21 Flowers for Ganesh Puja

As seen earlier like these 21 flowers also are of great significance. Each of them possesses
a unique aroma or fragrance, which is capable of healing etc. Most of these flowers are also
used in Devi Puja, and other Pujas. Most of these may not be available commercially in
the market and should be collected from meadows, private gardens etc.

Note: Most of these flowers do not bear fruits (like hibiscus, kunda, jati,chrysanthemum) or
are collected from the ground after they have fallen on the ground (like vakula, parijata) or
have other modes of vegetative propagation (like Punna etc..) or they produce substantial
amount of flowers so that, collecting a little bit of them shouldn't harm or hurt the plants.
In general (unless for special occasions) flowers like mums or hibiscus are preferred as
we don't harm the plant or do not offer the pollinated flowers to Lord. Also, these flowers
should be ideally collected  early in the morning before 6.00 AM, when they are not in full
bloom to avoid, bees, etc.. Usually mango flowers aren't collected (unless for this Puja etc.)

Punnaga (Punnai) - Calophyllum inophyllum

This glower has the glory of being mentioned n Azwar Paasurams, Lalitha 1000 and also
used for this Pooja. Punna tree, looks like a laurel tree and it's seeds are used for oil
extraction.

Arka (Erukku) -  Calotropis procera

Note: As ween in the third picture, beautiful garlands could be made of these petals and the
stigma. Usually the white colored variety is used in pujas. Root, leaves, latex, and flowers
are all medicinal. It is used in treating snake poisons etc. They also possess purgative
qualities.

Mandaara - bauhinia variegata

Note:  There were white, yellow and red versions of this flower. Usually for Ganesha/ Shiva
white are preferred. and for Ambal it's yellow. Red ones, are not usually used for Pujas.

Vakula (Mahizham) - Mimusops elengi

Note:   This is a tree and produces small and sweet smelling flowers. Even the fruits of this
tree are tasty (Mexican Plum). Strings of garlands are made out of this flower and offered to
all Gods. (of the 12 azwars Sri Nammazhvar calls himself as Vakulabarana Nayaki in his
songs.)Since this is big tree, usually the flowers are withered and collected from
the ground.Fruits,flowers, bark and leaves are used in Ayurvedic preparations.

Amrunaalam (Vetiver)
Note:  The roots of this grass are fragrant and dark in color. They are used in garlands etc..
and also added to fire as incense + water as a flavoring agent. This is also used to decorate
the hair of Gods/Godesses.

Patalee (Padiri) -Stereospermum tetragonum 

Note:  The root of this tree is one of the components of Dasha Moola ristam , an Ayurvedic
medicinal preparation for good health. This tree or flowers are being referred in most of the
Vedic and Puranic scriptures.

Drona (Thumbai) - Leucas aspera

Note:  These beautiful flowers are also very important in Shiva Pooja. They also
attract butterflies , while in full bloom after the monsoon seasons. They can be easily
propagated using seeds. They are found abundantly in open lands after the rains. The
leaves of this plant are supposed to have medicinal qualities and can cure cold etc.. The
entire plant can be extracted as a juice and consumed for cold, cough, fever etc.. No need
for any harmful pills.

Durthaara(Umathai) - Datura discolor

Senpakam - Champaka - Michelia champaca

This could grow to be a big tree and they climb on the tree to collect the flowers. Oils,
extracts are made from these flowers. Buds of this flower is(unblossomed) are used in
making facial and body treatment powders.

Rasasa (Maa) - Azadaracta indica 

Note: Mango flowers aren't usually collected. They flower in the Spring/ summer seasons
April-May. So, only certain species of Mangoes produce flowers during this Aug-Sep.
season. The dried / withered flowers are consumed as an ailment for diabetes etc.

Ketaki (Thaazhai) - Pandanus fascicularis

Note: These plants belong to the Pandanus family and they grow on the river banks etc.. ,
where there is more water. They can be found all over Southern India, East India etc.. They
bear a beautiful fragrance. The extract from this flower is used in flavoring
food items (Kewda). And these flowers are offered to Ambal, Vishnu etc.. But these
flowers aren't offered to Shiva, due to a mythological belief that they lied .

Madhavi (Kurukkathi) - Hiptage benghalensis 

Note:  Inspite of  various references about this flower in Srimad Bhagavatham and other
scriptures, the leaves, bark and flowers of this flower seem to possess medicinal qualities in
curing asthma, ulcer etc. This flower has a strong fruity aroma.

Shamyaaka (Mayil Konrai)  Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Note:  These flowers are found in the thorny, leguminous trees in abundance. The un-ripe
pods of this tree contain, seeds, which are liked by kids a lot. Usually it's an easily tree
grown in the tropical climates.

Kalhaara (Sengazhuneer) - Nymphaea nouchali

Note:   Same family like water lotus. This flower is very famous for all Pujas (Devi,Vishnu,
Ganesha etc..)  Rhizomes, seeds and flowers are all use din treatment of diarrohea,dysentry
etc.

Soughandika (Javandhi) -Chrysanthemum morifolium

Note:  This is easily grown perennial plant, which is a runner and can be propagated very
easily. They have a great fragrance + used in floral tea etc.. Although different colors are
available, yellow ones are more famous.

Karaveera (Arali) - Nerium Oleander

Note: Fragrant flowers, and poisonous seeds and plant parts.

Kundha (Mullai) - Jasminum auriculatum

Note: These are called as Nitya Mullai. They could be easily grown in tropical climates and
are supposed to be blooming all year. They are grown on trellises and make a good flower
for nitya Pujas. Since they are only propagated vegetatively, these flowers can be collected
(as they may not bear fruits).

Paarijaatha (Pavazhamalli) -Nyctanthes arbor-tristis 

Note: These are small trees, which produce a large amount of flowers. They can be easily
propagated through seeds or cuttings. These flowers are also available all round the year.
Usually, small nets or plastic sheets are spread under this tree and it sheds it's flowers early
in the morning. The stalk of this flower is coral red, while the petals resemble a jasmine.
They could be made into beautiful strands with a needle and string. The flowers have a
unique fragrance. The leaves of this tree can be dry roasted and made into a tea and
consumed as a remedy for cold, fever etc..

Jathi (jathi malli) - Jasminum polyanthum 

Dhadimi(Mathulai) - Punica granatum

Note: leaves, fruits, seeds etc.. are all great medicines for dysentery. Flowers are really
beautiful.

Kadamba - Neolamarckia cadamba

Note:  Flowers are beautifil and fragrant. Leaves or bark of this tree are used in medicinal
treatments of ulcer,cough,fever etc..

Japaa (Sembaruthi) or Hibiscus Rosa Sinesis

Note:  These flowers are also available all round the year. These flowers are special to Devi
and Sri Ganesha. These are called as shoe flowers(these flowers can be used to polish
shoes). They are very good for heart and can be dried, powdered and consumed. The
leaves of this plant are very slimy and could be ground to a paste to wash the hair like a
shampoo.

Davana (Marikozhundhu) - Artemisia Pallens

Note:   Actually these are leaves and not flowers. But they are like flowers as the entire plant
has an aroma. The plant stays fragrant even after several months after harvest. This aroma
is supposed to prevent insects and cockroaches and are used with the dresses in cup-
boards to prevent insects.