Sacred groves of Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam

Sacred groves zone lay out plan

Type| Biodiversity park / educative botanical garden
Location| Rani Chandramani Devi Government Hospital, Pedda Waltair, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Coordinates| 17°43′45″N 83°20′11″E﻿ / ﻿17.7290304°N 83.3364321°E﻿ / 17.7290304; 83.3364321
Status| Open all year

The sacred groves is a zone of Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam located in the premises of Rani Chandramani Devi Government Hospital. It has more than 100 sacred plant species, which are medicinal herbs with religious importance.[1] Many sacred plants are becoming rare and endangered. Hence they are to be reared, protected, and conserved.[2] The zone was inaugurated on February 5, 2017, by Kambhampati Hari Babu, a member of parliament from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.[3]

## Sacred plant species of the park in general

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More than 300 tree species mentioned in holy books (Bhagvad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bible, Quran, Tripitaka, Zend-Avesta, Guru Granth Sahib) related to different religions (Hinduism,[4] Christianity,[5] Islam,[6] Jainism,[7] Buddhism,[8] and Sikhism)[9] are reared in different zones of the Biodiversity Park.[10] Many tree species are commonly seen in more than one religion. For example, fig (Ficus carica) is almost common to all religions. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), olive (Olea europaea), pomegranate (Punica granatum), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) are common to Christians and Muslims.[11][12] Neem (Azadirachta indica), sacred fig or peepal or bodhi (Ficus religiosa), sal (Shorea robusta), sandal wood (Santalum album), bilva (Aegle marmelos) are common to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.[13] Banyan (Ficus bengalensis) and sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) are common to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainsism, Judaism and Christianity. The maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba) is viewed as a sacred tree in all religions of China, Korea and Japan.[14][15]

Some of the notable sacred plant species of the park are: maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba), Christmas tree (Araucaria excelsa), peepal/sacred fig/aswaddha (Ficus religiosa), banyan/marri/vata (Ficus benghalensis), ashoka tree (Saraca asoca), date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), Indian cedar / devadar (Cedrus deodara), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), olive (Olea europaea), neem (Azadirachta indica), mango (Mangifera indica), kadamba (Anthocephalus cadamba), sandal wood (Santalum album), sami or jammi (Prosopis cineraria), bel, bilva or maredu (Aegle marmelos), moduga/flame of the forest (Butea monosperma), holy cross / calabash tree (Crescentia cujete), Indian lotus or padmam (Nelumbo nucifera), basilicum / tulasi (Ocimum sanctum), and rudraksha (Elaeocarpus ganitrus).[16][17][18]

## Sacred plant categories of the Sacred Grove Zone

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The Sacred Groves Zone of the Biodiversity Park contains more than 100 plants under five categories namely Ganesha vana, Nakshatra vana, Raasi vana, Saptarishi vana and Navagraha vana. The pictures are shown in the gallery. Some plants or trees are common to more than one vana or garden. For example, raavi / peepal / sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) is common to Ganesha vana, Raasi vana, Saptarishi vana and Nakshtra vana. Similarly sandra / chandra / kachu (Acacia catechu) is common to Nakshatra vana, Navagraha vana and Raasi vana. Samee / jemmi (Prosopis cineraria) / (Prosopis spicigera) is common to Ganesha vana, Nakshatra vana, Navagraha vana and Raasi vana. Bilva / maredu / bael (Aegle marmelos) is common to Ganesha vana, Nakshatra vana and Saptarishi vana.

### Ganesha vana – Ganesha garden with 21 plants

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This consists of 21 leaves (Aeakavimshathi patraha) of 21 plant species connected with the worship of Lord Ganesha.[19]

This might also be the same as the Siddhivinayak Mandala Vaatika, where the garden is designed as per sacred geometry dedicated to SiddhiVinayak, another name for Lord Ganesha.

A Mandala Vaatika, simply put, is a garden that is structured like a Mandala (i.e. in a circular geometric designs). However, in Vedic times, these gardens were created as per very specific mathematical calculations, patterns and measurements. Each deity and planet has their own unique Mandala geometry. These gardens were treated as sacred groves where one could meditate and experience the vibrations of these deities.

So, in ancient India one could meditate in a Rudra Mandala Vaatika, a Durga Mandala Vaatika, a Murugan Mandala Vaatika, a Varamahalakshmi Mandala Vaatika or even a Saptarishi Mandala Vaatika dedicated to the 7 most revered sages.

S.no | Sanskrit name of the leaf | Common name of the tree | Botanical name | Family

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1 | Machee patraha | Masapatri | Artemisia vulgaris | Asteraceae
2 | Brihatee patraha | a. nela munaga / mulla vankayi b. vakudu | a. Solanum surattense / Solanum xanthocarpum b. Carissa carandas | a. Solanaceae b. Apocynaceae
3 | Bilva patraha | Bilva / maredu / bael | Aegle marmelos | Rutaceae
4 | Doorvaru yugmaha | Garika | Cynodon dactylon | Poaceae
5 | Datura patraha | Datura / ummetta | Datura metel | Solanaceae
6 | Badari patraha | a. regu / Indian jujube b. Chinese jujube | a. Ziziphus mauritiana b. Ziziphus jujuba | Rhamnaceae
7 | Apamarga patrah | Uttareni | Achyranthes aspera | Amaranthaceae
8 | Tulasi patraha | Tulasi / sacred basil | Ocimum sanctum / Ocimum tenuiflorum | Lamiaceae
9 | Choota patraha | Mamidi / mango | Mangifera indica | Anacardiaceae
10 | Karaveera patraha | a. yerra ganneru / oleander b. pachha ganneru / yellow oleander | a. Nerium indicum b. Thevetia peruviana | a. Apocynaceae b. Apocynaceae
11 | Vishnukranta patraha | Vishnukranta | Evolvulus alsinoides | Convolvulaceae
12 | Dadimee patraha | Pomegranate / danimma | Punica granatum | Punicaceae
13 | Devadaru patraha | a. devadaru b. pine c. local devadaru / pagadamu chettu / red cedar | a. Cedrus deodara b. Pinus roxburghii c. Erythroxylum monogynum | a. Pinaceae b. Pinaceae c. Linaceae
14 | Maruvaka patraha | Maruvamu | Origanum vulgare | Lamiaceae
15 | Sindhuvara patraha | Vavili | Vitex negundo | Verbenaceae
16 | Jajee patraha | Jaji / sanna jaji | Jasminum grandiflorum | Oleaceae
17 | Gandaki patraha | a. sita phalam b. devakanchanamu | a. Annona squamosa b. Bauhinia acuminata | a. Annonaceae b. Fabaceae
18 | Samee patraha | Samee / jemmi | Prosopis cineraria / Prosopis spicigera | Fabaceae
19 | Aswaddha patraha | Raavi / peepal / sacred fig | Ficus religiosa | Moraceae
20 | Arjuna patraha | Arjuna / tella maddi | Terminalia arjuna | Combretaceae
21 | Arca patraha | Tella jilledu / swetarca | Calotropis procera / Calotropis gigantea | Asclepiadaceae / Apocynaceae

### Nakshatra vana - garden with plants for 27 stars

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The nakshatra vana comprises plant species connected with the 27 stars or star constellations of Indian astrology.[20][21][22]

S.no | Name of the nakshatra / star | Common name of the tree | Botanical name | Family

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1 | Ashwini | a. mushidi / vishamusthi b. jeedimamidi / cashewnut | a. Strychnos nux-vomica b. Anacardium occidentale | a. Loganiaceae b. Anacardiaceae
2 | Bharani | Konda vusiri / amla / Indian gooseberry | Phyllanthus emblica | Euphorbiaceae
3 | Krittika | Athi / medi / udumbara | Ficus glomerata / Ficus racemosa | Moraceae
4 | Rohini | Neredu / jamun | Eugenia jambolana / Syzygium cuminii | Myrtaceae
5 | Mrigashira | Kachu / sandra / chandra/ khair | Acacia catechu | Mimosaceae
6 | Aarudra | Tumiki chettu / beedi aaku | Diospyros melanoxylon | Ebenaceae
7 | Punarvasu | Golden bamboo / painted bamboo | Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata' | Poaceae
8 | Pushyami | Raavi / aswaddha / pipal / sacred fig | Ficus religiosa | Poaceae
9 | Aashlesha | Ponna / laurel wood | Calophyllum inophyllum | Clusiaceae
10 | Magha | Marri / vata / banyan tree / Indian fig | Ficus benghalensis | Moraceae
11 | Pubba | Moduga / flame of the forest | Butea monosperma | Fabaceae
12 | Uttara | a. karaveera / ganneru b. juvvi | a. Nerium indicum b. Ficus virens | a. Apocynaceae b. Moraceae
13 | Hasta | a. tella tumma b. adavi mamidi / hog plum c. jaji / sanna jaji | a. Acacia leucophloea b. Spondias pinnata c. Jasminum grandiflorum | a. Mimosaceae b. Anacardiaceae c. Oleaceae
14 | Chitra / Chitta | Maredu / beal / bilwa / | Aegle marmelos | Rutaceae
15 | Swathi | Tella maddi / arjun | Terminalia arjuna | Combretaceae
16 | Visakha | a. velaga / stone apple / wood apple b. naga keshar / cobra saffron | a. Feronia elephantum / Limonia acidissima b. Mesua ferrea | a. Rutaceae b. Caryophyllaceae
17 | Anuradha | a. bogada b. naagkeshar / cobra saffron | a. Mimusops elengi b. Mesua ferrea | a. Sapotaceae b. Caryophyllaceae
18 | Jyeshtha | a. devadaru b. pine c. barnika d. local devadaru / pagadamu chettu / red cedar | a. Cedrus deodara b. Pinus roxburghii c. Streblus asper d. Erythroxylum monogynum | a. Pinaceae b. Pinaceae c. Moraceae d. Linaceae
19 | Moola | a. dhoop / sambrani b. sal / guggilam c. anjan / aepi | a. Boswellia serrata b. Shorea talura / Shorea roxburghii c. Hardwickia binata | a. Burseraceae b. Dipterocarpaceae c. Fabaceae
20 | Purvashada | a. jammi / samee b. ashoka | a. Prosopis cineraria / Prosopis spicigera b. Saraca asoca | a. Fabaceae b. Fabaceae
21 | Uttarashada | Jack fruit / panasa | Artocarpus heterophyllus | Moraceae
22 | Sravanam | Swetarka / tella jilledu | Calotropis procera / Calotropis gigantea | Asclepiadaceae / Apocynaceae
23 | Dhanishta | a. munaga / drumstick b. anasandra | a. Moringa oleifera b. Acacia ferruginea | a. Moringaceae b. Fabaceae
24 | Satabisha | Kadambam | Anthocephalus cadamba / Neolamarckia cadamba | Rubiaceae
25 | Purvabhadra | a. neem / vepa / margosa b. nalla maddi | a. Azadirachta indica b. Terminalia elliptica / Terminalia tomentosa | a. Meliaceae b. Combretaceae
26 | Uttarabhadra | a. neem / vepa / margosa b. mango / mamidi | a. Azadirachta indica b. Mangifera indica | a. Meliaceae b. Anacardiaceae
27 | Revathi | Ippa / mohua / butter tree | Madhuca longifolia / Madhuca indica | Sapotaceae

### Raasi vana - garden with plants for 12 zodiac signs

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This comprises plant species connected with the 12 signs in the zodiac system.[23]

S.no | Name of the raasi / zodiac sign | Common name of the tree | Botanical name | Family

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1 | Mesha / Aries | Red sandars / rakta chandanam / erra chandanam | Pterocarpus santalinus | Fabaceae
2 | Vrishabha / Taurus | Aedakulapala / saptaparni | Alstonia scholaris | Apocynaceae
3 | Midhuna / Gemini | a. jack fruit / panasa b. ankudu | a. Artocarpus heterophyllus b. Wrightia tinctoria | a. Moraceae b. Apocynaceae
4 | Karkataka / Cancer | Moduga / flame of the forest | Butea monosperma | Fabaceae
5 | Simha / Leo | a. padaari / b. Chinese jujube c. regu / Indian jujube | a. Stereospermum colais / Stereospermum tetragonum b. Ziziphus jujuba c. Ziziphus mauritiana | a. Bignoniaceae b. Rhamnaceae c. Rhamnaceae
6 | Kanya / Virgo | Mango / mamidi | Mangifera indica | Anacardiaceae
7 | Tula / Libra | Bakul / bogada | Mimusops elengi | Sapotaceae
8 | Vrishchika / Scorpion | Sandra / chandra / kachu | Acacia catechu | Mimosaceae
9 | Dhanus / Sagittarius | Raavi / aswaddha / peepal | Ficus religiosa | Moraceae
10 | Makara / Capricorn | Sissoo / north Indian rose wood | Dalbergia sissoo | Fabaceae
11 | Kumbha / Aquarius | Jammi / samee | Prosopis cineraria / Prosopis spicigera | Mimosaceae
12 | Meena / Pisces | Marri / vata / banyan tree / Indian fig | Ficus benghalensis | Moraceae

### Saptarishi vana - garden of plants for seven great Indian sages

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This comprises plant species connected with seven great Indian sages or rishis.[24]

S.no | Name of the rishi / sage | Common name of the tree | Botanical name | Family

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1 | Vasistha | a. anasandra b. tulasi | a. Acacia ferruginea b. Ocimum sanctum / Ocimum tenuiflorum | a. Mimosaceae b. Lamiaceae
2 | Athri | a. avisi b. kaluva | a. Sesbania grandiflora b. Nymphaea nouchali | a. Fabaceae b. Nymphaeaceae
3 | Gouthama | a. ummetta b. sanna jaji / star jasmine | a. Datura metel b. Jasminum pubescens / Jasminum multiflorum | a. Solanaceae b. Oleaceae
4 | Kashyapa | Tulasi | Ocimum sanctum / Ocimum tenuiflorum | Lamiaceae
5 | Bharadwaja | a. uttareni b. poka chekka / betel nut | a. Achyranthes aspera b. Areca catechu | a. Amaranthaceae b. Arecaceae
6 | Jamadagni | a. garika b. wild jasmine/adavi malli | a. Cynodon dactylon b. Jasminum angustifolium | a. Poaceae b. Oleaceae
7 | Vishwamithra | a. maredu / bilva b. sugandhipala / nannari | a. Aegle marmelos b. Hemidesmus indicus | a. Rutaceae b. Apocynaceae

### Navagraha vana - garden with plants for nine planets

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This comprises nine plant species connected with nine planets or celestial bodies.[25]

S.no | Name of the graha / planet | Common name of the tree | Botanical name | Family

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1 | Budha / Mercury | Uttareni | Achyranthes aspera | Amaranthaceae
2 | Sukra / Venus | Athi / medi / udumbara | Ficus glomerata / Ficus racemosa | Moraceae
3 | Chandra / Moon | Moduga / flame of the forest | Butea monosperma | Fabaceae
4 | Guru / Jupiter | Raavi / aswaddha / pipal / sacred fig | Ficus religiosa | Poaceae
5 | Kuja / Mars / Mangala | Kachu / sandra / chandra/ khair | Acacia catechu | Mimosaceae
6 | Surya / Sun | Swetarka / tella jilledu | Calotropis procera / Calotropis gigantea | Asclepiadaceae / Apocynaceae
7 | Kethu / South Lunar Node | Dharba gaddi | Imperata cylindrica | Poaceae
8 | Sani / Saturn | Jammi / samee | Prosopis cineraria / Prosopis spicigera | Fabaceae
9 | Rahu / North Lunar Node | Garika | Cynodon dactylon | Poaceae

## Gallery

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Some notable sacred plant species:

* Sacred groves views (1), Biodiversity park, Visakhapatnam

## See also

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* Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam
* Dolphin Nature Conservation Society

## References

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1. ^ "Sacred groves inaugurated at hospital biodiversity park visakhapatnam". Times of India. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
2. ^ "DNCS Biodiversity park". Yo Vizag. 25 March 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
3. ^ "sacred grove inaugurated at biodiversity visakhapatnam". The Hindu. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
4. ^ "trees-religion-hinduism-". wordpress. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
5. ^ "trees-religion-christianity-". wordpress. 9 October 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
6. ^ "trees-religion-Islam-". wordpress. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
7. ^ "trees-religion-Jainism-". wordpress. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
8. ^ "trees-religion-Buddhism-" (PDF). basanta bidari4. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
9. ^ "'Oasis of trees' to nurture Guru's legacy". the tribune. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
10. ^ "Generation Y to conserve biodiversity-sections of biodiversity park". timesofindia. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
11. ^ "trees-in-koran-and-bible". fao org. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
12. ^ plants of bible and quran musselman. timber press. 1 November 2017. ISBN 978-0881928556.
13. ^ "trees in indian mythology" (PDF). Discovery. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
14. ^ "buddhists monks in china and japan propagation". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
15. ^ "in the kingdom of plants-rare species Ginkgo biloba-of biodiversity park". thehindu. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
16. ^ "sacred trees worship in india". Discovery. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
17. ^ "iconic tree around the world". 28 August 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
18. ^ "groves of trees beauty and plenty". Macmillon. 1 March 2013. OCLC 52929510.
19. ^ "aurveda 21 leaves Ganesh worship". Retrieved 15 May 2020.
20. ^ "Nakshatra and Raasi vana". Deccan Herald. 4 August 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
21. ^ "Nakshtra vanam dedicated". thehindu. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
22. ^ "divine trees hinduism nature". thehindu. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
23. ^ "raasi plants vedic". Retrieved 16 May 2020.
24. ^ "saptarishi plants vedic". Retrieved 16 May 2020.
25. ^ "navagraha plants". Retrieved 16 May 2020.