Giby ji Great work indeed. Satish On Sun, Jul 17, 2011 at 12:49 PM, Smilax004 <giby.kuriak...@gmail.com>wrote:
> Thanks Deviji for sharing this. > > May I share my experience in connection with dasapushpam and nakshthra > marangal (trees of zodiac signs)? > I have been involved in planting dasapushpam, trees of zodiac signs > (http://thenmala.info/trees.html) in collaboration with forest > department and different temple authorities in different parts of > Kerala. It was a good experience as people from different corners > (school & College) students, teachers, involved in the program to > restore a Kavu (sacred forest) last month in Central Kerala > (Nagapuzha, near Thodupuzha in Idukki district of Kerala). Here people > have realized the fact that they have lost the natural habitat near > the pristine Kavu by the activity of different authorities handled the > temple for the last 30-40 years. During this period they have > renovated and temple (which was just a small idol beneath a tree when > the kavu was there) and build new temple and expanded the existing > one. Now they realize that unless they get the kavu back, the divinity > of the area would not be complete. Now they are planting trees and > other plants with local importance. I am in the restoration committee > along with experts from different fields. We insisted them plants > (only indigenous/endemics) of ethnic and medicinal importance. We > suggested trees of zodiac signs (Nakshathra marangal), Dasapushpangal, > Dasamoolangal (major plants used in the preparation of > Dasamoolarishtam, an ayurvedic preparation). Kerala Forest department > and Devaswam Board are showing keen interest in generating awareness > by planting trees in such places in collaboration with local people or > interested public bodies towards conservation. > MS Swaminathan Research Foundation regional station (MSSRF, Waynad, > Kerala) is involved in such kind of activities in Kerala. They > distribute seedlings of these trees/plants as well! > > Thanks and Regards, > Giby > > > On Jul 17, 8:24 am, Devi Nair <tcld...@gmail.com> wrote: > > The month of Karkkidakam has started today as per the Malayalam calendar. > > This is the wettest month of the season and the ten sacred flowers, > > 'Dashapushpam', are given a lot of importance in rituals. This is > because > > it is also the season when a lot of illnesses surface due to the damp > > weather. > > > > Even though they are termed as flowers, in reality it is the whole plant > and > > the leaves that are medicinal. The flowers in most cases are small and > > inconspicuous. > > > > Many of these can also be used as pot herbs and added to batters or Dhals > to > > make healthy and tasty dishes. The leaves of of the Mukkutti are crushed > and > > the greenish black juice is used by the women to make a bindi during this > > month. It is supposed to attract 'Shree' , prosperity. > > > > *Dashapushpam* > > * > > * > > * > > * > > * > > * > > 1. Karuka Cynodon dactylon > > 2. Valli uzhinja Cardiospermum halicacabum > > 3. Poovankurunnela Vernonia cinerea > > 4.Muyalchevian Emilia sonchifolia > > 5.Kayyonni Eclipta alba > > 6.Nilappana Curculigo orchioides > > 7.Vishnukranti Evolvulus alsinoides > > 8.Mukkutti Biophytum sensitivum > > 9.Cherula Aerva lanata > > 10.Thirutali Ipomoea sepiaria > > > > Regards, > > Devi >
