Ashoka Tree/Saraca Asoca
The Ashoka Tree is one of the most sacred and legendary trees of India, and one of the most fascinating flowers in the Indian range of flower essences. The beautiful, perfumed flowers of the Ashoka Tree are used in temple decoration. Prized for its beautiful foliage and flowers, the Asoka Tree has many religious significances. This tree is revered by the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. It is said that Lord Buddha was born under this tree in Lumbini. Some says that Lord Mahavira renounced the world under the Ashoka tree in Vaishali. The Hindus worship this tree because it is dedicated to “Kama Deva” (God of Love). The Ashoka tree gets a mention in the epic Ramayana as the“Ashoka Vatika” (garden of Ashoka trees) where Hanuman first meets Sita. Literally meaning “the “sorrowless tree”, it is believed that drinking the water in which the flowers have been washed is widely considered a protection against grief among the Indians.
