Deep Rooted Cultural Significance of Hadjod
When Hadjod Becomes More Than a Herb: A Ritual Journey from Hampi to Mumbai
At Hampi Organic Farms, Hadjod (Cissus quadrangularis) has always been part of our everyday farm life. We grow it with care, harvest it fresh, and usually process it into pickle for its long shelf life and convenience. But in October 2025, Hadjod showed us a completely different side of its importance — one that went far beyond nutrition or commerce, deep into culture, faith, and tradition.
A Call That Felt Unusual
In early October, we received a call from Mumbai. The request was simple yet surprising: fresh Hadjod stems were needed for a Homam ritual. Not pickle. Not dried material. Fresh stems — harvested and delivered within days.
My first reaction was practical. Shipping fresh Hadjod from Hampi to Mumbai is not straightforward. Hampi does not have direct logistics support for such shipments, especially for fresh plant material. I clearly explained that it would require a two-hop journey — first from Hampi to Bengaluru, and then from Bengaluru to Mumbai the next day. I also warned that the cost and effort would be high, anywhere between ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, with risks involved.
I even suggested a safer alternative: our Hadjod pickle, which has a much better shelf life and travels well by courier. From a farmer’s point of view, it made complete sense.
“This Has to Be Fresh”
The response from the customer changed the entire tone of the conversation. They explained that for this Homam, the Hadjod chutney must be prepared fresh and offered the same day. This was not a preference, but a long-standing family ritual that could not be altered.
At that moment, Hadjod stopped being just a crop from our farm. It became a living symbol of tradition — something deeply rooted in cultural practice and spiritual belief.
What struck me most was the customer’s repeated reassurance throughout our discussions:
“Don’t worry about the money. Whatever it costs, I will pay.”
This wasn’t about price. It was about preserving a ritual exactly as it had been followed for generations.
Making It Happen
After several calls and careful coordination, we decided to go ahead.
- October 3rd: Fresh Hadjod stems were harvested at our Hampi farm and sent to Bengaluru via Pooja Travels.
- October 4th: From Bengaluru, the package was scheduled to move to Mumbai via National Travels.
As with many real-world logistics stories, things didn’t go perfectly. There was a routing error by the operator in Bengaluru, which caused confusion and delay within the city itself. To correct this mistake, an additional ₹500 had to be paid.
Without hesitation, the customer bore this extra cost, staying calm and supportive through the entire process.
Finally, the fresh Hadjod reached Mumbai in time.
From Farm to Fire Ritual
Later, the customer shared photos from the Homam. Seeing those images was deeply moving. The same Hadjod that grew quietly in our Hampi soil had travelled hundreds of kilometres to become part of a sacred fire ritual in Mumbai.
That day, we were reminded that traditional plants are not just ingredients or products. They carry stories, beliefs, and continuity. Hadjod, often known today mainly for bone health, clearly holds a much older cultural significance — one that is still alive and respected.
What This Journey Taught Us
This experience reinforced something we strongly believe at Hampi Organic Farms: farming is not only about growing and selling. It is about preserving connections — between land and people, past and present, ritual and reality.
Hadjod’s journey from Hampi to Mumbai was not easy, not economical, and not logical by modern logistics standards. But it was meaningful. And sometimes, meaning matters more than convenience.
If anything, this episode reminded us why traditional crops deserve to be grown, protected, and respected — not just for their health benefits, but for the cultural threads they quietly hold together.
— Seshu for Hampi Organic Farms