'Puja' Flowers and other things used in 'puja' (Hindu Worship).: July 2015

Friday, July 31, 2015

Canna Lily - वैजयंती फूल

Canna Lily/Vaijayanti flower

         Vaijayanti flower is a common name for this flower of worship which is known as Canna Lily in English though it has no relation to the lily family of plants. It is a herb that is related to plants of ginger and banana. Even its leaves have a structure like banana leaves and in some rural areas, people call it केला फूल (Banana flower) which is confusing because the banana flower is the heart-like hanging flower from the cluster of bananas from which fruits develop. The flowers grow in many colors like red, yellow, orange, or a combination of colors. Big and brilliant flowers attract one's attention. 

Vaijayanti/Canna Lily plants in flowerbed

               Vaijayanti is a mythical flower whose garland is worn by God Vishnu or Krishna. This name is related to victory (विजय) and has been mentioned in Vishnu Sahastranaam Stotra. It means the "Garland of Victory". Though some people think this mythical Vaijayanti flower is not a Canna but some other non-wilting flower. But we are here not concerned about that divine garland but this Canna Lily which is commonly called Vaijayanti flower. The yellow, orange, and combined colored flowers are offered to God Vishnu and his avatars.

                Vaijayanti flowers are also offered to goddess Durga, Kaali, and her other avatars of "Shakti". As we see in "Durga Saptashati" she was victorious every time in war with demons (Rakshasa), so this flower of victory is also liked by her. The color of the flower chosen to offer her is red and its shades. 

Vaijayanti flower plants in a flower bed on
the campus of  Shiddheshwar, Temple, Orrisa

                  In fact, this flower is offered to almost all gods, devotees simply try to choose the favorite color of concerned God. Like yellow to Ganesha, red to Lakshmi, light-colored to Shiva, and so on. 

              The leaves of this flowerplant which resemble banana leaves are also used in worship-related activities in place of banana leaves. When "Kheer"(खीर - Rice pudding) is offered to Goddess Shakti, it is placed in front of the goddess on a piece of banana leaves. The Vaijayanti leaves are frequently used in place of banana leaves in such offerings.  

                The plant of Vaijayanti grows well in warm and humid climates. It flourishes near the drains and wells and marshy lands. The big, beautiful, and brilliant flowers make it a choice for garden flowers. It is grown in flower beds in the gardens, especially near the temples. I saw them in the well-maintained gardens on the campus of Mukteshwar and Sidheshwar temples at Bhubaneshwar, Orrisa.

                 One may offer these beautiful flowers or their garlands to gods and be blessed.

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Thursday, July 23, 2015

Tagar - A white flower

Widely used white "puja" flower              (हिंदी में पढ़ें)

             A milky white small flower with five petals and a thin light green peduncle (stem) which is popularly known as 'Tagar' is widely used in flower offerings to gods.
Single-layered Tagar/Taggar flower
Since white-colored flowers may be offered to most of the gods, their presence is common in flower baskets for worship. The white petals are not simple but slightly curved in the outer portion to give it a beautiful look. It resembles a pinwheel (फिरकी) so in some places, it is also known as a pinwheel flower. 'Tagar' plant is a shrub that may reach a height of 4-5 m with a dense canopy. In the rainy season, it flowers well with somewhat healthy-looking flowers and fills the outer side of the canopy evenly. This look of the plant given by white flowers and green leaves is awesome. But if this plant happens to be in a temple premises or hedge, only unreachable flowers remain to show their beauty. At dawn when people go for a morning walk, it is a common scene to see people (for personal 'puja' offerings) or flower-sellers (माली - for selling at a flower shop) plucking 'Tagar' flowers from that part of the plant which hangs outside of the boundaries. If the house owner is not present at the time, they may be seen plucking it even inside of the boundary wall/ fence as far as their hands reach. In the old colony of the Gardanibagh area of Patna, the 'Tagar' plant was widely used as a hedge along woven wire fencing. In most of the quarters, they were not regularly cut to shape, so they used to grow to a good height and flowered abundantly. The flower sellers would start in plucking business right from 4 AM in the morning and have a good harvest. Another reason for its popularity is that it flowers nearly the whole of the years. In summer when water is scarce, one may notice that the size and number of the flowers have diminished.

A Tagar shrub full of buds and a few  flowers
Most of the flowers have been plucked by devotees

             White flowers are offered to Shiva and Saraswati. Ganesh and Vishnu and many other gods. Even in the Hanuman temple, this flower is used in offerings. You can notice sellers, outside of the famous "Mahavir Mandir" of Patna, selling garlands of 'Tagar' flowers for worship and they would strongly insist visitors buy it. 

            The 'Tagar' plant does not bear fruits. The flowers do not remain fresh for more than 36 hours and fall down. It does not pollinate. The flower sellers even make garlands of buds of this flower that too look beautiful.

           Though most of the flowers used in Hindu worship have deep or light fragrances this flower has none.
Double Layered Tagar flowers

            There is another variety of the 'Tagar' flower which has double layers of petals. Its plant has dark green leaves but it flowers less in number than the single-layered variety. Unlike the single-layered, double-layered flower has a sweet fragrance. 

         In addition to Tagar, Taggar, and Pinwheel flowers, it is also known as Crape Jasmine, Chandni, and Doodhphool. This flower is native to India and very common here. Almost all temples have this plant on their campus.

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Sunday, July 5, 2015

Bhang - Cannabis Leaves

A Bhang Plant growing amid grasses

Bhang (भांग)- Cannabis Leaves  (क्लिक - हिन्दी में पढ़ें)

Bhang (भांग,भंग) is a mixture of cannabis leaves and flowers. It is an integral part of North Indian culture from ancient times. It is an intoxicant but not like alcohol. It loosens control over one's sober behavior and talks repeatedly over the same topic. It increases one's happiness and he laughs over even small facts. In Sanskrit or Hindi, it is called "Ullasaka" (उल्लासक) - the thing which increases happiness level. That is why it is consumed directly or in Thandai and pakoras on the occasion of the festival of Holi which is a festival of happiness. Direct consumption of Bhang is by making laddoo-like balls of the paste of leaves and flowers with the help of pastels and mortar. This thing has even been mentioned in "Bollywood" movies and songs. Nobody can forget the song and dance sequence of the film "Don" that says - "Bhung ka rung Jama ho Chaka Chak aur lo paan Chabaye". 

Bhang and Dhatura plants near "Pahadi Temple", Ranchi
Dhatura has Wider leaves while Bhang has thinner ones

Long-duration uses of Bhang have other uses too. Sadhus and Sufis take it to boost meditation. It helps them to achieve the transcendental state. It is a reason that Bhang is offered to God Shiva during his worship. As we know Shiva loves to remain in the transcendental state called "Samadhi" (समाधि). When in this state nobody dares to distract him may he be the king of gods. During worship, Bhang may be offered as "Gola"(Like a Laddoo) or like crushed dried leaves. Generally, the latter way of offering is prevalent as it is easy to use and store. It can be bought from any "Puja Shop" (Shop that sells items used in worship) in the crushed form. It must be remembered that whenever Bhang is offered to Shiva and placed on the Shivalinga, the next thing to do is pour water (जल) over it. This combination and order of Bhang and water offerings must be maintained. 

Small Bhang Plant in a park

         Bhang has some medicinal properties too as people in rural areas may tell you but not confirmed. They emphasize that if taken in proper quantity it helps in digestion and increases appetite, cures dysentery, sunstroke, and fever. But it is not advisable to believe or act on these things. After all, it is an intoxicant and except in limited quantities and on occasions, it should not be consumed. As I have stated earlier in my blogs that Shiva's acceptance of offerings like these intoxicants has a meaning. He says to his followers that you surrender such things to me and never consume them. We all know that things put over Shivalinga are not taken back as "prasad" for consumption. 

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Saturday, July 4, 2015

Tagetes –Genda flower-गेंदा के फूल !

Tagetes –Genda flowers-गेंदा के फूल !

Genda Flowers -गेंदा के फूल {हिंदी में यहाँ पढ़ें}

            This is a very common worship flower found in different sizes and colors in different shades of yellow, saffron and maroon. Since yellow color is favorite of Vishnu and his avatars like Ram and Krishna, this flower is generously used in his worship. In addition to its beautiful looks this flower has a light and pleasant smell. Putting a garland in the neck of God during worship is also a part of "Sringaar" (Make up) of God. The garland of "Genda flowers" is most commonly used for this purpose. 

          It is also a favorite flower of Goddess Lakshmi due to its golden color. During festival of Deepawali  (Lakshmi Puja) the demand of "Genda flowers" increases manifolds. In addition to offering "Genda flowers" to Goddess it is also used in decoration of temples and houses in Deepawali festival. For decoration on different occasions, specially on weddings it is used with other flowers.

Genda and Lotus flower
Sold for Laxmi Puja
          During worship it can be offered to any god. The saffron color of ''Genda flowers" has a special significance for the Hindus. Saffron color is related to "Moksha" that is the desire of most of the religious Hindus.That is why we see "Saadhus" (Hermits) in saffron clothes. This combined with its easy cultivation makes it a favorite flower for Hindus. 

         "Genda flowers" have become a part of Indian culture. It is not only used for worship and decoration on festivals & religious events but also in the last rites after death. The flowers and its garlands are placed on the dead body.

           To fulfill the huge demand in the Indian markets this flower is cultivated on a large scale in India. Its cultivation has made the economic condition of many farmers better.
Tagetes –Genda flowers in flower beds
at "Fun Castle,Ranchi गेंदा के फूल !
       The tagetes flower is the beauty of a garden. The varieties having lesser height and multi-petaled ball like looks are planted in the garden. Such plants grow well during winter. Planted either in flower beds or in pots the give a fascinating look. I have seen a lover of "Genda flower" in Ranchi who decorates his double storied house with potted "Genda flowers"  along railings of terrace, roof and outer open stairs in winter. Pots are placed on the outer side of the railings in circular steel holders. Then that house looks amazing and awesome and keeps a permanent space in ones memory.
Tagetes is sometimes called by marigold which is a similar plant of European origin. In Sanskrit its name is "Sthulpushpa (स्थूलपत्र)".Some varieties of "Genda" has single layer of petals only but they are not preferred because their looks are not so lovely as the multi layered ones. Many years ago I had seen a multi-layered "Genda" flower which petals were conical in shape.
Tagetes Marigold –Genda flowers
The bright yellow flowers are fascinating!
   "Genda_flowers" have industrial and medicinal uses too. "Genda" flower oil is used in making perfumes and dried flower powder in poultry farming. Antiseptic property of "Genda" leaves is well known. It is also used in stomach and throat related problems. In eczema it is directly applied to the skin.
The herb of "Genda flower" is easily grown from dried full grown flower. The dried flower when opened shows pack of long thin seeds. These are sown in flower beds. After watering for few days numbers of small plants grow. After 4 - 5 centimeters height these are transferred and planted to desired places. It does not require much care. In fact if more fertilizer and watering given, it grows more but flowers less. This state in local Hindi language is called "palaa jana" (पला जाना). The smaller size variety flowers more in number than the bigger ones. It can also be grown in balconies in apartments for show or "Puja flower" where limited open space is available.
   

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