Pattal and dona leaves are eco-friendly in nature which are made from SAL LEAVES. The plate is in a circular shape with six to eight leaves attached to a narrow wooden sticks.
It is mainly used for prasad in temples to offer the deity. This pattal and dona leaves have been used since ancient times for its holiness.
The quality of the food remains intact in paper dona pattal. It is an ideal alternative for plastic, good for health and wildlife.
Regional uses
The plates are widely used in barren areas of India like Madhya pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, etc and parts of Nepal like Dharan, Dhamak, Kathmandu, etc.
Customs & traditions related to donas & pattal
India is mainly known for its rich culture and traditional values. In olden days the son- in- law’s agility would be tested by making the pattal plate and bowl then only he would be accepted by his would be father- in- law.
Uses of dona & dattal outside India
In Nepal pattal is called Tapari. Indians and Nepalese use it for religious purposes, feasts, funerals, etc. It is used as an alternative for plastic and metal.
Modern day trends and experiments related to disposable plates
People use pattal even today because it is eco – friendly and biodegradable. They do not require cleaning with soaps and detergents and are easily recyclable.
Environmental importance of pattal
Steps of making leaf plate
The steps involved in leaf plate making are leaf collection, drying, stitching the leaves into plates and transporting them.