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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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Links to blog posts on 
Flowers of worship and related items


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