Flowers have been used in sacred worship for centuries, by all religions. They are piously offered to deity. Garlands have always been utilised and believed to be the symbol of beauty, respect, devotion, purity, and peace. Fragrance from the fresh flowers acts as a connecting medium between the devotee and deities.Flowers play a central role in Hindu religious and cultural practices, and significant life events.
Whether in temples or at home, flower garlands are frequently used in worship. Garlands of various flowers and leaves are offered to deities and adorn their statues. A Puja is essentially a ritual that symbolizes an offering of our lives and activities to God.The flower that is offered to the deity stands for the good that has blossomed in the worshipper. The offered fruits symbolise detachment, self-sacrifice, and surrender. The incense burned stands for the desire for various things in life. The lamp that is lit represents the light in each person, which is the soul. The vermilion or red powder stands for our emotions.
The holiest of flowers for Hindus, the beautiful lotus is symbolic of the true soul of an individual. It represents the being, which lives in turbid waters yet rises and blossoms to the point of enlightenment. Mythologically the lotus is also a symbol of creation, since Brahma, the creator came forth from the lotus.In the Bhagavad Gita, a human is adjured to be like the lotus; they should work without attachment, dedicating their actions to God, untouched by sin like water on a lotus leaf, like a beautiful flower standing high above the mud and water.
Hindus may also don flower garlands in other religious functions and festivals, such as Deepavali and Pongal. For instance, kavadi bearers and devotees sometimes wear garlands during the street processions of Thaipusai and Panguni Uthiram. At a Tamil Hindu wedding, the couple exchanges flower garlands as a sign of union and mutual trust.
With modern conveniences overtaking our lifestyle, flowers and garlands seem to be going out of vogue. However, one area in the Pettah sustains this beautiful tradition associated with flowers. As you walk along Kathiresan Street and take a turn to your right you will come across Andival Street.
At the end of this road Sea Street rises to dominate the area with its gold jewellery shops. Nearing the topmost end of this road is the Kathiresan Kovil, with its grey “Gopuram’ (tower) standing like a solitary sentinel.Along this area I was able to witness the skills of men, patiently making garlands with fresh flowers. For more than fifty years this area has been the domain of garlands.
The draped flowers hang at eye level in the market to encourage and entice the inspecting customer. The passerby can visually check the freshness of the work by the edges of the petals which could be sharp and clean.
Thulasi
Vairawanathan was seated on a wooden stool, his eyes gazing on the thread that binds the garland. He looked up and quoted his prices. We began to talk, and he said “I have been here for 38 years, making garlands which devotees take to worship at this kovil and other kovils around the area.Today, we still manage to get our fresh flowers, but it is not easy.” He pointed at the wild jasmine flowers which are the common choice.
Vairawanathan explained “Each garland has a purpose in terms of worship, and is affiliated with various Hindu festivals. See this green Thulasi leaves, the garlands made of this are offered to Vishnu. At times, we are very busy, when we have prior orders for wedding garlands, the price varies as per the customer’s choice”.
The ‘Thulasi’ plant or Indian basil is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition. The name Thulasi connotes “the incomparable one”. According to one legend, Thulasi was the incarnation of a princess who fell in love with lord Krishna, and so had a curse laid on her by his consort Radha.In the Hindu mythology, Thulasi is very dear to Lord Vishnu. Thulasi is ceremonially married to Vishnu annually on the 11th bright day of the month of Karttika in the lunar calendar. Thulasi is a venerated plant and Hindus worship it in the morning and evening. Dark or Shyama Thulasi and light or Rama Thulasi are the two main varieties of basil.The presence of Thulasi plant symbolises the religious bent of a Hindu family. A Hindu household is considered incomplete if it doesn’t have a Thulasi plant in the courtyard.The plant’s extracts can be used to prevent and cure many illnesses and common ailments like common cold, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation and heart disease.
On the other side sits an older man, busy at work. He is Muthukumaran, the senior most garland maker who has been in business for 50 years! His finger nails are stained from the natural dyes of the flowers. He greeted me and said “I came from Kandy when I was just eight years old. Colombo was a very different city those days. I learnt my craft here, and have no regrets. I feel I am helping people in their act of sacred worship. On Fridays we are very busy. Many devotees come to the kovil”. The amiable old man continues to make a garland as he talks. He pointed to a bunch of thin needle like grass and explained, “You may not have seen this? This is known as arugampullu (Bermuda grass), and is used for specific forms of worship. Some now buy artificial garlands, but we feel, fresh garlands have a special aura. The devotees have a choice ‘‘Walking via Andival Street, we approach a line of six shops selling artificial garlands, bursting in beautiful colours. The vendors began to offer discounts. One salesman declared “These garlands are from India. As you know there many kovils there of great prominence. We don’t compete with the natural garland makers, but we offer the devotees a choice”.
Rudraksha
These shops sell the famous Rudraksha – a chain made with beads, often used by meditating sages and hermits in India.Mythological tales have it that the Rudraksha plant was born out of Lord Shiva’s teardrops.Necklaces made of Rudraksha beads are considered auspicious as well as powerful and are supposed to have profound astrological and health benefits.
The word rudraksha is derived from two words – rudra and aksha .Rudra and aksha means the one who is capable of looking at and doing everything (for example, the third eye). Aksha also means axis.The rudraksha tree grows in a narrow opening, not on plain ground. Its leaves resemble those of tamarind. It yields one to two thousand fruits annually. The Yatis (Ascetics) in the Himalayas survive only on these fruits. A rudraksha has a natural opening from one side to the other; it need not be created. This opening is known as vahini (a channel).The rudraksha transforms light waves of Deities in the universe into sound waves of the human body and vice versa. As a result, man can absorb waves of Deities and human thoughts can get converted into the language of the Deities.A real rudraksha can be recognized by the vibrations felt upon holding it.Rudraksha facilitate the activation of the Kundalini.According to the Ayurveda medical system, wearing a Rudraksha chain can have a positive effect and relieve you from stress.
Purnakumbha
Many would have seen a Purnakumbha used is Hindu rituals alongside garlands, and I offer a brief explanation. An earthen pot(Purnakumbha) full of water, with fresh mango leaves and a whole coconut atop it is generally placed by the side of the deity before starting a Puja. Purnakumbha literally means a “full pitcher” (derived from Sanskrit the word purna meaning full and kumbha meaning pot). The pot symbolises Mother Earth, the leaves life, and the coconut divine consciousness. Commonly used during almost all religious rites, and also called kalasha, the pitcher also stands for goddess Lakshmi. In understanding other religions we cultivate respect and realise the power in religious diversity. For centuries flowers and garlands have been part of Hindu worship. They will enhance these rituals with their fragrance for decades to come.
Dishan Joseph