Article Written By EIH Researcher And Writer
Urmimala Dev
For many centuries, Hinduism has had a deep relationship with jasmine flowers. The Arabic term “Yasmin”, which means gift from God, and the Persian word “Yasmin”, which implies fragrance, are the origins of the word jasmine. These flowers are typically used for puja, temple adornment, religious rituals, symbolic gifts, and other purposes. Women make these flowers into garlands and use them to adorn their hair during festivities. Additionally, jasmine flowers are used in all important rituals, including those for birth, puberty, marriage, anniversaries, betrothals, and death.
Despite being fragile and having a relatively limited lifespan, these small flowers have a strong aroma that lifts the spirits of the community. This is what lends jasmine its mystical and enduring qualities. In Indian paintings, sculptures, and other forms of visual art, the jasmine flower has been depicted frequently. Additionally, jasmine is a common component of vintage necklaces and pendants. The flower is also mentioned in ancient texts like Kamasutra. Women in the Mahabharata and Ramayana adorned their bodies and hair with jasmine, and the flower’s alluring scent was heavily admired. Intricate motifs of jasmine have been seen adorning the bodies of both men and women on monuments and sculptures made during the Chalukya, Chola and Pallava dynasties. It also finds its mention in Abhigyana Shakuntala, written by Kalidasa. Shakuntala is called a child of nature and compared to a Jasmine flower. A 2000-year-old Ayurvedic text known as the Charaka Samhita refers to jasmine as “Jati” and recommends using its essential oil and aroma to heal different illnesses like migraines, sleeplessness, and certain skin infections as well as to relax the mind and body. These examples show that jasmine was cultivated widely and was regarded as a sacred flower even centuries back. Since 300 B.C, the jasmine flower and the city of Madurai have shared a special connection. The variety found here is called, Madurai Malligai. Some stories speculate on the significance of Jasmine in Sangam literature. According to a myth, Parthan, the King of Ayodhya, fervently worshiped Lord Shiva in a jasmine-filled forest. The legendary monarch Paari is claimed to have discovered the flower, while on one of his hunting expeditions.
Jasmine has been always used to make perfume, since ancient times. Archaeologists have discovered distillation stills amongst ruins of the Indus Valley Civilization. The classical smell of rose water, sandalwood, and jasmine oils is thought to have been created in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh. The Jasmine flower has been intricately associated with India, since time immemorial and continues to do so even today.
References
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2) “The Significance of Flowers in the Indian Culture.” 24HRS CITY FLORIST. Accessed September 12, 2022. https://www.24hrscityflorist.com/blog/the-significance-of-flowers-in-the-indian-culture/.
3) “Jasmine: The Queen of Flowers.” Paro, July 23, 2019. https://parogoodearth.com/sutradhar/jasmine-the-queen-of-flowers/.
4) “India’s Auspicious Flowers.” BBC Travel. BBC. Accessed September 12, 2022. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20170209-indias-auspicious-flowers.
5) “The Many Lives of the Jasmine.” Deccan Herald. DH News Service, August 27, 2022. https://www.deccanherald.com/sunday-herald/sunday-herald-art-culture/the-many-lives-of-the-jasmine-1139494.html.
