Nakshatras and Trees

Every Nakshatra is symbolically associated with a tree or plant that represents its connection to the earth. Planting and nurturing the tree associated with your Janma Nakshatra is considered extremely auspicious. It is often one of the most effective remedies for mitigating the effects of unfavorable planetary positions in the birth chart. Even today, in many rural parts of India, people continue the age-old tradition of planting 27 Nakshatra trees—one for each Nakshatra of a family member. This practice not only preserves this tradition but also contributes to restoring and maintaining the earth’s flora diversity.

Here is the list of Nakshatras and their associated trees:

1. Ashwini – Poison Nut Tree
2. Bharani – Amla Tree
3. Krittika – Cluster Fig Tree
4. Rohini – Jamun or Java Plum
5. Mrigashira – Cutch Tree
6. Ardra – Agar Wood or Krushnagus
7. Punarvasu – Bamboo
8. Pushya – Sacred Fig or Peepal
9. Ashlesha – Alexandrian Laurel or Champa
10. Magha – Banyan Tree
11. Purva Phalguni – Palash, Flame of the Forest
12. Uttara Phalguni – Rose Laurel, Juvvi Tree
13. Hasta – Hog Plum, Jaai
14. Chitra – Bilva, Golden Apple
15. Swati – Queen’s Flower, Arjun
16. Vishakha – Nagkesar or Wood Apple
17. Anuradha – Bakula, Nagkesa
18. Jyestha – Red Silk Cotton Tree
19. Mula – Salai, Black Dammar
20. Purva Ashada – Sita Ashoka
21. Uttara Ashada – Jackfruit
22. Shravana – Swallow Wort Milkweed
23. Dhanishta – Shamee or Indian Mesquite
24. Shatabhishak – Kadamba or Common Bur Flower
25. Purva Bhadrapada – Pichamanda, Mango
26. Uttara Bhadrapada – Neem or Indian Lilac
27. Revati – Indian Butter Tree or Madhuca longifolia

Why Should We Worship Trees?

Worshipping a tree instills a sense of inclusiveness within us. It represents reverence for nature, and bowing to a tree can bring numerous benefits. Planting saplings of a tree, especially within temple premises, and visiting regularly to nurture and care for them fosters a deeper connection with nature and the divine.

How to Worship a Tree?

• Offerings: One can offer whole Akshata (rice grains mixed with turmeric) and Kumkum to the tree or its root to express gratitude.
• Water and Turmeric: Offering water and turmeric to the tree is believed to bring happiness and luck to those who worship the tree of their Janma Nakshatra.
• Chanting and Meditation: Chanting hymns, practicing pranayama under the tree, and performing meditation can help expand consciousness and strengthen the connection with the Janma Nakshatra tree.
• Rituals: Regularly watering the tree, circling it 11 times, and touching it are said to fulfill desires and remove obstacles.
• Circumambulation: Routinely circumambulating the tree seven times and offering water after each round is a common practice.
• Auspicious Days: Fridays and Pournima (Full Moon) are considered auspicious for worshipping Janma Nakshatra trees to receive the maximum blessings.
• Offering Sugar: Offering sugar to the tree is recommended in scriptures, and this sugar is often consumed by insects and ants, symbolizing the nurturing of life around the tree.
• Consuming Edible Leaves: For Nakshatras associated with trees with edible leaves, like Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada, and Punarvasu (Mango, Neem, Bamboo), natives can consume a few twigs of leaves to invite good fortune.
• Wearing Flowers: Wearing flowers from the Janma Nakshatra tree in your hair makes you receptive to the tree’s blessings and divine benefits.
• Carrying Bark: Carrying a small piece of bark from the Nakshatra tree can bring luck and positivity into your life.