STUDY ON WORSHIPPING PLANTS AND PLANTS PARTS ... 5 ISSUE 1 (JAN) 2019...Panchmukhi hanumanji is the...
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1H.R.Patel , 2Mitul Chaudhari , 2Y.M.Patel and 3R.S Patel
Shree Jagdishprasad jhabarmal Tibdewala university. Rajasthan
Biology Department, M.N College, Visnagar., Gujarat. Biology Department , K.K.Shah Jarodwala Maninagar
Science College. Ahmedabad , Gujarat. E-mail: [email protected]
Biodiversity is an important gift of nature that provides all basic requirements for human
existence. But due to modern development of human races nature is under great threat. It has
been observed that large numbers of plants are being used for the worshiping of gods and
goddesses by different indigenous communities, which serve as a useful tool for
conservation of plants.Our ancestors lived and spent their life in nature. They had a very
strong belief on the basis of their knowledge about the valuable qualities of plants (Bajpai et
al. 2016). Tree worshipping was also present during the Vedic period (Bhatla et al. 1984).
Folklore, culture, food and medicinal practices are deeply linked and influenced by plants
(Badoni & Badoni 2001).
STUDY ON WORSHIPPING PLANTS AND PLANTS PARTS IN DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS PLACES OF
KHERALU CITY, NORTH GUJARAT, INDIA
INTRODUCTION
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The present work analyzed different plant species and their parts that are used in worshiping
of gods and goddesses in Hindu tradition in temples of surrounding area of kheralu city.
Kheralu city is located in north side of Gujarat at the Latitude of 23.8853° N, and Longitude
of 72.6190° E. Kheralu city has the Population close to 20,000 People. Kheralu city is the
part of mehsana district. People of kheralu city have Different types of occupation such as
agriculture, worker, labour, govt. officers and personal businesses.
Kheralu is a city having more than 20 caste of Hindu religion with the majority of Chaudhary
community. Several other communities also existed at the city such as Prajapati, Brahmin,
Sindhi, Barot, Thakor, etc. People of kheralu city celebrate several types of festivals like
Holi, Navratri, Dashera, Diwali, Janmashtami, etc. All these people believes in different
gods such as lord mahadeva, lord Krishna, lord ganesha, lord hanuman, Goga maharaj and
goddesses such as Ambe maa, Marunda maa, Bahuchar maa, etc.
INFORMATION ABOUT SOME RELIGIOUS PLACES OF KHERALU
1. Vrundavan Mahadev Temple:
Vrundavan Mahadev is the temple of lord Shiva. It is located at the north side of kheralu
city. The ‘Vrunda’ is the Sanskrit word which means Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (Tulsi).
Therefore, meaning of this temple’s name is “The Forest of Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (Tulsi)”.
Special day of lord shiva is Monday. So best time to visit the temple is Monday, shivratri,
diwali and whole shravan month.
This temple is also known for the great devotee ‘The Bhakthraj maharaj’ who was passed
away two years ago. She was great devotee of lord Krishna and used to live at this temple
for many years. This Temple is very historical and great ancient history is related with it.
There are number of small temples of different lords like shri ganesha, shri hanuman, shri
STUDY AREA
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Krishna, shri kal bhairava, etc. There are two or three small temples of “Sati” which is
connected with ancient system “The sati pratha”. It was funeral custom of widow in ancient
times. The Vrundavan Mahadev temple contains so many worshipping plants like Aegle
marmelos, Ocimum sanctum, Ficus religiosa L., etc.
2. Shri Marunda mataji Temple:
Shri marunda mata is the temple of maharudrani, mahananda, marunda mataji. It is located
at the south side of kheralu city. The people of kheralu city are worshipping this marunda
mataji as their “Padhar Devi”. It is believed that this temple is approximately 700 years old.
Kaushikbhai trivedi is the priest of this temple.
On the date of 19, 20 and 21st of February 2018 “The Punah Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav” of
this Marunda mata temple was celebrated by the Chaudhary community of kheralu city. On
this occasion ‘The Sahashra 51 Kundi yagya’ was organized. In yagya, normally several
types of plant woods and other plant parts were used for giving oblation. Plant parts, which
used as oblation is normally known as “Sanvidhas” in yagya practice. Information about that
plant parts have been described here.
3. Panchmukhi hanumanji Temple
Panchmukhi hanumanji is the temple of lord hanuman. It is located at the east side of kheralu
city. It is believed that hanumanji is the eleventh Rudra avtar (Incarnation) of lord shiva. It
is described in mythological literature that hanuman is the great devotee, adherent and bearer
of lord Rama.
Saturday is the special day of lord hanuman. Therefore, people are used to go at this temple
especially on Saturday and some auspicious festivals such as “Hanuman jayanti”.
The present study is based on intensive field surveys. The present information regarding
worshipping plant was collected through consulting with the local people, priests of the
temples to know the local name, worshipping value and ancient history of mentioned plants.
Importance of the plants and use of plant parts in traditional practices, beliefs and benefits
were collected through semi structured personal interview with the specialized persons like
priests, who performed ritual ceremonies and some knowledgeable old devotee person who
are involved in different religious practices.
MATERIALS AND METHOD
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Study of different traditional Hindu socio-religious occasion and importance of plants
species used in different pujas, socio religious ceremony or festivals were recorded.
Identification of the collected worshipping plant specimens were done under the guidance
of Dr. Y.M. Patel sir. Furthermore, all the plants were identified with their key vegetative
and reproductive features using the regional floras viz. Flora of Gujarat State (Shah, 1978)
and another published literatures. Classification of the all plants created with the help of
Bentham & Hooker system of classification.
1.Botanical Name: Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thw. , Common Name: Asopalav, Mast-
Tree, False Ashok ,Plant Family: Annonaceae, Occurrence: Panchmukhi hanuman temple,
Vrundavan Mahadev temple, etc. , Useful Part in Worshipping: Leaf , Importance in
worshipping: Normally leaves are used for decorative purpose to prepare “toran” in most
of all religious function such as yajna or yagya practice, satyanarayan lord’s katha, etc. In
Hinduism the concept of "Aasan" or seat is there. So leaf of Polyalthia longifolia is used as
a seat of Areca catechu (supari). Supari is symbol in such cases for deity. You may also find
statues of deities are also kept or put on leaf in some Yajnas or rituals.
2.Botanical Name: Brassica campestris L. , Common Name: Sarsav, Plant Family:
Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) , Occurrence: Normally grown by farmers in their farms. , Useful
Part in Worshipping: Seed
Importance in worshipping: Normally Oil of the seed is offered to lord hanuman. It is
believed that oil of the seed is offered on shivling for eradication of enemies. It is also offered
as oblation in yajna or yagya practice.
3.Botanical Name: Gossypium herbaceum L., Common Name: Cotton Plant, Kapas , Plant
Family: Malvaceae,Occurrence: Sowing by many farmers as a crop., Useful Part in
Worshipping: Cotton from fruit , Importance in worshipping: Normally Cotton is used in
all worshipping as a raw material for enlighten the lamp in front of all gods and goddesses.
Therefore it is the basic and primary requirement for all worshipping. It is believed that
lighting up the lamp in front of god at home or temple removes all negative energies from
surrounding area. Scientifically, lighting the lamp is helpful in eradicate small insects from
surrounding area. Therefore, it works as an air-purifier.
4.Botanical Name: Elaeocarpus ganitrus L., Common Name: Rosary nut, Rudraksha ,
Plant Family: Tiliaceae , Occurrence: In area of gangetic plain, Himalayas. , Useful Part
in Worshipping: seed , Importance in worshipping: Rudraksh is the Sanskrit word which
means “Tear drop of Rudra or shiva”. (Stutley, M. 1985) It’s seed mainly used in
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worshipping of lord shiva. Numbers of rudraksh seeds are aggregated in the form of organic
jewellery or “mala” and then weared by the devotees of lord shiva. It is believed that wearing
rudraksh seed give the divine grace to devotees.
5.Botanical Name: Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa, Common Name: Bili, Stone apple, Wood
apple, Plant Family: Rutaceae , Occurrence: Vrundavan Mahadev temple, Useful Part in
Worshipping: Leaf, fruit, Importance in worshipping: Normally Aegle marmelos Plant
leaf has been used in worshipping of Lord Shiva. Mythological literature believes that Aegle
marmelos plant is the form of lord Shiva. People believe that there is Lord Bhrahma present
at the root, Lord Vishnu at the middle of stem and Lord Shiva at the top of this tree. Fruit of
this plant is believed as the Blessing of goddess Lakshmi because it has been written in
mythological literature that fruiting is without flowering in this plant.
6.Botanical Name: Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. , Common Name: Khakhro, Palash,
Flame of the Forest , Plant Family: Papilionaceae , Occurrence: At daljibhai’s farm ,
Useful Part in Worshipping: wood , Importance in worshipping:
Plant wood is used in yajna or yagya practice to giving oblation to “Chandra grah” (Moon).
7.Botanical Name: Acacia chundra (Roxb. ex Rottl.) Willd , Common Name: khair
Plant Family: Mimosaceae ,Occurrence: At daljibhai’s farm. , Useful Part in
Worshipping: wood , Importance in worshipping: Plant wood is used in yajna or yagya
practice to giving oblation to “Mangal grah” (Mars planet). \
8.Botanical Name: Prosopis cineraria (L) Druce , Common Name: Khijado , Plant
Family: Mimosaceae , Plant Form: Tree , Occurrence: At Daljibhai’s farm, Mukeshbhai’s
farm, etc., Useful Part in Worshipping: wood , Importance in worshipping: Plant wood
is used in yajna or yagya practice to giving oblation to “Shani grah” (Saturn planet).
9.Botanical Name: Calotropis procera (Willd.) Dry and.Ex W. Ait., Plant Family:
Asclepiadaceae , Occurrence: Vrundavan Mahadev temple and several other places of
kheralu., Useful Part in Worshipping: Flower and wood , Importance in worshipping:
plant is used in yajna or yagya practice to giving oblation to “Surya grah (Sun planet or Lord
surya)”.
Flower of this plant is generally offered to lord hanuman.
10.Botanical Name: Datura metel L. , Common Name: Horn of Plenty, Downy Thorn
Apple, Plant Family: Solanaceae , Occurrence: Vrindavan Mahadev temple,
Harihareshvar Mahadev temple., Useful Part in Worshipping: Leaves , Importance in
worshipping: It’s flower used in worshipping of lord shiva. Flower directly offered on
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shivling for worshipping of lord shiva. Mythological speech tells that lord shiva accept all
those things which was not accepted by any other gods. Therefore lord shiva loves datura
plant.
11.Botanical Name: Sesamum indicum L. , Common Name: Til, Tal, Sesame , Plant
Family: Pedaliaceae
, Occurrence: Normally grown by farmers as a crop in their farms., Useful Part in
Worshipping: Seed , Importance in worshipping: seed is given as an oblation along with
all woods (sanvidha) in yajna or yagya practice. It is also believed that seeds offered on
shivling to get the blessings of lord shiva. Generally Oil of the seed is also offered to lord
hanuman.
12.Botanical Name: Gmelina arborea Roxb ,Common Name: Sevan, Shivan , Plant
Family: Verbenaceae , Occurrence: At Mukeshbhai’s Farm and several other places.,
Useful Part in Worshipping: Whole plantImportance in worshipping: Generally the tree
is known as “Shriparni”. This tree is believed as a dwelling place of goddess Lakshmi.
13.Botanical Name: Ocimum tenuiflorum L. , Common Name: Tulsi, Holy Basil,
Vishnupriya ,Plant Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) , Occurrence: Vrundavan Mahadev
temple, panchmukhi hanuman temple, etc. , Useful Part in Worshipping: Whole plant,
Importance in worshipping: Most of hindu religious peoples have tulsi plants growing in
front of or nearer to their home. Because it is believed that Tulsi was great worshipper of
god Vishnu in ancient times. It is believed that food offered to lord Vishnu as a “Naivedh”
is incomplete without putting the leaves of Ocimum tenuiflorum. Furthermore, it is also
connected with auspicious ceremonies such as “Tulsi vivah”.
14.Botanical Name: Achyranthes aspera L. ,Common Name: Anghedi, Prickly Chaff
Flower
Plant Family: Amaranthaceae ,Occurrence: scattered at several farms., Useful Part in
Worshipping: wood , Importance in worshipping: Plant wood is used in yajna or yagya
practice to giving oblation to “Budh grah” (Mercury planet).
15.Botanical Name: Ficus religiosa L.,Common Name: Pipado, Bodhi Tree, Holy Tree,
Scared Fig
Plant Family: Moraceae , Occurrence: Vrindavan Mahadev temple, Harihareshvar
Mahadev temple and several other places in kheralu. ,Useful Part in Worshipping: Whole
plant , Importance in worshipping: Plant wood is used in yajna or yagya practice to giving
oblation to “Guru grah” (Jupiter planet). Whole plant is also worshipped as a holy tree.
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16.Botanical Name: Ficus benghalensis L. , Common Name: Vad , Plant Family:
Moraceae , Occurrence: In front of G.e.b. board , Useful Part in Worshipping: Whole
plant , Importance in worshipping: On the occasion of “vat savitri vrat”, married women
doing fast and praying to the banyan tree.
17.Botanical Name: Ficus racemosa L. , Common Name: Cluster Fig, Goolar, Umardo ,
Plant Family: Moraceae , Occurrence: At Rameshkaka’s farm. , Useful Part in
Worshipping: Wood , Importance in worshipping: Plant wood is used in yajna or yagya
practice to giving oblation to “Shukra grah (Venus planet)”.
18.Botanical Name: Santalum album L. , Common Name: Chandan, Sukhad, Shvet-
Chandan , Plant Family: Santalaceae Occurrence: At daljibhai’s farm, Ranchoddada’s
farm, etc. Useful Part in Worshipping: Wood , Importance in worshipping: it is used by
the devotees of all gods for doing tilak on their forehead. It is also believed that lord shiva
loves the tilak of Santalum album (chandan).
19.Botanical Name: Musa paradisiaca L. , Common Name: Ked, Keda, Banana , Plant
Family: Musaceae , Occurrence: In front of Durga hotel and some other places., Useful
Part in Worshipping: Leaves , Importance in worshipping: leaves are used for
constituting the “Mandap (porch)” in auspicious ceremonies such as yajna or yagya practice,
Lord Satyanarayan’s katha (narrative) and marriage functions in Hindu religion.
20.Botanical Name: Areca catechu L., Common Name: Areca palm, Areca nut palm,
Indian nut, Sopari (“Areca catechu” GRIN, ARS, USDA. Retrieved 2008-03-02) , Plant
Family: Arecaceae (Palmae) , Occurrence: coastal region like Karnataka, Kerala, Assam,
etc., Useful Part in Worshipping: Seed
Importance in worshipping: Supari is considered as very pure property of living being. In
any ritual, we need to call deities by chanting ritual verses, in such case it is called "Sthapana"
means establishment. But if we do not have statue of the deity, Areca catechu (Supari) is
used. Supari is the representation of the deity which we want to call but we do not have his
statue.
Supari is symbol in such cases for deity like Ganesh, Brahma, Yamadev, Varundev,
Indradev. Sometimes in "Grahashanti" it also represents planets like Mangal, Rahu, Ketu,
Surya, Guru, etc.
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21.Botanical Name: Cocos nucifera L. , Common Name: Nariyal, Coconut , Plant Family:
Arecaceae (Palmae) , Occurrence: Panchmukhi hanuman temple., Useful Part in
Worshipping: Fruit , Importance in worshipping: Fruit is generally known as “shriphal”
which means fruit with the blessings of goddess Lakshmi. Fruit is normally offered to all
gods after the fulfilment of vows. Fruit is also offered as oblation in yajna or yagya practice.
22.Botanical Name: Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Common Name: Doub Grass, Bermuda
grass, Wire Grass, Couch Grass, Durva, Darbha Grass, Dharo , Plant Family: Poaceae
(Gramineae) , Occurrence: Scattered in several places., Useful Part in Worshipping:
Whole plant, Importance in worshipping: Whole plant is used in yajna or yagya practice
to giving oblation to “ketu grah”. Cynodon dactylon (Durva) is generally offered to lord
ganesha.
23.Botanical Name: Desmostachya bipinnata (L.) Stapf , Common Name: Darbh, Kusha,
Daabhado , Plant Family: Poaceae (Gramineae) , Occurrence: Near the Ajepal maharaj
temple.
Useful Part in Worshipping: whole plant, Importance in worshipping: Whole Plant is
used in yajna or yagya practice to giving oblation to “ketu grah”. It is believed that “ketu” is
shade of planet not a planet. Desmostachya bipinnata is also known as “Hair of mother
sita(wife of lord rama)”. It is mentioned in several hymns and local songs. It is also used in
funeral function of Hindu religion. It is believed that this plant remove the defilement from
holy places.
24.Botanical Name: Saccharum officinarum L. , Common Name: Sherdi, Ganna , Plant
Family: Poaceae
Occurrence: At Daljibhai’s farm , Useful Part in Worshipping: Whole plant ,
Importance in worshipping: Plant is used along with Musa paradisiaca L. For
constituting “mandap(porch)” in yajna or yagya practice.
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In Hindu tradition it has been believed that different gods and goddesses have some specific
character and they love different plant depending upon their colour, fragrant etc. which are
highlighted in present study.
A total number of 18 plant species with 16 genera and 15 families are reported under the
class Dicotyledons. Addition to this A total number of only 6 plant species with 6 genera
and 3 families are reported under the class monocotyledons. It is described in Chart no. 1.
Therefore, a total number of 24 plant species under 22 genera and 18 families were reported
from the present study. Among these, Cynodon dactylon, Aegle marmelos, Ocimum sanctum,
etc. are exclusively used in all worship. Different types of plant forms of worshipping plants
are recorded during study such as tree, herb, shrub and grasses. We recorded 15 plant species
of trees, 4 plant species of herb, 3 plant species of shrub and 3 plant species of grasses. That
is highlighted in chart no. 2. During the study, it is observed and recorded that different type
of plant parts such as flowers, leaves, fruits, seed or whole plant is used for different
worshipping and auspicious ceremonies. It is recorded that wood of 6 plant species, leaves
of 2 plant species, seeds of 4 plant species, flowers of 2 plant species, fruits of 2 plant species
and whole plants of 8 plant species are used for worshipping. That is highlighted in chart
no.3. 18 families listed here from which 24 plant species are recorded.
SHOWING RESULT OF FAMILIES AND SPECIES FAMILIES AND SPECIES
REPORTED IN STUDY
Family No. of species
occurrence
Annonaceae 1
Brassicaceae
(Cruciferae)
1
Malvaceae 1
Tiliaceae 1
Rutaceae 1
Papilionaceae 1
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
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Chart – 1: Chart based on Class of Plant species
Mimosaceae 2
Asclepiadaceae 1
Solanaceae 1
Pedaliaceae 1
Verbenaceae 1
Lamiaceae 1
Amaranthaceae 1
Moraceae 3
Santalaceae 1
Musaceae 1
Arecaceae
(Palmae)
2
Poaceae 3
Dicotyledons
75%
Monocotyledones
25%
0%
0%
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Chart -2: Chart based on forms of plants Chart -3: Chart based on plant part which
is used
The study on religious plants used in various Hindu traditional worshiping exhibits
the important role of plants in human life. The present study helps people to
understand importance of plants in worshiping different god and its scientific reason.
Such activities of conserving and using plants species in the name of worshiping and
socio-cultural ceremonies reveals a strong significance in today’s concern of
biodiversity conservation.
Study table no. 2 concludes that Mimosaceae, Moraceae, Arecaceae (Palmae) and
poaceae were dominant families and having 2, 3, 2 and 3 plant species respectively
for the purpose of worshipping.
Result of this study concludes that the relationship between worship and plants works
as a small biosphere reserves for species which is connected with this ancient
believes.
1. "Areca catechu". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural
Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved
2008-03-02.
14
34
3
Plant form
Tree Shrub Herb Grass
6
24
2 2
8
Wood Leaf Seed Fruit Flower Wholeplant
Chart-3
CONCLUSION
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Mythological Reference
1. Shivpuran
2. Shri Naimittik karmprakash
3. sAgnihotra nu gyan-vigyan.