Myths and Religious Uses of Arandi, Castor in Uttarakhand

Plant Myths, Religious Importance, and Traditions in Uttarakhand (Himalaya) - 28

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

Botanical name –  Ricinus communis

Local Name – Arandi

Hindi Name – Arandi

                                           ---Economic benefits –--

Medical uses- Various parts are used in manufacturing medicines for Constipation, lever diseases, bacterial diseases

Many local medicinal uses

Used as insecticides for killing leaches

Food Uses – Food and rearing for larvae of silkworm and muga

 Seeds are used for making beads of neckless

In old days, as lubricating oil for automobiles

                   Myths, Religious Uses and Traditions

          Castor uses for Pacifying, Pleasing  Shukra Graha

-

  Astrologers suggest using Castor (arandi) for rituals for pleasing or pacifying Shukra Graha.

  The roots are tied with other herbs in a very small white bag (emblem) and tied on upper  hands on Bharani nakshatra. Astrologers also suggest for castor oil  (emerged by putting castor seed dust on boiling water  ) on forehead by effected by Shukra

        Castor Use in Bhairav Tantra

    Tantrik suggest putting Poye (Puri cooked in mustard oil), Ak etc on leave plate of castor and put those on a crossroad on Saturday mid night for escaping bad luck.

       Bagai Dadi Regar Regar (De Sharpening of Tiger teeth) Ritual in Garhwal

       In old age, people used castor seeds for a ritual for protecting Tiger killing animals. People believed that the ritual de-sharpen the teeth of tigers. On Deepawali evening or on Tulsi Vivah evening (Igas), people used to put a couple of castor seeds and many times small stones and used to call “Bagai dadi regad , regad बागे  दाड़ी रेगड़, regad बागे  दाड़ी रेगड़

 Now that ritual performance is totally unseen in Garhwal.

-

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai 2017

-

Plant Myths  , Religious Plants, 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, Religious Plants Garhwal, Religious Plants Kumaon, Religious Plants Dehradun , Religious Plant Haridwar .वनस्पति ज्योतिष , वनस्पति तंत्र, वनस्पति मंत्र