What's all the buzz about?

Directly east from the Bal Ashram, across the Ganges, the Amirt Sagar ('Ocean of Nectar") Environmental Center constantly brims with activity. The 10 acre parcel is home to many on-going projects, including a dairy, vegetable and herb gardens, solar panels, bio gas system and a bee colony. This last month, the buzz has been all about the bees.


I had the pleasure to spend time with Bee Experts Alessandro and Barbara Buisnar, during their one month visit to the Bal Ashram from Venice Italy. Although the bee project has been active since 2010, the program needed a bit of guidance and fine tuning from the father-daughter team.


I accompanied Alessandro and Barbara on a recent trip to check on each hive with Eco Center resident and Bee Keeper in Training, Ramesh. The Center currently homes over 20 Langstroth Hives each hosting 60-70 thousand bees..each with one Queen.

 Queen bees lay an average of 1,500-2 thousand eggs per day. While most result in workers and drones, the rearing of another Queen is avoided to prevent swarming -the original queen leaving the hive with her 'swarm' looking for a new residence. This is done by pulling each cell out of its hive and knocking off any 'queen cells' that contain the larvae of potential new leaders. It was inside these queen cells that I was able to taste a little bit of heaven. 

Ramesh, Alessandro and Loknath check one of the hives.

Ramesh inspecting for a 'Queen Cell"

Royal Jelly is secreted from the glands in the heads of worker bees. All larvae is initially fed royal jelly but only  burgeoning queens are fed it exclusively. Reported to have many health benefits including  brain cell growth, antibiotic effects, cholesterol lowering and anti-inflammatory agents as well as anti-aging properties, this bi product is certainly sought-after. The taste is mildly sweet with an almost goat cheese like quality. Sucking the jelly out of a freshly cracked queen cell is certainly a moment I will remember forever! 

After removing the larvae, the Royal Jelly is ready to eat!

My first taste!

Alessandro and Barbara spent many days with the Eco Center team, sharing their vast knowledge and immense respect for bees and the vital role they play in the  worlds ecosystem. Success with this program moves Bal Ashram closer to self sufficiency, with income generated from the sale of the honey as well as provides the young adults of the Ashram with responsibility and ownership in an important link to the Aghor Foundation's prosperity.


Namaste,
Caspian Merritt
Bal Ashram