The National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI)-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) institute, based in Lucknow, is working to restore the endangered flowers that were used in Odisha’s 12th century Shree Jagannath Temple.
The Indian premier botanical research institution has provided flowers like Maurya, davana (Dayana) species for the temple since a year after NBRI signed an MoU with Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Odisha to cater for flower needs throughout the year.
“Various religious texts about practices at Shree Jagannath Temple are being reviewed. This temple uses plants and leaves extensively to carry out various rituals. Each different ritual has specific leaves or flowers. However, some of these plants are very rare and hard to find,” Ajit Kumar Shasany, Director CSIR-NBRI said from his lucknow office.
Dr. Shasany further noted that “we are on a mission to ensure their availability in this era of genetic engineering. We also want to conserve rare floral species through this means which will help us honor this temples’ tradition as well as conserve its biodiversity.”
As per their requirement planting material of marigold, tuberose, tulsi, jasmine and davana (Dayana) among others have been supplied and introduced in the Matitota garden of the temple raised for their use for worshiping purpose.
“For instance, on the agro-techniques on raising these plants periodically train gardeners who have been trained? In this regard one poly-house has been established within it enabling raising of plants all year round,” explained NBRI.
“Moreover; Namoh 108 variety lotus that was developed by CSIR-NBRI was also put into koili baikuntha Garden inside the premises of the present temple where it is in use just daily rituals due to its heavenly fragrance among other qualities.” NBRI said.
“The most important decoration of the deities in the day is the Bada Singhara Besha. It is done every night before the Ratri Pahuda (last ritual). Different types of floral ornaments are used for Bada Singhara Besha,” NBRI research ascertained.
“Ornaments are made using flowers on deity’s such as Adhara, Jhumpa, Chandrika, Tilaka, Hruda Padaka, Kara Pallav, Guna, Gava and number of garlands some of which are mixed with Tulsi leaves,” it added.
“Two more garlands ‘Nakuasi’ and ‘Nakachana’ are placed on their noses while ‘Adharmala’ is tied around the arms. Immediately below this there hangs another garland called ‘Chausaramala’. Three huge attractive lockets known as ‘Hruda Padaka’ are fixed at three deities chests. Thus; flower fade has immense religious significance in daily rituals of Lord Jagannath” says institute.
Apart from meeting the demand for flowers NBRI has created two unique gardens –‘Nabagraha Vatika’, a garden displaying planet specific plants and Surya Vatika containing bright floral colours depicting sun rays.