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EKAVIMSHATI PATRA PUJA

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Ganesha chathurthi falls on the fourth of the first fortnight of the month Bhaadrapada. (August-September). Hindus worship Lord Ganapathy on this day so that they may get prosperity and success, without incurring any scandal. Over and above this religious belief, this festival has got an importance from the point of view of science. For Ganesha Puja one should procure the leaves and flowers of twenty-one different plants, trees and shrubs. This is called Ekavimshati Patra Puja.

All these leaves have medicinal value. Thus knowledge of the prophylactic and therapeutic properties of these leaves is implied in Ganesha Puja.

1.Sumukahaya Namah, Macheepatram poojayami.

Macheepatram (which is also called Soocheepatra) is a kind of sacrificial grass. It is called kusa or dharba. Its botanical name is Imperata Cylindrica. It has got the wonderful property of purifying the surroundings.

2.Ganaathipaaya namah, Brahati patram poojayami.

Brahati is a prickly nightshade plant. Its botanical name is Carissa Carandas. It is a boon to women in post-delivery period.

3.Uma putraaya namah, Vilva patram poojayami.

Vilva which is botanically named Aegel Marmelos, is the favourite of Lord Siva. It removes impurities and purifies water and all congested areas Garbhaalaya (inner portion of the temple). The juice of this leaf applied to the body just before taking bath removes the bad smell, if any on the skin.

4.Gajaananaaya Namah, Durvayugmam poojayami

Durva or bent grass is available in all meadows and plains. Botanically known as Cynodon Dacry It cures many skin diseases, best being the staple food of cattle.

5.Harasoonave namah, Duttura patram poojayami.

   Dutura Stramonium is a shrub juice whose leaves ( as well as the sap) removes the poisonous effect of scorpion sting, dog bite, rat bite, centipede bite and gives immediate relief to the suffering person.

6.Lambodaraaya namah, Badari patram poojayami.

   Badari or jujube is botanically called Zizyphus jujuba It is thorny tree with tiny leaves and small fruits.The leaves are good fodder for cows and make them yield more milk Songsters use these leaves for maintaining a clear melodious voice.

7.Guhaagrajaaya namah, Apaamaargapatram poojayami

   Apaamaarga is botanically known as Achyrantus Aspera. The juice of its leaves cures all poisonous bites and dagger wounds. It is used in the preparation of Zambuk, the well known ointment.

8.Gajakarnaaya namah, Tulasi patram poojayami

    Tulasi which is commonly known Sweet Basil bears the botanical name of Ocimum Sanctim. It purifies air and water and surroundings and protect our health.It is used in Shiva puja and Vishnu Puja. One who eats its leaves daily can conquer passion.

9.Ekadantaaya namah, Chootapatram poojayami.

Choota (Mango leaf) or AAm is botanically known as Azadaracta indica Its leaves are use as festoons to decorate the houses at the time of festivals and auspicious functions. The leaves cures some diseases of the throat. The sweetness in the cuckoo's tone is believed to be due to the eateing of the new-born mango leaves.

10.Vikataaya namah, Karaveera patram poojayami

   Karavera or Kanera is bitanically called Thevetia Nerifolium. The karaveeradi Thailam prepared with its leaves protects the hair from lice. Its leaves and nuts are poisonous.

11.Bhinnadantaaya namah, Vishnukraanta patram poojayami. Vishnukraanta is known as Evolvulus Alsinoides.It bears tiny blue blossoms. There is a reference to this herb in the Taitreya Upanishad. Its juice improves memorizing power.

12.Vatave namah, Daadimi patram poojayami.

     Daadimi ( Anaar) is commonly known as pomegranate and botanically known as Punica Granata Its leaves and nuts taken orally cure dysentery. It protects pregnant women from abortion.

13,Sarveswaraaya namah, Devadaaru patram poojayami.

    Devadaaru or cedar is botanically termed as Cedrus Deodara It has small round fragrant leaves. The smell of which prevents mosquitoes and dangerous insects coming into the house.

14. Phalachndraaaya namah, Maruvaka patram poojayami.

   Maruvaka or madana is known as Origanum Vulgara Its leaves retain their fragrance for days even after becoming dry. They can cure diseases of the heart.

15.Herambaaya namah, Sindhuvaara patram poojayami.

    Sindhuvaara or Vitex Nergunda is used in the preparation of many medicines including antipoisonous drugs. Its juice cleanses the eyes.

16.Shoorpakarnaaya namah, Jaajee patram poojayami.

    Jajee or Myristica Fragrams is used as a spice. It cures indigestion.

17.Suraagrajaya namah, Gandalee patram poojayami.

    Gandaalee is mentioned in Amarakosha. It is singular grass with white flowers. It is used as external application in skin diseases.

18.Ibhavaktraaya namah, Shamee patram poojayami.

     Shamee or Prosopis Spicigera was used profusely by the alchemists in the olden days. The juice of its leaves has the miraculous property of removing the hair.

19.Vinaayakaya namah, Aswatthapatram poojayami.

    The holy fig tree ( Aswattha) is known as Ficus Religioso.Its leaves are good food for goats and elephants. Its bark is used in the preparation od many medicines.

20.Surasevitaaya namah, Arjuna patram poojayami.

    Arjuna or Morinda Tinctoria is used in medicines for heart diseases and wounds and septics. The famous tonic, Arjunarishta,
is prepared with these leaves

21.Kapilaaya namah, Arkapatram poojayami.

    Arka or Swallow wort is known as Calotrophis Procera. The leaves of this shrub yield white milky juice which is a reliable medicine for the poison of scorpion, centipede, rat etc., It cures wounds and ulcers if applied externally.

    All the above mentioned leaves will be available in Bhadrapaada ( August-September). That is the proper time, therefore, to, gather all these leaves and preserve them for medicines. Thus Ganesha puja is blindly followed custom On the other hand it is intended to give training to the young men and women in the identification collecting and preservation and usage of some valuable material medications Our ancestors had an unerring knowledge in botany and medicine which is a fruit if their ardent and arduous research which is handed over to us in the hope that we will not only preserve it and make good use of it but also improve it by further research.