What if a simple green leaf could become a tiny lamp? There is a traditional Indian plant known as Pandav Batti, or Pandavara Batti, whose leaves are associated with an unusual use: when oil is applied to a leaf and it is lit, the leaf can burn like a wick. The plant is commonly identified as Callicarpa tomentosa, a beautyberry species found in parts of India and Sri Lanka. Its most fascinating story, however, comes from a popular belief connecting it with the Pandavas during their forest exile.
