12. Flowers Liked By Ganesha

Flowers form a very important part of all Hindu rituals and ceremonies. No ritual is deemed complete without offering of flowers.

Flowers enliven the surrounding with their pleasing appearance and aroma. Besides this, it is believed that the certain flowers (by the virtue of their color or aroma) have the ability to allure the principals (subtle frequencies) of deities present in the atmosphere. These divine frequencies are absorbed and remitted by the flowers around the place of worship. Hence it is brings positivity around the devotees.  

Each deity has his or her favorite flowers and leaves. For instance, red color flowers are the liked by Lord Ganesha.The propitiation of a deity in a ritual (pooja) is considered incomplete without offering the desired flowers to the deity. The color and the aroma of the color of the flower plays an important role in invoking the deity.

There are different types of flowers offered in rituals. Generally, flowers with subtle smell are preferred. Both strongly scented and scentless flowers are avoided. Only fresh, fully blossomed flowers should be choose for offering and mutilate flowers should be discarded.

According to scriptures, there are three types of flowers - Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. While the Sattva and Rajas flowers are used in daily offerings, the Tamas flowers are used only for specific purposes.

Some of the examples of Sattva flowers are milkweed, Drona, Jasmine, Coral tree, White lotus flowers and Nandyavattam (East Indian rosebay, Crape Jasmine).

Red lotus, Trumpet flowers and White thorn apple flowers are examples of Rajas flowers.

Durva grassm, China rose, Cotton plant, Ketaki are examples of Tamas flowers.

Lord Ganesha has liking for many other flowers and leaves. For instance, the offering of 21 Patras (meaning leaves) has special significance in Ganesh Pooja.

Ritualistically, flowers offered to the deity should not be pollinated or plucked. 

Some flowers and presiding deities presiding in them-

Flower	Presiding Deity
Paarijaatha	Aanjeneya
Sowgandhika	Bheemasena
White	Lord Shiva
Punnaga	Garuda
Dhruva	Varuna
Thulasi (Tulsi)	Maha Lakshmi
Kadamba	Parvati