Role of Plants in Different Religious Ceremonies Common to Uttarakhand Region

Abstract

Many traditional religious ceremonies and festivals in India are associated with specific plants. Association of plants like Azadiracta indica with Gudipadva, Ficus benghalensis with vatpurnima, Bauhinia racemosa with dashara and Ocimum sanctum with tulsi vivaha is well known. The present study deals with some of the important plants such as Ficus religiosa (peepal), Ficus benghalensis (vat), Ocimum sanctum etc. which are related to pujas or other religious ceremonies in which they are offered by the women of Uttarakhand region.