Many indigenous trees in India are designated as sacred trees due to their association with religion, mythology, and folklore. Some represent Hindu Gods. ‘Kadamba’ tree, for instance, is associated with Lord Krishna. Its flowers are used in temples as offerings and also in tribal festivals. The tree is a Nakshatra tree and represents ‘Satabhisha’ Nakshatra that roughly corresponds to Aquarii (a binary star system).
Its name is associated with the ‘Kadamba Dynasty’ (capital Banavasi), the first ruling Kingdom of Karnataka. It was regarded as a holy tree by the dynasty. ‘Kadambotsava’ is a spring festival that is celebrated by the Government of Karnataka at Banavasi every year, in honor of the Kadamba kingdom.
The ‘Kadamba’ flower was the emblem of Athmallik State, one of the former princely states of India. It is now part of Odisha. The tree has many medicinal values and is also a beautiful ornamental tree that has scented golden, ball-like floral heads.
About the Kadamba tree
The Kadamba tree’s scientific name is Neolamarckia cadamba. It belongs to the Rubiaceae family and is indigenous to the hotter regions of India. It has many other names too.
This large, handsome tree is capable of growing more than 10 m tall, and it has drooping branches and a spreading crown. The leaves are large and oblong. They are also thick, dark, and shiny. The tree usually flowers during the rainy season. The ball-like yellow flowers are fragrant. The round balls of fruits with seeds remain on the tree for a long time after flowering and look pretty. Birds and bats feast on the pleasantly acidic fruits.
The tree is also used in industries like timber and paper-making. Kadamba flowers are used to make ‘attar’, an Indian perfume.
Religious significance
The tree appears in Indian mythology and finds mention in the Bhagavata Purana. While it is associated with Lord Krishna in North India, in the South, it is associated with Goddess Parvathi. Supposedly, Krishna performed many divine acts or ‘lilas’ in Vrindavan under a canopy of Kadamba trees. He and his friends would play around these trees, holding the unique round flowers. Hence the Kadamba tree is also called ‘Haripriya’, God’s favorite. He is often shown playing his flute under the tree. Krishna also used to have secret trysts with his lover, Radha, in Kadambavana. Krishna would steal the clothes of the Gopikas who came to bathe in the river and hide them in the branches of this tree!
Goddess Durga, an avatar of Parvati, likes to live amidst Kadamba trees. Hence, she got the name Kadamba-vana-vasini or Kadamba-vana-nilaye. If the koel (cuckoo) sings in the Kadamba forest, it supposedly signifies her presence. The Kadamba tree is considered the ‘sthala vruksham’ in Madurai, and one can still see a withered relic of the tree that has been preserved at the famous Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. A local deity called Kadambariyamman is also associated with the tree. The place used to be a Kadamba forest once.
Kadamba Vanam was the oldest name for Madurai due to the prevalence of these trees. Even today, they can be seen in the deciduous forests in and around Madurai. Chennai, too, was once covered completely by Kadamba trees. According to mythology, a demon called Vrinda was slain by Lord Indra. As Vrinda was a brahmin, Indra was cursed, but he was told that he could free himself from the curse at the most sacred spot on earth.
Indra wandered all over the world and eventually was relieved of his curse when he passed a place where Kadamba trees grew in profusion. Lord Shiva was reclining under a huge canopy there in the form of a Linga. Later, a pucca temple came up around this forest shrine, which is in present-day Chennai.
Lord Murugan of Tirupparankundram Hill Temple near Madurai is said to be in the form of a spear under a Kadamba tree.
There are many festivities associated with the tree. A popular harvest festival, ‘Karam-Kadamba’ also called ‘Posatt’ or the ‘Koral parba’, is celebrated on the eleventh lunar day of Bhadrapada month. A twig from this tree is worshipped in the courtyard of the house. Later on, young ears of grain are given to friends and relatives. This is a Tulu custom.
Agricultural communities in West Bengal and Odisha celebrate the Kadam festival in Bhadrapada month by planting Kadam saplings ceremoniously.
Theravada Buddhists believe that the Sumedha Buddha attained enlightenment under the Kadamba tree.
The Healing Power of Kadamba trees
Kadamba trees are used in traditional medicines. Its roots are used to treat fever, bronchial issues, insect bites, muscular pain, gynecological disorders. It is also used as an aphrodisiac. The bark is used to treat rheumatic pain. Its leaves are used to treat pain, swelling, and ulcers. Leaf juice is used for jaundice. The fruit juice is used as a lactating agent.
Kadamb is a deciduous tree. It can grow up to 10m - 15m tall. The trees are found in almost all tropical regions of India, especially near streams. In Tamil, the tree is also called Neer Kadambu and Manjal Kadambu.
Considering how dear this tree was to Lord Krishna, why don’t you plant a Kadamba tree in your home or neighborhood on Krishna’s birthday or Krishna Jayanthi? Krishna Jayanthi 2021/Krishna Janmashtami 2021 is on Aug 30.
How to grow a Kadamba tree?
Kadamba trees are propagated by seed sowing. During the first year, seeds are sown in grow bags. The rainy season is ideal for this. After the seeds germinate, the seedlings must be transplanted to a permanent location during the next monsoon. A humid climate and well-drained soil help it to grow well. The tree can proliferate rapidly. It is usually planted in large groves or along roadsides. The tree is very susceptible to frost, and even fully grown trees can be killed by it.
On the blessed occasion of Krishna Jayanthi (Krishna’s birthday), AstroVed will be performing a specialized Fire Lab invoking miracle-maker Krishna to destroy poverty, fulfill desires, boost health and bring material happiness and spiritual liberation.
