Ashoka, the Legend and the Love Symbol

Ashoka tree ( bunga asoka in Indonesian) is standing tree which flowers throughout the year. As tropics flower, it loves direct sunshine. Sunshine will fit it’s color best and bright. Ashoka love damp soil too, so make sure to water it regularly. Ashoka is very much liked for it’s compact and colorful flowers, with green leaves.

Another interesting point about this beautiful flower is the legend that comes with it, especially the story in India’s culture.It is believed that Sakyamuni, the founder of Budda and Nirvana doctrine, was born under ashoka tree by the tenth century. Ashoka trees are worshipped by the Buddhist. While for Hinduist, this flower is a symbol of love.

In a story of Rama and Sita, it is said that when Sita ( Rama’s wife) was kidnapped by Ravvana, she was hidden in a garden which is overwhelmed with ashoka trees. Thus for India’s society, this flower is dedicated to Rama.

Both Buddhist and Hinduist plants ashoka trees in the surrounding of their temples. The flower is also used as veneration.

In India, this flowers is widely used as medication, the juice from the branch boiling can be used to heal some women’s disease, and the flower is for dysentery.

There is a day in India which is called ‘Shasthi Day’. In this day, the Bengal women consume ashoka flower. The Hinduist believe that by drinking the boiled water of ashoka flower will keep their children fearful and grieve.

(http://exotictour.info)

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