Do you know the 21 sacred leaves used in Ganesh Chaturthi puja?
Hyderabad: Ganesh Chaturthi, an important Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, will be observed this year on September 7, 2024. Also known as Vinayak Chaturthi, this festival honors Lord Ganesha, who is revered for his wisdom and ability to remove obstacles. During the puja ceremony, 21 sacred leaves are traditionally offered to Lord Ganesha. This practice, known as Eka Vimshathi Patra Puja, is significant for its spiritual and health benefits.
Here’s a list of the 21 sacred leaves used in the Ganesh Chaturthi puja, along with their botanical names and associated mantras:
1. Machi Patram
Botanical Name: Artemisia Vulgaris
Mantra: Om Sumukhaya Namaha
2. Bruhathi Patram
Botanical Name: Solanum Xanthocarpum
Mantra: Om Ganadhipaya Namaha
3. Bilva Patram
Botanical Name: Aegle Marmelos
Mantra: Uma Putraya Namaha
4. Durva Yugmam
Botanical Name: Cynodon Dactylon
Mantra: Om Ganeshaya Namaha
5. Datura Patram
Botanical Name: Datura Metel
Mantra: Om Harasunave Namaha
6. Badari Patram
Botanical Name: Ziziphus Jujuba
Mantra: Lambodaraya Namaha
7. Aparamarga Patram
Botanical Name: Achyranthes Aspera
Mantra: Guhagrajaya Namaha
8. Tulasi Patram
Botanical Name: Ocimum Sanctum
Mantra: Gaja Karnaya Namaha
9. Chuta Patram
Botanical Name: Mangifera Indica
Mantra: Eka Dantaya Namaha
10. Karavira Patram
Botanical Name: Nerium Oleander/Nerium Indicum
Mantra: Vikataya Namaha
11. Vishnu Kranta Patram
Botanical Name: Evolvulus Alsinoides
Mantra: Bhinna Dantaya Namaha
12. Dadimi Patram
Botanical Name: Punica Granatum
Mantra: Vatave Namaha
13. Devadaru Patram
Botanical Name: Cedrus Deodara
Mantra: Sarveswaraya Namaha
14. Maruvaka Patram
Botanical Name: Origanum Majorana
Mantra: Phala Chandraya Namaha
15. Sindhuvara Patram
Botanical Name: Vitex Nigundo
Mantra: Herambhaya Namaha
16. Jaji Patram
Botanical Name: Jasminum Grandiflorum
Mantra: Surpa Karnaya Namaha
17. Gandaki Patram
Botanical Name: Solanum Nigrum
Mantra: Suragrajaya Namaha
18. Sami Patram
Botanical Name: Prosopis Spicigera
Mantra: Ibhavaktraya Namaha
19. Ashwattha Patram
Botanical Name: Ficus Religiosa
Mantra: Vinayakaya Namaha
20. Arjuna Patram
Botanical Name: Terminalia Arjuna
Mantra: Sura Sevithaya Namaha
21. Arka Patram
Botanical Name: Calotropis Gigantea
Mantra: Kapilaya Namaha
Offering these 21 sacred leaves during the Ganesh puja is believed to purify and enhance one’s health. These leaves have medicinal benefits, which are especially valuable during the monsoon season when diseases are more common. Devotees seek physical and spiritual well-being by incorporating these leaves into the ritual.
