Saviours of lives and souls
A N Yellappa Reddy, secretary, department of ecology and environment, government of Karnataka, spoke to Down To Earth about the unique sacred and medicinal plant resorts that have come up in the state. The Dhanvantarivana - named after the legendary ancient Indian surgeon - is a 11.34 hectares (ha) resort of Indian medicinal plants in Bangalore. Developed at a cost of Rs 25 lakh (excluding the cost of land), the resort harbours 670 medicinal plants. These plants, which include varieties like the Ashwagandha and the Amruthapali, have been mentioned in ayurveda and have remarkable curative powers as well as food value. So far, the farm has sold 10-12 lakh seedlings.
The Pavitravana, in Ramanagaram (Bangalore), is a 10.13 ha spread sheltering a selection of 120 plants which are sacred to various religions. Built at a cost of Rs 12 lakh (excluding the cost of the land), most of the resort's plants find mention in Hindu rituals.
In these rituals, the mantra (sacred chants) for a particular plant or flower is read holding the flowers in the folds of the palms. One of the main ingredients of ail these flowers are volatile oils. As they are held in the hands, the oil buds of the flowers get gently pressed by the palms, and the discharged oil is absorbed through the skin. This, in turn, bears an impact upon our nervous Systems through glands like the pitiutary. Taken together with the chanting of the mantras, this act of keeping the flowers in the hands is said to generate collective peace of mind.
The Pavitravana also houses a garden of Mohammed, which has some plants mentioned in the Quran Sharief. There is the date plant - sacred to Islam - and the Mimosops elengi, the latter a highly fragrant variety.
The 'Garden of Eden', still under construction, will contain plants - most of which are fruit-bearing, like the apple - mentioned in Biblical literature. Some of the more important species, which are unavailable in south India, are being sought for from other nations.