The flower was named as Naga Lingam.The
trees are grown extensively in Shiva temples in India. In Hindi it is
called Shiv Kamal and also known as "Kailaspati". It is called the
Nagalingam tree in Tamil. The flowers are called Shivalinga flowers in
Hindi; Nagalinga Pushpa in Kannada; Nagamalli flowers or Mallikarjuna
flowers in Telugu. Hindus revere it as a sacred tree because the petals
of the flower resemble the hood of the Naga, a sacred snake, protecting a
Shiva Lingam, the stigma.
It has a large oval
shape structure with short stamens at the base of the flower, these
short stamens give the appearance of a cluster of “Lingams,” a symbol
of Lord Shiva. A large snake head shaped structure covers the Lingams
below as if it is protecting the Lingams. Both snake and Lingam are
sacred symbols for Hindus; no wonder these flowers are sold at a
premier price at Hindu temples as offering to God.
Uses:
Fruits are edible and are occasionally eaten, but the smell of
the white flesh discourages most people from trying them. On the other
hand, the flowers have a wonderful smell and can be used to scent
perfumes and cosmetics. The hard shells of the fruit are sometimes used
as containers.
The Cannonball Tree possesses antibiotic, antifungal, antiseptic and
analgesic qualities. The trees are used to cure colds and stomach aches.
Juice made from the leaves is used to cure skin diseases, and shamans
of South America have even used tree parts for treating malaria. The
inside of the fruit can disinfect wounds and young leaves ease toothache.
Botanical Name : Couroupita guianensis
The tree is deciduous and large, 50-80 feet in its native lands. It is
said to have special significance in the Buddhist religion. Flowers
(followed by fruit), grow directly from the trunk. Fruits are soft and
very fleshyhe seeds are embedded in a six-segmented, fleshy pulp that
oxidizes bluish-green and emits an unpleasant aroma when exposed to the
air
Does anyone knows the purana story of this flower.......? If so pls share.......
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