Tea is a beverage Indians can’t live without, quite literally! The beloved chai is an inseparable part of India’s food culture, and in fact is enjoyed regardless of any occasion. While tea has been invented in China, there are a few legends surrounding it that have Indian roots. In this article, we’ll find out what is the Indian legend regarding the discovery of tea and dive deep into the tea story!
What Legends Are Associated With The Origin Of Tea?
There are a few variations associated with the origin of tea. The most common one is linked with the Sage Bodhidharma.
He was a prominent monk, possessing divine knowledge, hailing from the south of India.
The legend goes that he embarked on a pilgrimage to spread the teachings of Buddhism in China.
During his journey, he also experienced profound spiritual enlightenment.
He vowed to meditate for nine years without sleep to attain higher levels of spirituality.
However, like any other human body, his body was facing several challenges such as being unable to keep up with constant drowsiness.
He grew concerned about his drowsiness interrupting his meditative journey and looked for a solution.
Searching for one, he came across a rather peculiar plant that had glossy green leaves. His curious mind instantly made him pluck a few leaves.
Chewing on it, he realized that the bitter leaves granted him alertness and vitality.
This is how the wise sage came across the tea plant, marking an important turning point in the unraveling of the ‘tea story’.
What Is The Indian Legend Regarding The Discovery of Tea: An Alternate Story
Do you know that there is an alternate legend about Sage Bodhidharma and his tea adventures?
Yes, and this one might sound more unusual than the previous one, but is amusing nonetheless.
The legend goes that he was battling exhaustion and drowsiness and feared that it would interrupt his meditation.
He kept falling asleep while meditating, and this enraged him to a point where he cut off his own eyelids so that he could never sleep again.
He threw his eyelids onto the ground and it is said that tea plants grew from the place where he threw his eyelids.
This version might sound less believable than the first one, but it is quite interesting, isn’t it!
Cultural Significance of Tea In India
Now that we know what is the Indian legend regarding the discovery of tea, let’s understand the cultural significance of tea in India.
Chai is not just a beverage, it is a glorious sign of Indian hospitality. Even today, guests are first served a hot cup of tea as a refreshment.
The simple act of brewing tea invokes a strong sense of community and togetherness. Indian families mostly have an evening snack session accompanied with this beverage and some light snacks, where many family members and neighbors bond over the beloved drink.
Indian culture as a whole is heavily dependent on bonding over food, and chai sessions are an important part of it.
You May Like Also: Why India Is Incredible Travel
Summing Up
Tea is an essential part of every Indian’s life, right from a morning cutting chai to an evening tea-snack break.
Be it with milk and chai masala, or with just water, tea continues to be popular not just in India, but also around the world.
Bodhidharma’s legend about tea highlights the centuries-old presence of tea in Indian culture.
So, when are you brewing your next cup of tea?
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Indian legend regarding the discovery of tea:
Q1. Who Invented Tea In India?
While there are no official records about the invention of tea in India, the legend of Bodhidharma is one of the earliest records associating tea with our country. In 1776, the botanist Sir Joseph Banks (the great English botanist) recommended that tea cultivation be undertaken in India.
Q2. Who Introduced Tea First In India?
The British are credited with formally introducing tea to India in the late 1700s to overcome the monopoly of Chinese tea production.
Q3. Is Chai Indian Or Pakistani?
When tea was introduced in India in the late 1700s, Pakistan was technically a part of mainland India, with the Partition happening centuries later in 1947. So, it can be said that chai isn’t exclusively Indian or Pakistani, but a shared cultural symbol of both the countries.
