Explore the deep significance of the versatile, seasonal Mahua plant at the second edition of the Mahua Festival in Madhya Pradesh
A Mahua tree in bloom. PICS COURTESY/PUGDUNDEE SAFARIS
The Mahua plant (Madhuca longifolia/latifolia) deserves some credit for being one of the few plants whose Latin name you can decode with basic deduction. Madhuca (sweet, from Sanskrit) and longifolia (long-leaved, in Latin). The plant has a long history, from being a lifesaver for tribals during famines, to being labelled a ‘poor man’s plant’ by the British. Paying little heed to the latter, a week-long Mahua Festival by Pugdundee Safaris in Madhya Pradesh will explore its rich cultural significance.
Bhunja Mahua by (right) chef Harshita Kakwani
“We hope guests leave with a deeper understanding of indigenous knowledge systems and the responsibility that comes with engaging meaningfully with the wild,” says co-founder Manav Khanduja. Spread across five jungle lodges and the local tribal settlements, choose from our picks of experiences that you don’t want to miss this season.
On April 1 to 8
At Pugdundee Safaris, multiple locations across Bandhavgarh, Pench, Kanha, and Satpura.
Log on to pugdundeesafaris.com (for more details)
Mahua in India
The Mahua tree requires dry tropical conditions to blossom annually in spring. In India, one might better know it as the following
>> Mohwra in the Sahyadri ranges in Maharashtra
>> Moha or Mahwa in the Chota Nagpur Plateau
>> Mahua in Madhya Pradesh, the largest producer
>> Hippe, Ippe, or Elupa in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Flower power
Closer to home in Maharashtra, Gaurang and Saurabh Motta founded Monks Bouffe in 2021, with a focus on Mahua grown and harvested by the Thakar tribes in the Western Ghats near Karjat. Shop from a fresh range of produce this season.
>> Dried flowers: Use them as a superfood in your salads, or as a natural sweetener in your jams, juices, or sweets.
>> Mahua oil: Used widely as a massage oil, tribes believe it does wonders for bone health.
>> Mahua nectar: Similar in consistency to honey, the naturally extracted sweetener is ideal for your cup of coffee, or as a substitute to jaggery.
Log on to: monksbouffe.com
The Guide’s picks
Wild Mushrooms and Mahua Bao
>> Forest food curator and consultant chef Harshita Kakwani is cooking up a Mahua-centred menu that explores the plant in its fresh, dried, soaked, and roasted forms.
Locals collect Mahua blossoms from the forest
>> If you’re the adventurous kind, step into the forest with the tribal community to observe how the flowers are collected in traditional baskets. Interact with the locals to understand the cultural, historical, and culinary significance of Mahua.
A traditional outdoor distillation setup
>> Mahua liquor, made by distilling the flower, is known to have a distinct buzz. From being prohibited under the Mhowra Act of 1892, to being declared a heritage spirit by the state, watch the drink being distilled by locals.
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