4. Durva Grass and Durvachan

'Durva Strands tied with

Red Hibiscus for offering 

Durva grass, also known as Arugambpul or Bermuda grass is a ritualistically used sacred plant. It is believed that the use of this grass in rituals began in Vedic period about 3500 years ago. Kusa Grass is a close variant of 'Durva, also used ritualistically.

Durva is also called Goroma which means hair of mother earth. The Vamana Purana states that durva is originated from Vasuki’s tail.

The kusha grass is sightly different from the durva grass. While the leafy blades of kusha grass have sharp edges, those of durva grass are smooth. Durva is perennial, hardy, creeping, fast growing plant that thrives in most climatic and soil conditions.

Its roots tapper deep into the soil in search of water - defying the message of perseverance.  'Durva has the ability to quickly regenerate and hence is a symbol of renewal, rebirth, fertility, and hence prosperity (hence 'Durva us particularly offered to household God like Ganesha and not to ascetic God like Shiva).

Durva Grass is also known as Bermuda Grass, Dog’s Tooth Grass, Bahama Grass, Devil’s Grass, Couch Grass, Arugampul, Grama or Scutch Grass. The names Durva and Haritali are Hindi names.

The Ganpati Atharvashirsha mentions that offering durva grass to Ganesha makes a person opulent like Lord Kuber. Similarly, offering of rice paddy helps to achieves fame and success. Offering of  thousand ladoos to Ganesha helps in fulfilling personal desires.

There are various spieces of Durva such as  Cynodon dactylon, Desmostachya bipinnata, Imperata cylindrica and Panicun dactylon.

How is 'Durva used in worship ?

'Durva is used in various ways for performing rituals, such as -

1. Rings of 'Durva are worn for performing sacrificial offerings (homa). It is said that 'Durva has a purifying effect.

2. 'Durva is woven into various floral arrangements such as garlands (called arugampul malai or mala), bunches which are offered to the Gods, especially Lord Ganesha.

3. 'Durva is woven into mats (sitting mats). These are used for sitting while performing prayers and rituals.

4. In Ganesh Puja Durva with 3 or 5 stocks is commonly used. It is called durvankur. In a durvankur, the middle leaflet is said to attract Ganesha, while the lateral leaflets attract Shiva and Parvati. 

It is believed that three stocked Durva helps in nullifying the bad effect of bad karma and destiny, while the five stocked Durva helps in attaining the five perquisites of life.

The offering of 'Durva to Ganesha is called durvarchanai or Durvarchan. In Durvarchan, 21 stocks of 'Durva are bundled up. Each stock should have either three or five leaflets.  The knotted bundle is washed by dipping in water and offered to Ganedha. In Durvarchan, the entire body of Ganesha is covered with 'Durva excluding the face starting from the feet. While offering 'Durva, the AUM Mantra is chanted along with names of Ganesha.

The word Durva is a derived from two words ‘duhu’ and ‘avam’ meaning one which is far away and brought closer. Thus it implies that durva helps in bringing the distant blessings and purity of Lord Ganesha closer.

Durva is a Sanskrit word meaning one which is cut or eaten by animals. It represents and has the ability to attract the principles of the three deities namely Shiva, Shakti and Ganesha (Primal Shiva, Primal Shakti and Primal Ganesh respectively).

If the 'Durva grass is unavailable, Akshata can be used in its place. The Akshata are unbroken grains of rice smeared with kumkum (red powder). Use of Akshata in offerings is considered as wholesome or all-encompasing i.e. akshata can substitute all substances offered in ritualistic offerings and prayers.

Ganesha Poojan comprises of Durva Pooja.

In Durva Pooja, durva comprising of having 3 or 5 stocks is commonly used.

The three stocked Durva is offered to nullifying the bad effect of destiny.

The five stocked Durva is offered to receive five perquisites.