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

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Dūrvā grass leaves (दूर्वा दल) !

    Dūrvā grass leaves (दूर्वा दल) !
Durva grass, Doob grass, Dubo (Cynodon Dactylon)
Ready for offering in worship


            The tips of Dūrvā grass with three leaves (टुस्सा - Tussa in Hindi) are used in Hindu worship rituals. It is offered to God Ganesha, God Shiva and his vehicle and gatekeeper Nandi, the bull. Generally a pinch of turmeric powder is sprinkled over them before the offering.

              Dūrvā grass is commonly known as "Doob"(दूब) grass in Hindi, "Dubo" in Bengali and Bermuda grass in English. Dūrvā is its name in Sanskrit. Its scientific name is "Cynodon dactylon". It can be easily found around the houses, roadsides and in the fields. If taken care of, it performs as very good lawn grass.  

              In Hindu culture this grass is thought to be very auspicious. On the occasion of wedding "Doob"(दूब) grass along-with Akshat (अक्षत) is sprinkled over the couple by the priest and elderly 

relatives as auspicious blessings. Sometimes holy waters like Ganga Jal is needed to be sprinkled in all corners of every room in a house to bring the auspiciousness again. This is done with a bunch of "Doob"(दूब) grass. 

                  Lord Ganesha who is the first god to be worshiped when a Puja (worship) is commenced is also a god of auspiciousness and a god who removes hurdles (विघ्नहर्ता) in any good work when worshiped. When offered the "Doob"(दूब) grass, He is pleased and believed to remove the hurdles in good works of a person. There is a story behind the offering of "Doob"(दूब) grass to Lord Ganesha. It is said that a demon named Analasur (Anal means fire, so Analasur means an Asur who emits fire), who came into existence due to some weak moments of Yamaraj seeing an "Apsara", had became a trouble for gods. So the gods requested Lord Ganesha to kill Analasur which he accepted. In the fight Ganesha swallowed Analasur but he got restless due to the heat produced in his stomach. No god could suppress his pain. He could get relief only when some "Rishis" put some "Doob"(दूब) grass over his head. From that time Ganesha is pleased whenever "Doob"(दूब) grass is put over his head during his worship. It is customary to sprinkle turmeric powder over "Doob"(दूब) grass before offering, because yellow color is favorite of Ganesha and turmeric is one of the auspicious items in Hindu customs.   

 
Thin leaved Durva grass,
Doob grass,Dubo
(Cynodon Dactylon)
               "Doob"(दूब) grass is also offered to God Shiva. It is said that God Shiva is pleased when "Doob"(दूब) grass is placed over Shivalinga during worship and he makes the devotee wealthy. So people with a desire to have wealth offer him "Doob". In the Hindu month of Shravan (That is also a favorite month of Shiva) the "Doob"(दूब) grass is found abundantly due to rainy season. One can see the favorite things of Shiva in my blog at this link --- What Lord Shiva likes ! 

                 Shiva's gatekeeper Nandi is a bull and he is included in Shiva's family (called Shiva - parivaar). Nandi worship is also done during Shiva-worship because if Nandi  is pleased then the devotee can send his wishes direct to the heart of Shiva through saying it in the ears of Nandi. It is a boon given to Nandi by Shiva. Since "Doob"(दूब) grass is a natural food of cows and bulls, so it is also offered to Nandi to please him. 

                  The "Doob"(दूब) grass to be offered to gods should be picked from clean places and carried to the worship place in right hand only. The mantra to offer "Doob"(दुर्वाम ) is as follows,

दुर्वांकुरान्  सुहारितानमृतान् मंगलप्रदान्। 

आनीतांस्त्व  पूजार्थं  गृहाण  गणनायक।।  

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Monday, August 3, 2015

Plumeria, Frangipani - चम्पा

Its tree is also called "Temple Tree"
Plumeria, Frangipani - चम्पा


                 This is a well known flower of worship in India and South-East Asia. Often planted near Aashrams  and temples, hence also called "Temple tree". Known commonly as "Champa - चम्पा" in Hindi or "Kath Champa" in Bengali, it is called Plumeria and Frangipani in English.

              The tree of this fragrant and beautiful flower is also planted in flower gardens, parks and street sides. Though it grows in a tree but a closer look will tell that this plant is related to "Nerium Oleander". The structure of flowers and leaves are similar. On plucking the leaves both ooz out white milk like substance. The difference is in size of the plant and leaves. While plant of  "Nerium Oleander" is a shrub, the Plumeria or frangipani is a tree. The leaves of   "Nerium Oleander" are less wider than Plumeria . 

 
Leaves and flowers of
Plumeria, Frangipani - चम्पा
           The whole dark green canopy of tree dotted with flowers look attractive. Every day flowers fall from the tree and place beneath the tree full of scattered flowers look awesome. The lovely fragrance remains there for many days even if they dry out. The cream colored flower with yellow area in the middle is loved by ladies living in forest areas. They put them around the neck as a garland or make their hairs up with flowers (In veni). It is the national flower of Laos. It is found in other colors too, like pink and white.

             The "Champa - चम्पा"' flowers are used in worship of Vishnu and his avatars and goddesses like Saraswati, Laksmi and Durga. In different societies it is used in different ways. In Bengali culture due to its white color it is used as a mourning flower and put on the dead body or near the photo of dead person. In some rural areas people believe that ghosts live on "Champa - चम्पा"' trees. Not only in Bengal but in some other European countries people relate its fragrance to vampires and plant it near the graves in cemeteries. 
A fully grown up "Plumeria, Frangipani - चम्पा" tree

           On the other hand this flower is used for decoration on the occasion of weddings or parties in Maharashtra and as "Varmala वरमाला" in South India. In some folklore it is not offered to Shiva due a curse by brahmin, but as I have stated in my previous blogs that "Aadishankarachrya" in the "Shiva_Manas_Puja (शिव मानस पूजा)" offers champaka flower to Shiva. So it may be offered to Shiva too. 

               The plant can be propagated through cutting. About eight inch long finger thick stems without leaves are inserted in the well drained soil. It requires moisture but not water logging. It is also not suitable for frosty climate because is can not bear very cold weather. The water requirement is proportional to available sunshine. 

                   Its fragrance is used as perfumes and incense sticks. The lovely fragrance of this incense stick makes the environment divine.

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Here is a view of above tree in the season of Spring. It is covered with beautiful flowers and the look is eye-catching. In this picture below there is also a smaller tree in the foreground that too is at full bloom:-
Flowering Champa Trees
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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


                                           (हिंदी लिंक)
































  

 

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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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Flowers of worship and related items


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