Saffron in ritual
Saffron's place in Hindu offerings, Kashmiri Pandit customs and Persian celebration and hospitality.
Also: saffron in Hindu rites, Persian saffron, kesar tilak, zafran ritual
Saffron's colour and cost have made it sacred and festive in many cultures. In Hinduism, kesar is used in tilak, in offerings to deities, in temple milk and in sweets; saffron-coloured robes mark renunciation and are worn by monks and sadhus. Kashmiri Pandits use saffron in rites and food, and Kashmiri weddings feature saffron tea, kahwa. In Persia, saffron flavours rice, desserts and rosewater, scents Nowruz tables and welcomes guests, and the Persian word zafaran gave the English name. Ancient Minoan frescoes show saffron gatherers, and the spice is mentioned in Greek and Roman writings. Buddhist robes were historically dyed with it, though modern ones often use other pigments.