Palang or Jandhom, Tarayana

Palang or Jandhom is a wooden container traditionally used for storing various liquids. The age-old craft has been a lifeline for Bhutanese communities. It is often made out of bamboo, horn, or wood and is decorated with brass rings or other metals, making it an exquisite piece. The people in the east are widely known for using the container to store and offer beverages to their guests even to this day. For some, it serves as a home decorative piece.

First, the wood is cut into the size of the flask. It is then drilled inside and then chiseled to give the proper shape and size. The next step is to dry it in the sun for almost a week after which the outer part of the container is painted. It is then ornamented with brass or other metals, making it an exquisite piece. The people in the east widely use the container to store and offer beverages specifically Ara to the guests even to this day. 

What is Ara? Ara (ཨ་རག་) is a traditional Bhutanese beverage. As it plays an important role in the social and religious culture of Bhutan, it is made at home all over Bhutan. The practice of making ara is very common, mostly undertaken by women of the household.

Several cereals are used for making ara and the practice varies from region to region. In eastern parts of Bhutan, maize is the most common material for ara although millet, rice, and wheat are also used. In the highlands and valleys of central Bhutan, wheat and barley are commonly used while buckwheat is also used sometimes. In western parts of Bhutan, wheat, rice, and barley are the main ingredients for ara. People today also use apples and potatoes to produce ara.