(Originally published on the author’s personal blog.)
India’s Vedic culture has essentially been a nature worshiping civilization that has always advocated a Dharmic way of life, which means living in tune with the cosmic laws, the natural phenomena and all living and non-living beings around us. This has manifested in myriad ways – from reverence towards the sun and rain to respect for the local sacred groves where the patron deity of the place is supposed to reside, and from paying obeisance to mountains and rivers to worshiping various plants and animals. There is scientific and / or spiritual significance to the beliefs and practices followed since time immemorial. Today, let’s take a pictorial tour of some sacred plants of India and the ecological services provided by them, through photos clicked during my many field outings.
Coconut tree is rightly called Kalpvruksh – the tree that provides all that one wishes for. No wonder it is respected and the fruit is offered to the almighty at the time of any auspicious occasion. The leaves and fruit serve various needs including food, housing and roofing, waterproof headgear and medicine.Sacred Fig (Peepal) is worshiped across the Indian subcontinent. Very often a brick parapet is built around it, which serves as a resting place for a weary passer-by. The huge canopy provides shelter to many birds and animals, while its fruit provide nutrition to them even in seasons when other fruit are not available. Some dryland species of plants such as Sacred Fig also take up carbon dioxide from the air even at night through a special process called CAM photosynthesis.Holy Basil (Tulsi) is perhaps the commonest plant in Indian houses. Even the smallest house in the most congested locality invariably has a Tulsi plant in a pot in the window or balcony. Well known for its medicinal properties as per Ayurved, including for the cause of building immunity, this plant is worshiped and nurtured with care. Larger traditional houses have a special pedestal in their premises called the Vrundavan for keeping the Tulsi pot, where people light a symbolic lamp everyday.Banyan is one of the most magnificent trees endemic to Indian subcontinent. Revered in the Vedic tradition, its massive canopy supported by the characteristic supporting roots together form a mini forest in itself, sheltering and feeding myriad animals and birds. With its huge size it plays a major role in carbon sequestration and is a delight for travelers during the summer. The name Banyan was derived from the Indian term Bania (merchant), since in the past small markets used to function under its shade.Hibiscus (Jaswandi) is a beautiful native flowering shrub that is commonly planted and taken care of in most backyards and housing premises in India. It has several medicinal properties as per Ayurved, including as nourishment for hair and skin, and is lovingly offered to Bhagwan Ganpati as a token of gratitude.Indian Lilac (Neem) is one of the most popular trees due to its uses in medicine and agriculture. This dry zone deciduous tree is revered across the subcontinent and is a favoured species for afforestation in several areas.Mangifera Indica, the scientific name of Mango, itself denotes its close relation to India. This species native to the subcontinent, is widely seen growing in the wild in the form of huge stately trees as well as in the plantations of hybrid varieties. It plays a vital role in the ecosystem by providing shelter and nutrition to various birds and animals with similar utility to humans. Mango leaves are used in worship as well as in decorative ribbons (Torans) and as leaf bouquets at the entrance of houses on auspicious occasions. Among the hybrid varieties, Alphonso (Hapus) from the Konkan region of Maharashtra is the most famous.Lotus and Lily (Kamal and Kumudini) are one of the most beautiful of all flowers and play a vital role in the freshwater ecosystem. Naturally, they are revered in the Vedic tradition and Lotus is the National Flower of India.Mangroves, the unique plants adapted to a mixture of saline and freshwater, act as a buffer between land and sea. They play a vital role in preventing coastal erosion and in protecting humans during tsunamis. This ecosystem is the breeding ground for several species of fish and crabs and are thus economically important. In coastal areas such as Konkan, mangroves are worshiped by the locals, realizing its immense importance.Cluster Fig (Audumbar) is another sacred plant, worshiped across India. Its presence is said to indicate the presence of good groundwater levels as per the traditional Indian wisdom. Its fruit provide nutrition to myriad forms of animals and birds.
The author works as Content Developer – Curriculum & PR, MIT Group. He can be contacted at atul.sathe@mitpune.edu.in
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