Ganesh Chaturthi

Significance of 21 Patri-leaves used in Ganesh Archana – An Ayurveda Perspective.

Ganesh Archana – “Patri Puja”

Significance of 21 Patri-leaves used in Ganesh Archana – An Ayurveda Perspective.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great devotion all over India. People bring and welcome the Idols of Ganapati at home or in pandals. The special chant of Mantras, Pooja, and Aarati always enhances the energetic, and lively atmosphere of the festival.

One of the major rituals of the pooja on the Ganesh Chaturthi is the “Patri pooja”. At least 21 different Patri’s, that is leaves of plants are typically used.

The list of plants used may differ slightly from one region to another. Locally available medicinal plants are supposed to be used for pooja. It is observed that every plant leaf from Pooja has unique medicinal values and health benefits. They all are used as medicines for various diseases. The broad spectrum uses of these plants make them unique and hence included in the special pooja of Ganapati. Apart from this, it is ecologically beneficial to cut down the leaves of fully grown plants after the rainy season (Shravan) for better propagation.

Let us first understand the medicinal values associated with these 21 different types of leaves.

Let us start with the number 21 itself. What is the special significance of the number 21?

The logical reason behind this number 21 is that our body is believed to be made up of Panchamahabhuta and 16 Indriya (5 basic constituents and 16 main organs). Hence 21 Patri puja is believed to be a symbolic offering of our complete self to Ganapati – an act to remind us to keep our ego in check.

Let’s have a look at 21 Patri and its medicinal uses in general. Common names are mentioned in brackets.

1. Machi Patram – (Davana)

Treats skin diseases such as leprosy, and leucoderma, various gastrointestinal (abdominal) diseases such as stomach pain, diarrhea, intestinal colic, and gynecological diseases. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

2. Bruhati Patram – (Dorali)

It relieves joint pains, reduces lumps, and treats asthma, and coughs. It is good for the heart. It removes bad odor from the mouth. It increases sperm count. It works as a diuretic.

3. Bilva Patram – (Bela)

All parts of this tree’s leaves, fruit, stem, and roots are used as medicine to cure various diseases such as dysentery, asthma, fractures, healing of wounds, swollen joints, high blood pressure, jaundice, and typhoid, and for the management of diabetes. Bela fruit pulp is used to cure chronic diarrhea, dysentery, and gastric problems.

4. Doorvayugmam - (Doorva)

Doorva helps to arrest bleeding and anemia. It cures skin diseases and dandruff. It reduces nightmares/bad dreams. It acts as a diuretic and is useful in many gynecological disorders.

5. Dhattura Patram – (Dhotara)

It works as an anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory. It treats asthma, fever, wounds, dandruff, and joint disorders such as stiffness, locked jaw, lower back pain, itching, and pain. Note – Dhattura is a toxic plant and is not advised for children and pregnant women. It causes hallucinations, and convulsions.

6. Badari Patram – (Bora)

It treats Laryngitis, cough, digestive disorders, wounds, and injuries.

7. Apamarga Patram – (Aaghada)

It treats digestive disorders, poisonous bites, asthma, and leucoderma Improves digestion and metabolism.

8. Tulasi Patram - (Tulas)

It is one of the best antiviral herbs. It is an antimicrobial and anti-toxic. it treats asthma, chronic disorders, psychiatric disorders, kidney/bladder stones, and skin diseases with pain, and itchiness.

9. Chootha Patram - (Aamba)

It treats diabetes, heartburn, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and skin discoloration. It also acts as a good energizer and stimulant.

10. Karaveera Patram - (Kanheri)

This is a toxic herb and it is used for external applications. It treats Leprosy, wounds and injuries, lice, itching, fast movement of eyes, and eye inflammation.

11. Vishnukranta Patram - (Shankhapushpi)

Used to treat brain and nervous system-related disorders, blood vomiting, bleeding disorders, ulcers, gastric irritation, and memory loss. It increases memory power and intellect. It enhances the self-healing potency of the body.

12. Daadimee Patram – (Dalimb)

It treats dysentery, food poisoning, diarrhea, and acidity-related disorders.

13. Devadaru Patram - (Devadar)

It treats skin diseases, wounds, injuries, headaches, arthritis, breast pain, mastitis, and stiffness.

14. Maruvaka Patram - (Murva)

It treats skin diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, sore throat, cough, scorpion bite, and bad breath. It is considered a good cardio-protective, liver tonic, and stops abnormal menstrual flow.

15. Sindhuvara Patram - (Nirgundi)

It treats Vata-related problems, used as anti-poisonous drugs, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, vaginal inflammation, and grey hair.

16. Jaati Patram – (Chameli)

It treats skin diseases, wounds, mouth-related problems, indigestion, erectile dysfunction, gingivitis, and eye diseases.

17. Gandaki Patram – (Kanchanar)

Used to treat heart-related diseases, piles, skin diseases, and cervical lymphadenitis.

18. Shamee Patram - (Shami)

It treats mouth ulcers, joint pains, diarrhea, itching skin diseases, scorpion bites, wounds, bleeding disorders, and repeated abortion.

19. Ashwathha Patram - (Pimpal)

It treats impotence, joint swelling, pain, pimples, bleeding and wounds, and skin diseases. Its bark is used in the preparation of many medicines, it is also used in abnormal bleeding disorders, and in strengthening uterine muscles.

20. Arjuna Patram - (Arjun)

It treats joint pains, heart diseases, wound and septic conditions, bleeding disorders, fractures, chronic respiratory disorders, and tuberculosis.

21. Arka / Mandar patram - (Rui)

It treats poisonous bites, wounds, and injuries, leprosy, tumors, joint pains.

There is some variation in 21 patris described for pooja. In the above information, we tried to focus on common medicinal uses of plants. Do include the above patri in pooja and spread awareness about its uses by sharing this article. May the high spirits of Ganesh Festival stay with us forever just like the blessings of Ganpati Bappa!!

Author:
Dr. Gayatri Kulkarni – Mulye (MD Ayurveda),
Vaidya Tejaswini Bhale – Borse (Ayurveda Physician)

By Dr. Gayatri Mulye

Ganesh Festival

Lord Ganesha symbolizes wisdom, understanding, and a discriminating intellect that one must possess to attain perfection in life. He is one who pacifies all worries and obstacles from life.

We all are eagerly waiting to welcome our beloved Ganapati bappa. After 3 years of many restrictions due to the pandemic, this year we all are planning a huge celebration. Creative and unique decorations in pandals, authentic pooja, different Prasad items are creating very positive vibes amongst all of us. Apart from these many Ganapati mandals are also arranging different competitions like decoration competition, Modak making competition, various competitions for kids and even some cultural events. All of these have direct or indirect associations with our health. It’s true that festivals and its mass celebrations are responsible for good community or social health. Let’s see how true it is!!

According to Ayurveda health is not merely absence of disease but it is a perfect equilibrium of physiological, psychological and social health. This festival is having micro and macro impact on all three domains of health. It is said perfectly, Ganapati bappa brings happiness by demolishing all the obstacles.

Ganapati festival and its impact on Physical health domain –

There are so many festivals celebrated in India. Festival rituals are always associated with local food and ways of seasonal care which are very essential to prevent health hazards. Ganapati festival comes under the season of Varsha rutu. The low digestive fire and metabolic toxins always hamper gut health these days. Ukadiche modak is a perfect recipe which minimizes load on digestive systems and takes care of our nutritional requirements. Daily sweet food items used as Naivedya like ladoo, kheer, panchakhadya, jaggery and coconut, milk added with sugar reduces accumulation of pitta and balances vata and avoids outburst of pitta disorders in the very next season.

Ganapati festival and its impact on Psychological health domain –

It is very common to observe that all the members of the family intermingle with each other in a very happy mood in Ganpati festival, be it while preparing Modaks in the kitchen place or making pooja arrangements or little ones of family giving out their best ideas in decorations, pooja arrangements etc. Effectively, Ganpati bappa keeps the family united and happy.

Especially after the pandemic, many people are seen to face numerous psychological problems. work pressure, disturbed family structures, lack of conversation and quality time is lacking in many families. This Ganesh festival is an opportunity for all of us to bond with each other again. A happy, positive time with family while worshiping Ganapati is necessary to drop down many psychological issues.

When it comes to large scale, we all know that Lokmanya Tilak started public Ganapati festivals for many reasons. It has now evolved to a different level where every Ganapati mandal acts as a single big family of relatively unrelated people with each other. Everyone is involved and devoted to a single cause. This interaction, positivity, creativity, happiness, helping sense removes negativity of mind. The positive vibes of festivals are responsible for removing negative emotions from mind.

Ganapati festival and its impact on social health domain –

Social health is an individual’s ability to handle, and act based on different social conditions. Good social health relations involve good communication, empathy, and care for family, friends, and colleagues. Ganapati festivals have many social benefits. Festivals promote a feeling of social harmony, enhance social identities, offer a release from stresses of everyday life, positively influence subjective well-being, contribute to a sense of place, and build better multicultural societies.

Festivals and special events during it lead to many benefits within the host community. As stated earlier, these benefits include building social cohesion, providing a sense of belonging, providing public goods beyond entertainment, and providing a socially acceptable area for public actions.

Rolling economy, business opportunities, creativity, improvement in other domains of life are some added advantages of Ganapati festival.

“Wishing a very Happy Ganesh Chaturthi. May Lord Ganesha bless each and every day of our lives!!”

Author:
Dr. Gayatri Kulkarni – Mulye (MD Ayurved),
Vaidya Tejaswini Bhale – Borse (Ayurveda Physician)

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