Myths and Religious Importance of bamboo, Bans in Uttarakhand

Plant Myths, Religious Importance, and Traditions in Uttarakhand (Himalaya) - 24

By: Bhishma Kukreti, M.Sc. (Botany) (Mythology, Culture Research Scholar)

Botanical name –Bambusa vulgaris

Local Name –Bans

Hindi Name –Bans

Sanskrit Name –Vetasah वेतस:

                                           ---Economic Benefits –--

Medical uses- One ingredient in Banshlochan an Ayurveda medicine

   

Furniture, Agriculture Instruments, wood etc.- Various containers, combs , soop, fodder, fences, camp (Pall)  roof and wall,  Hockey (Hingor) stick. In old age, bridges were made by bamboo. Musical instrument as fluet.

Food Uses – Banskil Vegetable

Decoration – Less but is used

                   Myths, Religious Importance and Traditions

  Bamboo is symbol of friendship.

 Lord Krishna had deep relation with bamboo and his name are derived from bamboo as Venugopal, Vanshidhar (due to his playing bamboo fluet).

--------------------Auspicious for making pens ------------------

Bamboo and other varieties are perceived as auspicious pens.

 ----------- Stick for Anchorite---

 Anchorites use Bamboo stick while they are travelling 

         _ Representing Punya Nakshatra---------

Bamboo is representative of Punarvasu Nakshatra in Hindu astrology.

----------------In Marriage --------------

 In Hindu marriage rituals, Bamboo Sup, Soop (सूप) is used at the time of Kanya dan by brother  and father.

 Bamboo baskets are also used in marriage ritual.

------------ Bamboo flowering year means Plague Year --------------

  It was believed that  bamboo flower after twelve years gap and flower together. In past, there was a myth that the year of bamboo flowering meant plague was on the way.

               ------------------Uses in Funeral Ceremony -------------

   Bamboo logs are compulsory used in carrying dead body to crematorium even on motor or ambulance.

  The fire (burning uple, dry cow dung) container is always put on triangle base made by bamboo.

 Bamboo log used for carrying dead body is never burnt but thrown out. Bamboo burning is perceived calling forefather’s cursing (Pitri Dosh)

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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai 2017

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Plant Myths  , Religious Importance, Traditions , Garhwal, Uttarakhand ; Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Kumaon, Uttarakhand ;Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Uttarakhand; Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Uttarakhand, Himalaya; Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Uttarakhand, North India; Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Uttarakhand, South Asia