![]() ![]() Shankhupushpam in two different colours - white and blue are used in temples. Even though its origins are unknown, it is probably native to Asia according to Hortus. Butterfly pea is a deep-rooted, tall slender, climbing legume with five leaflets and a deep blue flower. The Malayalam word Shankhupushpam means a conch shaped flower. Shankhupushpam or Aparajitha (Butterfly pea - Clitoria ternatea) Nandyarvattam is used for Saraswathy pooja. Two different forms - idampiri and valampiri are used in temples. The flowers of Nandyarvattam are white in colour. To know more about Chemparathy click here Light coloured flowers (white, rose, purple, yellow and orange) are used for the poojas of other deities. The red coloured Chemparathy flowers are usually used in Devi temples, especially in Bhadrakali temples. More than 10000 varieties of Chemparthy exists in the world. It is also called as the Jungle Geranium, Flame of the Woods, and Jungle Flame. Only Thechi flowers are used for Poomoodal in Kadampuzha Bhagavthy Temple. The Thechi undamala (thechi garland) of Guruvayoor Temple is famous. Red, white and yellow ixora flowers are commonly used in Hindu worship. The flowers are found in a wide range of colours. Techi flower is commonly used in all temples. To know more about Thamara click hereĬhethi, Thechi or Thetti (Ixora coccinea) Thamaramala (lotus garland) is the main offering in Koodalmanikya Swami Temple. In Hindu iconography, deities often are depicted with lotus flowers as their seats. Particularily Brahma and Lakshmi, the divinities of potence and wealth, have the lotus symbol associated with them. The growth of its pure beauty from the mud of its origin holds a benign spiritual promise. Its unfolding petals suggest the expansion of the soul. It is often used as an example of divine beauty, for example Sri Krishna is often described as the Lotus-Eyed One. From ancient times the lotus has been a divine symbol in Hindu tradition. Lotus is associated with the gods Vishnu, Brahma, and the goddesses Lakshmi and Sarasvati. Some of them are Padmam, Nalinam, Aravindam, Kamalam and Pankajam. They are commonly used for special poojas like Sahasrakalasam, Ashtabandhakalasam and Laksharchana. It is also used in curing diarrhea and dysentery. Koovalam fruit has astringent properties and regulate digestive functioning. Hence this tree is also called Sreephalam. ![]() Lakshmi Devi wears the fruit of Koovalm in her right hand. People eat it either raw or make a good jam. The fruits can be oval or spherical and has the size of a large orange. The tree is slow growing and reaches a maximum height of 8-9 meters. It grows in almost all climatic conditions in wilderness. ![]() Koovalam wood is used for making Yupam in Yagams like Somayagam and Athirathram. It is believed that Lord Shiva is present in this sacred tree. They are also known as golden apple, stone apple and such names in English. Koovalam (kuvalam) or vilwmam are Malayalam names, while Bel or bael in Hindi, Kuvalum in Tamil, and Kumbala in Kannada. It is related to citrus and has many names in India. It is planted in the premises of temples. Puranas like Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, Devi Bhagavatha Purana and Padma Purana explains the glory and worshipp protocols of this tree in detail. Koovalam leaves resembles like the three eyes of Lord Shiva, hence got the name Tripatra. It is used while offering prayers to Lord Shiva. The leaves of Koovalm are mainly used in Shiva temples. Koovalam - Vilwam, Shivadruma, Tripatra (Aegle marmelos) Puranas mentions that pooja without the use of Thulasi is incomplete and hence worthless. Variations in soil type and rainfall may also equate to a difference in the size and form of the plants as well as their medicinal strength and efficacy. Tulasi exhibits great variation across its range. Kattu (Vana) Tulsai (Ocimum gratissimum) the wild form, is not used for poojas. They are Rama Tulasi with stems and leaves of green, Krishna Tulasi with stems and sometimes also leaves of dark green, and Karppoora Tulasi with the smell of camphor. Three different types of Tulasi are used in temples. The month of Karthika (October-November) is famous for Tulasi pooja. In Kerala, a household is considered incomplete if it doesn't have a Tulasithara. Tulasi is worshipped as Tulasi Devi or Vrinda Devi. Tulasi is regarded as a goddess and a consort of Lord Vishnu. Puranas like Vishnu Purana, Bhagavatha Purana, Devi Bhagavatha Purana and Padma Purana explains the glory and worshipp protocols of Tulasi in detail. A number of passages in the Puranas and other scriptures (Vedas), point to the importance of Tulasi within religious worship. The name Tulasi means the incomparable one. Tulasi is the most used pooja flower in Kerala temples. Pooja flowers and Dasapushpams Tulasi (Holy Basil - Ocimum tenuiflorum) ![]()
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