Studies on the Use of Sacred Plants with Special Reference to Ganapathi Pooja

Hindu rituals have always involved sacred plants, which can be viewed as the representation of purity, devotion and connections between human life and nature. Of them, twenty-one plants linked with Ganapathi pooja hold the special place, each of which has a ritualistic meaning and therapeutic properties in the context of traditional medicine. This paper addresses the cultural, spiritual and ethnobotanical value of these plants by examining their place in religious worship practices in addition to their uses in Ayurveda and folk medicine. Aegle marmelos (Bilva), Ocimum sanctum (Tulasi), Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus), Curcuma longa (Turmeric) and Calotropis gigantea (Arka) are not only considered offering to God Ganesha but also used to treat various diseases including digestive problems and respiratory diseases. The paper presents the connection between these species and spiritual symbolism and health-practical benefits to humans by utilizing textual interpretation of religious texts and ethnomedicinal texts and scientific literature. The results indicate that, the ritual integration of such plants strengthens the ecological consciousness, good health practices, and maintenance of the indigenous knowledge systems within the community. Furthermore, their dual meaning as spiritual and medicinal can provide a fruitful contribution to the modern trends in the conservation of culture, integrative medicine, and biodiversity.