster unity across faiths. “The annual gathering during the Bhadwa fair on ‘Dashmi’ aims to foster love and harmony among people of all faiths,” Harsh said, underscoring its five-decade legacy.Devotees from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and even Dubai joined locals like Madan Jerry – Tuesday’s top tippler, who consumed 3 litres – and Radha Pandit in this ritual.Vishnu Sharma, a cannabis enthusiast, praised the event’s inclusivity. “The event brings together people from all religious communities to maintain mutual love and harmony,” he said.
