Favorite Flowers of Lord Ganesha

People worship the benevolent Ganesha in many ways. One of these is offering flowers to him or decorating Ganesha idols or pictures with flower garlands.

Here, let us learn briefly about Ganesha’s favorite flowers and the blessings they can bring to devotees.  

Arka or Erukku Flower is believed to be a great favorite of Ganesha. It is also called milkweed in English. On Ganesha Chaturthi, devotees commonly adorn Ganesha images with a garland made of Arka flowers, a tradition that dates back to ancient times. Devotees use not only this plant’s flowers but also its leaves in Shiva and Ganesha worship. According to beliefs, offering these flowers to Ganesha and praying to him can help cure ailments.     

Punnai or Punnaga Flower has much religious significance. It is also called Sultan Champa. The sacred text Lalita Sahasranama speaks highly about the flower’s greatness. Punnai flowers are regarded as auspicious offerings to Ganesha. According to beliefs, they can earn the Lord’s blessings for relieving illnesses.      

Magizham Poo, or Vakula, called Spanish Cherry in English, is a flower with a sweet fragrance. People used to string these flowers as garlands and wear them on Divine images. Adorning Ganesha idols or pictures with Magizham Poo (flowers) can help devotees get peace of mind.   

Hibiscus is one of Ganesha’s favorite flowers. It is well-known in Tamil as Sembaruthi and is called Japasusuma in Sanskrit. The common species is red in color with large petals. People believe offering hibiscus, which carries much medicinal value, can please Ganesha, help eliminate enmities, and bestow all-around prosperity.  

Ancient texts associate the Kadambam Flower with Goddess Parvati. Burflower (tree) and Leichhardt pine are its common English names. These are sweet-smelling yellow or orange flowers found in dense sphere-shaped clusters. These flowers are also regarded as propitious for offering to Ganesha and can bless devotees with talents and skills. 

Parijatham, or Pavazhamalli, is a famous flower with a distinct fragrance. This small flower grows in trees. It has a red stem and white petals and looks like jasmine, so it is called Pavazha Malli or Coral Jasmine. This unique flower blooms only at night; hence, it is christened as ‘the queen of the night.’ While decorating Divine images with Parijatham is common, offering this little flower with devotion to Ganesha can enable children to generally do well in life and shine in this sphere of activity.     

Jadhi Malli, known in English as Spanish Jasmine or Winter Jasmine, are small, ornamental flowers with a strong scent. Offering these attractive flowers to Ganesha is believed to bring warring couples closer, end discords between partners, and help them lead harmonious lives.    

Mullai belongs to the jasmine family of flowers. It is also called Nithya Mullai or Kundha. The common name Spanish Jasmine is also used for this flower, which grows throughout the Year. Adorning Ganesha with these flowers and praying to him sincerely can help unite separated family members and resolve court cases.      

Arali, or Karaveera, is the oleander flower. It can grow in three colors: pink, red, or white. Worshiping Ganesha and offering these flowers to him can help devotees triumph over enemies, pass examinations successfully, and earn profits in business.    

Javandhi, or Sevvandhi, known as Sauganthika in Sanskrit, is a flower that grows throughout the Year. It belongs to the family of Chrysanthemums and has attractive colors and a pleasing fragrance. This flower can earn Ganesha’s protection and blessings, safeguard against evil energies, and clear the effects of evil eye and black magic.   

Water lily or Red Water lily is called Kalhaara and Neerambal in Tamil. This flower, from an aquatic plant, is believed to bestow auspiciousness and is hence used in all Poojas. Offering this flower to Ganesha with reverence can bless devotees with a comfortable life and luxury.    

Marigold Flowers are widely used for religious activities, to adorn deities, and in decorations. This bright yellow, attractive flower goes by the name Samandhi in Tamil. Marigold Flower offering to Ganesha can cure even chronic illnesses and grant good health to devotees.   

Champak, called Shenbagam in Tamil, is a sweet-smelling yellow flower. Scriptures have many references to it. While Krishna is said to be fond of it, Champak is used generously in Devi worship. Adorning Ganesha with this flower or submitting it to him with humility and devotion can help unite with the beloved or marry the person of choice.

Datura is more a weed or wild plant than a flower. It is known as Umathai in Tamil. Though the species is poisonous, it is also valued for its therapeutic qualities. Offering this plant or flower, which grows freely in many places, to Ganesha can help protect against slander, curses, and a loss of reputation.

Sangu Pushpam, also known as Aparajitha in Sanskrit, is the conch flower. It is believed to possess many healing and spiritual properties. Offering Sangu Pushpam to Ganesha can help devotees receive his blessings for early marriage.   

Durva Grass: As the name suggests, it is only a grass, not a flower. However, it remains a very Sacred offering to Ganesha. We can even say that the Ganesha worship is incomplete without offering him this simple blade of grass with prayers. Called Scutch Grass in English and Arugam Pull in Tamil, its offering can invoke Ganesha’s abundant grace and beneficial blessings.