Thursday 9 July 2015

All the gods have their favourite days, colours and also flowers. The rituals followed while worshipping a particular god are not complete without offering the god's favourite flower.


All the gods have their favourite days, colours and also flowers. The rituals followed while worshipping a particular god are not complete without offering the god's favourite flower. Lord Vishnu represents the cultural elements of our society. Shri Vishnu likes white and fragrant colours like mogra, jasmine etc. Apart from aromatic flowers, he loves basil leaves. Whereas Shiva loves all wild things and thus, pretty flowers are never offered to Him. He loves wild flowers like Dhatura and the poisonous flower Akondo which is a white flower with a bluish tinge that matched the bluish hue of Shiva's throat. Adishakti or the essence of all female power in the Universe is known as Kali in her most destructive form. She is a blood thirsty goddess who represents wearing a garland of Asura heads and blood dripping from her mouth. To match the colour of blood, she worshipped with blood-red hibiscus flowers. Generally, flowers with strong odour are offered to deities. Similarly, flowers without fragrance are also not used. Flowers that are not fully blossomed are not used. Mutilated and flowers eaten by insects are avoided. Flowers grown in a garden is considered apt for pooja. Flowers collected from forest are also used. Flowers used in pooja are classified into Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. The classification is based on their color, fragrance, shape and origin. Sattva and Rajas flowers are used in daily worship. Tamas flowers are avoided and some are used during festivals. Flowers like Arka, Nandyavartham, drona, white lotus, jasmine, coral tree flowers etc. are considered as Sattva flowers. The Rajas flowers include Red lotus, trumpet flowers, white thorn apple flowers etc. The Tamas flowers include ketaki, China rose, cotton plant, Kasa grass.
Blessings & Much Love ~ Hari Om Tat Sat Namah Shivaya!

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