Question

describe the history of plant worship in india

Answer 1

Indians have been worshipping trees since time immemorial and this is done as a matter of gratitude because we know that life cannot exists without trees. In Indian culture trees are believed to have conscious like humans so they can feel pain as well as happiness like us. So trees and their products are part of our rituals and ceremonies. With passage of time different trees like neem (Azadirachta indica), banyan (Ficus bengalensis), bel (Aegle marmelos) and many more have been added to the religious sanctity. Even various Gods and Goddess have been associated with different trees like bel, rudraksa (seeds of Elaeccarpus) are close to Lord Shiva, peepal to Lord Visnu, mango (Mangifera indica) to Lord Hanuman, asoka to Kamadeva, etc. Here is a brief introduction to some of the most sacred trees in India

Answer 2

Tree worship continues to be an element of modern Indian traditions. ... is believed to have died under this tree, after which the present Kalyug started.
Our ancient scriptures mention the Kalpavriksha and the Chaityavriksha as a deity, which indicates that worshipping trees is indeed an ancient Indian practice. The Ancient Aryans worshiped nature. Plants, trees and the other elements were always revered and several rituals were connected to them.


Sacred trees and plants in Hinduism

Tree worship continues to be an element of modern Indian traditions. There are many trees which are considered Sacred. Let's take a look at some of the sacred trees...



Ashoka Tree

Ashoka is one of the most legendary and sacred trees of India, and one of the most fascinating flowers in the Indian range of flower essences. It belongs to Caesalpaeniaceae family. It is a very handsome, small, erect evergreen tree, with deep green foliage and very fragrant, bright orange-yellow flowers, which later turn red. The flowering season is around April and May. It is found in central and eastern Himalayas as well as on the west coast of Bombay.



Ashoka Tree

Ashoka is a Sanskrit word meaning without grief or that which gives no grief. The tree has many other names in local languages as well. One such name means the tree of love blossoms. The Hindus regard it as sacred, being dedicated to Kama Deva, God of Love. The tree is a symbol of love. Its beautiful, delicately perfumed flowers are used in temple decoration. Lord Buddha was born under the Ashoka tree, so it is planted in Buddhist monasteries.



Peepal Tree

Peepal Tree also known as "Ashvattha" in Sanskrit is a very large tree and the first-known depicted tree in India. A seal discovered at Mohenjodaro, one of the cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation depicts the peepal being worshiped. According to the Brahma Purana and the Padma Purana, when the demons defeated the gods, Lord Vishnu hid himself in the Peepal Tree and that is why it is believed that Peepal Tree is a symbol of Vishnu.


Peepal Tree

There is another belief that the tree represents the Trimurti - the roots being Brahma, the trunk Vishnu and the leaves Shiva. Some says that Lord Krishna is believed to have died under this tree, after which the present Kalyug started. According to another belief, Goddess Lakshmi also inhabited the tree, especially on Saturday and hence it is considered auspicious to worship it.


Peepal Tree

Infact women worship the tree to bless them with a son tying red thread or red cloth around its trunk or on its branches. According to the Skanda Purana, to cut down a peepal tree is considered a sin. Even Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment under the peepal tree and the peepal is also sacred to Buddhist. Hence it is also called the Bodhi tree or "tree of enlightenment".


Banyan Tree

Like Peepal Tree, the Banyan Tree also symbolizes the Trimurti-Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma. The tree also symbolizes life and fertility in many Hindu cultures. That is the reason, banyan tree is worshipped by those who are childless and this tree should never be cut.


Banyan Tree

The tree can grow into a giant tree covering several hectares. The Great Banyan in the Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah, is considered to be the largest tree in the world. Lord Dakshinamurthy, who is worshiped as the "ultimate guru", is usually depicted beneath a banyan tree. He symbolizes Lord Shiva and is seen as the the destroyer of ignorance and embodiment of knowledge.



Bael Tree

In India, Bael tree is considered to be very sacred because it is associated with Lord Shiva. It is said that Lord Shiva is pleased by offerings of leaves from the Bael Tree, also known as bilva or bel tree. Thus, the Brahmanas worshipped Lord Shiva for a period of one fortnight by offering bel leaves and that way satisfied Lord Shiva greatly. The fruit, flowers and leaves of the tree are all sacred to Shiva.

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Bael Tree

The trifoliate leaf or tripatra of the bael tree is believed to symbolize the three functions of the Lord-the creation, preservation and destruction as well as his three eyes. The Beal tree is also sacred to the Jains. It is said the 23rd Tirthankara, Bhagwan Parasnathji attained "Nirvana" enlightenment under a Bael tree. Besides religious significance, almost all parts of the tree have medicinal qualities Bael is an ingredient in many Ayurvedic and Siddha formulations.

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