BELIEFS BEHIND DHASHAPUSHPAM

Dasapushpam denotes Ten Sacred Flowers of Kerala (from Sanskrit Dasa = Ten and Pushpam = Flower). These ten herbs are traditionally significant to Keralites, the people of Kerala. These herbs are found almost everywhere in Kerala, especially in the western ghats region.

The Ten Plants 

1)Karuga(God:Lord Surya)

Family-Poaceae
Sanskrit-Niladura,Durva

Scientific Name-Cynodon Dactylon

Wearing this plant is good for eliminating all diseases,for long married life for longevity,for eliminating  and pregnant ladies wear this for getting good and healthy offsprings.

2)Vishnukranthi(God:Lord Vishnu)

Family-Convolvulaceae 

Sanskrit-Neelapushpi

Scientific Name:Convolvulaceae

Wearing this for the blessings of lord Vishnu and all his "Avathaars"(incarnation)and for getting all the prosperity in life.

3)Thiruthali(God:Mahalakshmi)

Family-Convolvulaceae 

Sanskrit-Laksmana

Scientific Name-Ipomea Sepiaria

Wearing this for getting blessings from Godess Lashmi(Sree Bhagavathy).This will improve wealth and prosperity of the house.Heart shaped leaves is believed to bring purity of heart.

4)Poovankurunnila(God:Lord Brahma)

Family-Asteraceae

Sanskrit-Sahadevi

Scientific Name-vernonia cinerea

Wearing this is for pleasing Lord Brahma and removing poverty and sadness.There is a belief that it we worship this plant everyday,even the gateway will become gold.Bride and groom use the kajal made from this plant on the wedding day for getting the best married life.

5)Kanjunni(God:Lord Siva)

Family-Asteraceae

Sanskrit-Bhringa,Kesaraja 

Scientific Name-Eclipta alba

Wearing this while meditating Lord Siva is like confession so that he will forgive all our sins and for getting good and harmonious married life.

6)Mukkutti(God:Sreeparvathy)

Family-oxalidaceae

Sanskrit-jalapushpa,krithanjali

Scientific Name-Biophytum sensitivum

  

Ladies always wear this on hair for the health of husband and children.There is a belief that mukkutti with three flowers at the same time in an inflorescence is rare,but it is a symbol of finding fortune underneath it.

7)Nilapana(God:Prithvidevi)
Family-Amaryllidaceae

Sanskrit-Thalamooli,varahi

Scientific Name-Curculigo Orchioides

Wearing this is good for acquiring patience and tolerence and is good for

getting better wisdom righteousness etc.

8)Uzhinja(God:Lord Indra)

Family-Sapindaceae

Sanskrit-Indravalli,Chakralatha 

Scientific Name-Cardiospermum halicacabum

Wearing this will fulfill all the wishes and for reaching heaven after death.Another belief is that tie this plant around the pot with which first rice is made for the baby and in all birthdays is for getting food without any obstacles throughout the life.

9)Cherula(God : Lord Yama)

Family-Amaranthaceae

Sanskrit-Bhadra,Bhadrika

Scientific Name-Aerva lanata

  

Lord Yama is the God of death.Therefore this plant is included in all funeral rituals.This plant help in acquiring longevity relating rituals like"Mrithyunjaya Homa".seeing a person who carries a bunch of this plant is considered as ill omen.

 

10)Muyalchevi(God:Lord Chandra)
Family-Asteraceae

Sanskrit-Sasasruthi,Davanthy

Scientific Name-Emilia Sonchifolia

Wearing this will bring peace of mind and will bring more beauty.