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