In an age where buffets and fine dining settings own our celebrations, yoga guru Acharya Balkrishna recently reminded us of a lovely, ancient Indian practice — having meals on pattal, plate of leaves.

His sentimental social media post mentioned how Indians have been using leaves of the Palash tree to make non-plastic, biodegradable plates since ancient times.

Advertisement

Not only is it practical, Acharya Balkrishna pointed out an incredible fact: consuming on these pattals is as healthy as eating off silverware, historically renowned for its healing powers.

उत्तम है बैठकर “ #पत्तल पर #भोजन करना ” #आचार्यबालकृष्ण pic.twitter.com/Fawm0U7hlh

— Acharya Balkrishna (@Ach_Balkrishna) March 3, 2025

Visualize a meal where the plate you consume your meal off is also feeding you. Pattals are not plates; they are bits of nature — toxin-free, antibacterial, and with the fine freshness of leaves.

In Ayurveda, Palash leaves are said to be purifying, and when used as plates on which food is served, they imbibe some of these therapeutic properties. It’s miles away from today’s plastic-coated disposable plates that kill us and the planet.

But Acharya Balkrishna’s message is not just about well-being. It’s about accepting our heritage and respecting local livelihoods. Pattal-making is a simple but important source of livelihood for many rural households in India.

By opting for pattals instead of imported or synthetic ones, we are directly supporting their income. It’s a gesture of respect — not only to our traditions, but to the working hands that keep them going.

Also Read: Patanjali Rose Sharbat Recipes: Learn how to create Insta-worthy, healthy treats!

The invitation to go back to pattals is also an invitation to reconsider how we celebrate. Buffets, while convenient, tend to result in a mechanical dining experience — a hurried stroll around a table of food, plates piled haphazardly, half-eaten servings left behind.

Instead, eating a meal served on a pattal invites mindfulness. You relish each bite, you are fully present with the food and people around you. It converts dining from a mechanical action into a spiritual ceremony.

At an environmental level, the benefits are as clear as day. Pattals are 100% biodegradable. They biodegrade on their own without leaving any residue, fertilizing the soil rather than contaminating it.

At a time when our world is straining under the burden of non-biodegradable waste, going back to such age-old practices can be a simple but potent move toward a cleaner future.

Integrating pattals into contemporary life need not seem retro. Imagine family parties, weddings, or neighborhood gatherings where food is on intricately leaf plates that bring people closer to India’s vibrant living heritage.

Combine them with organic food, folk music, and environmentally friendly decor, and you have an experience that is both true and elegantly innovative.