researcharticle International Journal of Plant Sciences, (July, 2010) Vol.

5 Issue 2 : 417-422

The plants used in Shri Ganapathi Homam in Pondicherry and their values
A. PRAGASAM, G. KARTHIKEYAN AND J. PRESENA
Accepted : February, 2010

SUMMARY
In Hindu religion there are several homams performed on the name of God for various obligations such as good health, wealth,
prosperity, marriage, children, good welfare of people and the country. Lord Ganapathy is considered as power of Supreme
Being that removes obstacles and ensures success in human endeavor. So the homam is performed on the name of Shri
Ganapathy. In Ganapathy homam sixty-five plant species are used in Pondicherry. They belong to fifty-eight genera and thirty-
six families. Of them sixty-four are angiosperms and one is gymnosperm. Thirty nine are cultivated and twenty six are wild. All
the plants used in homam are highly medicinal, nutritive and antimicrobial.The smoke emitted while burning the plants in
homam has curative properties. It is supposed to purify the atmosphere. It also drives away the poisonous insects.

Key words : Ganapathi homam, Values of plants, Pondicherry

T he plants are intimately associated with human

civilization. Lots of Vedic actions which are performed
by our ancestors are not only based on the rituals but
Supreme Being that removes obstacles and ensures
success in human endeavor. So the homam is performed
on the name of Shri Ganapathy.
they have close connection with the scientific explanations. While performing homam a number of plants or plant
They believed in supernatural powers and use of folk products such as fresh fruits, dried fruits, seeds, leaves,
medicine in the treatment of diseases and ailments woods, roots, barks, spices and cereals are put in fire. All
(Pradhan et al., 2006). They have related the medicinal the plants used in homam are highly medicinal, nutritive
value of the plants with the social and religious beliefs. and antimicrobial. The smoke emitted while burning is
One of such socio- religious beliefs is performing supposed to cure a variety of diseases such as cough,
homam.There are hundreds of homams in India which bronchitis, asthma, kapha, pita and vatha. It also kills the
are classified into two main groups namely Kaamya microbes in the near vicinity and drives away the poisonous
homam and Naimithika homam. Kaamya homam is insects (Subramanyaprasad and Raveendran, 2006). The
preformed on a particular person for his health and wealth. unscrupulous collection of the nutritionally and medicinally
This can be done at home by inviting archakars who are important plants leads to the loss of their diversity and
skilled in performing various homams. Naimithika homam environmental degradation. Our understanding of the
is performed for the enrichment of the world and peaceful plants used in homam may pave way for the protection of
life. This is performed at the temples or in the midst of the wild plants by cultivation. The present work has been
the city and is done for the betterment of whole human taken up to reveal the botanical names, names of families,
life. Some of the familiar homams are Ganapathy homam, medicinal and food values of the plants used in Shri
Sudharsana homam, Suktha homam, Gayathri homam, Ganapathi homam in Pondicherry and the importance to
Maha Mrithyunjaya homam, Sri Lakshmi homam, conserve them.
Navagraha homam, Karuka homam, Santam Gopalam
homam, Ayusha homam etc. Specific homams are MATERIALS AND METHODS
performed for marital bliss, children, health, wealth and Pondicherry is a Union Territory bounded by the Bay
prosperity. Lord Ganapathy is considered as power of of Bengal on the east and by the South Arcot district of
Tamilnadu on all other sides. It is at the north between
Correspondence to: 11046’ and 1203’ latitudes and 79036’ and 79053’ of eastern
A. PRAGASAM, Department of Botany, Kanchi
Mamunivar Center for Post Graduate Studies, Lawspet, longitude. The area of Pondicherry is 290 Square
PONDICHERRY, INDIA Kilometers of which 25832-hectare land is under
Authors’ affiliations: cultivation. The total population of the enclave is 7,35,000
G. KARTHIKEYAN, Department of Botany, Kanchi
Mamunivar Center for Post Graduate Studies, Lawspet of which the urban population constitutes 5,06,000 (68.84
PONDICHERRY, INDIA per cent) and the rural population is 2,29,000 (31.16 per
J. PRESENA, Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical
Education and Research (JIPMER) Lawspet,
cent). The climate is dry except during the Northeast
PONDICHERRY, INDIA monsoon. The average annual rainfall was 170 mm for
HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE
418 A. PRAGASAM, G. KARTHIKEYAN AND J. PRESENA

Table 1 : Values of Plants used in Shri Ganapathi Homam

Binomial and family Common names Parts used and uses
Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. Pine apple (E), Ananas (H), Fruits are edible, contain a valuable digestive enzyme bromelin
Bromiliaceae Annachi (T)
Anethum greveolens Linn. Dil (E), Soya (H), Sadakuppy (T) Fruits are used as spice and condiment, carminative
Apiaceae
Areca catechu Linn. Betel nut (E), Supari (H), Seeds are diuretic, digestive, anthelmentic, nervous tonic,
Arecaeae Kalipakku (T) useful in general debility
Bambusa bambos(L) Voss. Thorny bamboo (E), Banms (H), Grains are nutritive, eaten as food, thermogenic, lexeteric,
Bambusaceae Mulmoongil, Moongilarici (T) useful in kapha, intestinal worms and general debility
Brassica alba (L) Rabenh. White mustered (E), Safad rai (H), Seeds are used as spice, in pickles, they also yield fatty oil
Brassicaceae Ven kadugu (T)
Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp. Cajanpea, Redgram, Pigeonpea (E) Seeds are nutritive and eaten as pulse. Pods and leaves are used
Papilionaceae Tur, Arhar (H), Thuvarai (T) as fodder. Straight branches are used for making baskets and as
thatching material
Carum capticum Hiern. Ammi (E), Ajwain (H), Omam (T) Fruits are used as spice, antispasmodic, stimulant, antiseptic,
Apiaceae carminative, antimicrobial
Cedrus deodara (Roxb. Ex Deodar (E), Deodar (H), Devadaru Wood is useful in inflamations, insomnia, epilepsy, diabetes,
Lamb)G.Don. (T) renal and vesical calculi, vata, kapha and skin diseases. Wood
Pinaceae is also used for construction works
Capparis spinosa Linn. Caper berry (E), Kobra, Kiari (H), Flower buds are used in pickles and food preparations. They
Capparaceae Miratimokku (T) are antioxidant, hepato protective, used in inflammation,
rheumatism and stranguri
Cicer arietinum Linn. Gram, Chickpea (E), Chana , Kala Seeds are nutritive and eaten as dhal, tonic, expectorant, useful
Papilionaceae chana (H), Kadalai (T) in bronchitis, inflammation and skin diseases
Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume Cinnamon (E), Dalchini (H), Bark of the plant is used extensively as spice and condiment. It
Lauraceae Elavangam (T) is astringent, stimulant and carminative
Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f. Lemon (E), Baranimbu (H), Fruit is good source of vitamin C.It is stomachic, carminative
Rutaceae Elumichai (T) and antimicrobial
Citrus reticulata Blanco. Mandarin, Langerine(E), Santara Fruit is nutritive and good source of energy. Used in
Rutaceae (H), Kamalapazham(T) perfumeries and confectionaries
Citrus sinensis (L)Osbeck. Sweet orange (E), Musambi (H), Fruit is nutritive and good source of energy. Used in
Rutaceae Sathukudi (T) perfumeries and confectionaries
Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn) Tree turmeric (E), Jhori-haldi (H), The wood is stomachic and antiseptic. Used for debility,
Coleber Menispermaceae Maramanjal (T) indigestion, vitiated conditions of pitta and kapha
Costus speciosus (Koen.Ex Retz) Crape ginger, Spiral flag (E), Keu Rhizomes are astringent, cooling, purgative, aphrodisiac,
Sm. Zingiberaceae (H), Koshtum (T) anthelmintic, febrifuge and expectorant. Used in vitiated
conditions of kapha, pitta and skin diseases
Curcuma aromatica Salisb. Wild turmeric (E), Jangli haldi Rhizomes are tonic, carminative and antimicrobial. Used for
Zingiberaceae (H), Kasthoori manjal (T) bronchitis, cough, leucoderma and skin eruptions also used in
cosmetics
Curcuma zedoaria (Berg.) Rose. Zedoary (E), Mulhitti (H), Kichili Rhizomes are rich in starch. They are carminative, digestive
Zingiberaceae kizangu (T) and antimicrobial. Used in cosmetics
Cyperus rotundus Linn. Nut grass (E), Motha (H), Korai Root tubers are astringent, cooling, anti-inflammatory, nerve
Cyperaceae kizangu (T) tonic, digestive, carminative, anthelmintic, stomachic,
expectorant and useful in general debility, skin diseases and
vitiated conditions of pitta and kapha
Diospyros ebenum Koenig. Ebony (E), Ebans (H), Karungali Wood is used for cabinet work and musical instruments. It is
Ebenaceae (T) astringent, attenuant and lithontriptic
Dysoxylum malabaricum Bedd. White cedar (E), Agaru (H),Vella Wood is used in the manufacture of match boxes, splints and
Meliaceae agil (T) ply boards. It has larvicidal and mosquito repellent properties
Table 1 contd....
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 PLANTS USED IN SHRI GANAPATHI HOMAM 419

Contd.... Table 1
Elettaria cardamomum Maton. Cardomom (E), Chhoti-elaichi (H), Seeds are called yela arici and used as spice. They are
Zingiberaceae Yelakkai,Yela arici (T) carminative, cardiotonic and expectorant. Useful in asthma,
bronchitis, haemoroids, strangury, renal and vesical calculi and
vitiated conditions of vata
Embelia ribes Burm. Embelia (E), Baberang, Vidanga Roots are useful in kapha, vata, asthma, bronchitis, dental
Myrcinaceae (H), Vayuvilangam (T) caries, psychopathy and general debility
Eugenia caryophyllata Thumb. Clove (E), Laung (H), Dried flower buds are used as spice. They are stimulant,
Myrtaceae Lavangapathiri (T) carminative and antiflatulent. The oil is used for tooth ache
Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. Licorice (E), Roots are tonic and laxative. Used in gastric ulcers, cough and
Papilionaceae Mulhitti (H), Adhimaduram (T) sore throat. Roots are fifty times as sweet as cane sugar and
used in confectionary
Helicterus isora Linn. East Indian screw tree (E), Fruits are astringent, refrigerant, demulcent, stomachic,
Sterculiaceae Marorphali (H), Valampuri, vermifuge and used in pitta, ulcers, dysentery and diabetes
Edampuri (T)
Imperata cylindrica (L) P.Beauv. Cogon grass (E), The plant is antimicrobial and considered most sacred
Poaceae Ulu (H), Darkolum, Darbai (T)
Lablab purpurea Linn. Sweet bean, Horse gram (E), Sem, Seeds are nutritive, astringent, laxative, diuretic, stomachic,
Papilionaceae Kulti (H), Kollu (T) antispasmodic and used for kapha
Mangifera indica Linn. Mango (E), Amra (H), Maa (T) Leaves are astringent, refrigerant, useful in cough, diarrhoea,
Anacardiaceae dysentry, kapha and pitta
Manilkara zapota Linn. Sapodilla (E), Chiku (H), Sapota Fruits soaked in melted butter all night and eaten in the
Sapotaceae (T) morning is considered to be an excellent preventive of
biliousness and febrile attack
Michelia champaka Linn. Chambac (E), Chamba (H), Floral buds are astringent, haemostatic, digestive, carminative,
Mangoliaceae Senbagamokku (T) anthelmintic, antipyretic and useful in malarial fever and
vertigo
Mollugo cerviana (L) Ser. Tel (E), Parpat (H), Parpadagam Plant is used for promotion of discharge and cure for
Molluginaceae (T) gonorrhoea
Musa paradisiaca Linn. Banana (E), Kella (H), Fruits are edible, useful in nephritis, hypertention, cordiac
Musaceae Vazaipazham (T) diseases and intestinal disorders
Musua nagassarinus (Burm.f.) Iron wood (E), Nag kesar (H), Flower buds are used in cosmetics. They are astringent,
Kostarm. Sirunagapoo (T) sudarific, digestive, anthelmintic and cardio tonic. Useful in
Clusiaceae pitta, vata, asthma, cough, leprosy, scabies and impotence
Myristica fragrans Houtt. Nut mug (E), Jaiphal (H), Jathikkai Kernal and aril are used as spice, condiment and in medicine
Myristicaceae (T) for stomach ache, dysentry, nausea, vomiting, malaria and
rheumatism
Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) Spiknard (E), Balchhar, Jadamansi Roots are used in perfumery, supposed to improve hair growth
D.C.Velerianaceae (H), Jadamasi (T) and blackness. Useful in epilepsy, convulsions and hysteria.
Improves urination and digestion
Ocimum basilicum Linn. Sweet basil (E), Banfulsi (H), Plants are thermogenic, anti inflammatory, carminative,
Lamiaceae Thirunitrupachilai, Arkaja (T) digestive, useful in otalgia, cough, bronchitis and asthma
Oryza sativa Linn. Poaceae Rice (E), Chaval (H), Nellu (T) Seeds are eaten.Important food crop of India
Papavar somniferum Linn. Opium, Poppy (E), Seeds are used as condiment, induce sleep, relieve pain and
Papaveraceae Afim (H), Kasa kasa (T) relax spasm
Phoenix dactylifera Linn. Date palm (E), Pind khajur (H), Fruits are cooling, aphrodisiac, tonic, and diuretic. Useful in
Arecaceae Perichai (T) nephropathy, strangury, bronchitis, cough and dyspepsia
Piper betle Linn. Betel pepper (E), Pan (H), Vetrilai Leaves are used in mastication, useful in bronchitis, asthma,
Piperaceae (T) cough, otalgia, fever and cough
Piper cubeba Linn. Cubeb (E), Sheetalchini(H), Fruits are used in perfumery and also as spice and condiment
Piperaceae Valmilagu(T)
Table 1 contd…
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420 A. PRAGASAM, G. KARTHIKEYAN AND J. PRESENA

Contd.... Table 1
Piper longum Linn. Long pepper (E), Piper, Piplamul Fruits are used as spice and condiment, useful in gout,
Piperaceae (H), Thipili (T) lumbago, dyspepsia. They are stomachic, aphrodisiac,
carminative, expectorant, laxative and tonic
Piper nigrum Linn. Black pepper (E), Kalimirch, Gol Fruits are used as spice and condiment. They are stomachic,
Piperaceae mirch(H), Milagu (T) stimulant and carminative. Useful in arthritis, asthma,
flatulence and high cough
Prunus amygdalus Batsch Almond (E), Badam (H), Badam Seeds are nutritive and used in perfumery
Rosaceae (T)
Psidium guajava Linn. Guava (E), Amrud (H), Koiya (T) Ripe fruits are cooling, diuretic, carminative, digestive,
Myrtaceae cardiotonic and febrifuge
Psoralea corylifolea Linn. Babchi (E), Babchi (H), Karpoga Seeds are acrid, laxative, stomachic, diuretic, and diaphoretic
Papilionaceae arici (T)
Pterocarpus santalinus Linn. Red sandal (E), Lalchandan (H), Heartwood is cooling, depurative, haemostatic, anti-
Papilionaceae Semmaram (T) inflammatory and tonic. Useful in dysentery, skin diseases,
leprosy, fever, ulcer, general debility and mental aberrations
Punica granatum Linn. Pomegranate (E), Anar (H), Tender fruits are used in dierrhoea and dysentary. Seeds are
Punicaceae Mathulai (T) edible and nutritive
Pygmaeopremna herbacea Bharangi (H), Kanduparangi (T) Roots are given with ginger for asthma, rheumatism and
(Roxb) Moldenke. Verbinaceae toothache.It has hepatoprotective functions
Pyrus malus Wall. Rosaceae Apple (E), Seb (H), Apple (T) Fruit is edible and rich in vitamin A. Medicinally
recommended for diarrhoea and peptic ulcer
Quercus infectoria Oliver Gall oak (E), Mazu (H), Masikkai Leaf galls are astringent, cooling, expectorant, digestive,
Fagaceae (T) febrifuge and used in vitiated conditions of pitta and kapha.
They are also used in tanning and dyeing
Rosa damascena Mill. Rosaceae Rose (E), Gulab (H), Roja mokku Flowers are source of rose water, essential oil and gulkand.
(T) Flower buds are astringent and used in cardiac trouble and as
tonic
Santalum album Linn. White sandal wood (E), Safad The heartwood is used in extracting oil. The wood and oil is
Santalaceae chandan (H), Santhanamaram (T) medicinal. It is cooling, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and
antimicrobial
Sesamum indicum Linn. Sesame (E), Gingelly (H), Ellu (T) Seeds are used in manufacture of margarine, soaps, cosmetics,
Pedaliaceae perfumes, insecticides and pharmaceutical products
Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Bellaric myrobalan(E), Bahara(H), Dried fruits are used in dyeing and tanning. Fruit pulp is
Roxb. Combretaceae Thandrikai (T) purgative and used in dropsy and diarrhea. It has antibiotic
properties
Terminalia chebula Retz. Chebulic myrobalan (E), Harir, Fruits are rich in tannin and used as laxative, stomachic and
Combretaceae Harana (H) Kadukkai (T) tonic
Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Tinospora, Heart leaf, Moon seed Dried stems are used as tonic and for diarrhea and chronic
Miers Ex. Hook.f. and Thoms. (E), Giloy, Guduchi, Gulancha dysentery.
Menispermaceae (H), Seenthil kodi (T)
Tribulus terrestris Linn. Land caltrops (E), Gokhru (H), Fruits have diuretic and tonic properties. Used in the treatment
Zygophyllaceae Nerungil (T) of calculus affection and painful micturition
Triticum aestivum Linn. Wheat (E), Gehun (H), Godumai Seeds are eaten.Wheat products are most widly used in human
Poaceae (T) diet
Vettiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash. Vetiver, Khas - Khas (E), Gandar, Roots yield the essential oil khus.It is used in perfumery,
Poaceae Khas (H), Vilamichiver, Vettiver cosmetics and soaps. It is diaphoretic and refrigerant
(T)
Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper. Black gram (E), Seeds are used as one of the major pulses. They are cooling,
Papilionaceae Urd (H), Ulunthu (T) digestible, laxative, antipyretic and useful in blood diseases
Vigna radiata (L.) Wilezek. Green gram (E), Mung (H), Seeds are nutritive used as pulse. Useful in rheumatism,
Papilionaceae Paciparuppu (T) nervous disorders, fever and piles
Vitis vinifera Linn. Wine grape (E), Angur (H), Fruits are nutritive and rich in vitamin C. It is laxative,
Vitaceae Thiratchai (T) stomachic, diuretic, demulcent, cooling and expectorant.
Ayurvedic tonic draksha sava and chyavanaprasa are prapared
from the fruits
Zingiber officinale Rose. Ginger (E), Adtrak (H), Sukku, Inji The dried rhizomes called sukku are used as spice and
Zingiberaceae (T) condiment. They are carminative and stimulant

[Internat. J. Plant Sci., July, 2010, 5 (2)] HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE
 PLANTS USED IN SHRI GANAPATHI HOMAM 421

the year 2006-07. The temperature in winter ranged from Glycyrrhiza glabra, Helicterus isora, Imperata
20-30C and in summer from 30-33°C for the same period. cylindrica, Mollugo cerviana, Musua nagassarinus,
The relative humidity of the atmosphere ranged from 75- Nardostachys jatamansi, Phoenix dactylifera,
90 per cent.The present study includes collection of data Psoralea corylifolea, Pterocarpus santalinus,
of plant materials used in Shri Ganapathy Homam in Pygmaeopremna herbacea, Quercus infectoria,
Pondicherry, procuring the plant materials, proper Terminalia bellerica, Terminalia chebula, Tinospora
identification and economic values of the plants. The data cordifolia, Tribulus terrestris, Vettiveria zizanioides ).
regarding the plant materials were obtained from the The earlier studies have reported the use of 54
archakars performing homam. The scientific names of angiospermic plants in homam (Subramanyaprasad and
the plants, families to which they belong, their English, Raveendran, 2006).
Hindi and Tamil names were identified properly with the Though the homam is concerned with religious
help of standard Floras and text books (Anonymous, 1972; ceremonies, the highly nutritive and medicinal properties
Gamble, 1967; Mathew, 1991; Nadkarni, 1976; of the plants used in rituals reveal that it has scientific
Sambamurthy and Subramanyam, 1989; Singh et al., 1965 values. The perusal of literature revealed that the valuable
and Yoga Narasimman, 2000). The properly identified plants are gradually diminishing and the observers have
plants were photographed and the plant materials were suggested various strategies to conserve them. The loss
preserved in polythene sachets for further reference. The of population of some medicinal plants due to excessive
scientific names of the plants were arranged and unscientific exploration and the necessity to conserve
alphabetically. them was reported (Tripathi, 1998). The urgent need to
domesticate useful plant species according to their
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION importance and the degree to which they are endangered
Sixty five species of plants are being used in was advocated (Khilare et al., 2004). The maintenance
Ganapathi homam in Pondicherry which belong to 58 of home gardens for preserving such plants was also
genera and 36 families. The Botanical name, family, suggested (Rajeena, 2007). The present study reveals that
common names (English-E: Hindi-H, Tamil-T), the parts the plants used in socio-religious ceremonious such as
used and the uses of each plant are given in Table 1. The homam are nutritive, medicinal, anti microbial, insect
whole plant or various parts of the plants are used. Of repellent and purify atmosphere.
sixty-five plants studied sixty-four are angiosperms and
only one is gymnosperm (Cedrus deodora). Thirty nine Acknowledgement:
are cultivated and twenty six are wild (Bambusa bambos, We express our gratitude to M.B. Vaithialingam,
Cedrus deodara, Capparis spinosa, Coscinium Country drugs and pooja items dealer, Nehru street,
fenestratum, Costus speciosus, Curcuma zedoaria, Pondicherry for providing plant materials and V. S. Muthu
Cyperus rotundus, Diospyros ebenum, Kumaraswamy Gurukkal, Pondicherry for providing
Dysoxylum malabaricum, Embelia ribes, information on the plants used in Shri Ganapathi Homam.

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