International Journal of Scientific Research and Review ISSN NO: 2279-543X

A Survey on Stala Virutcham and conservation of Medicinal plants in the temples of , Southern

*V.Manimozhi

Associate Professor,Department of plant and Biologyand plant Biotechnology,Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai 600 008, Tamilnadu,India

Abstract

Tamil Nadu a southern state of India is adored for its rich cultural heritage. One of the

cultural practices that is unique to temples of Tamil Nadu is the worship of plants. These

sacred plants - stala virutcham are managed by temple authorities. Stalam refers to the place of

worship and virutcham means a tree or a plant. This practice of worshiping trees as an act of faith

on Lord Shiva has contributed to proper maintenance and preservation of various species of herbs,

shrubs and trees. This practice has protected plants from various adverse environmental conditions

and human made threats vis-a-vis – urbanisation, commercial exploitation, and industrialisation.

This religious practice paved way for conservation of medicinal plants and plants of cultural

significance. The stala virutcham Mangifera indica of Yegambareshwarar temple in

Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India is known to have survived for more than 3000 years. Aegle

marmelos, Ficus religiosa, Azadirachta indica and many plants worshipped as Stala virutcham in

Shiva temples are all medicinal plants with pharmaceutical potentials :-

The present paper reviews the stala virutcham of Lord Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu and

studies the medicinal properties.

Keywords: Stala virutcham – Temples of Tamil Nadu – conservation of medicinal plant and

medicinal properties.

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Introduction

Various ethnic groups of India have preserved and protected several forest patches and even individual trees or animals due to their traditional belief and respect for nature (Tripathi, 2001). Sthala Vruksam is a practice of growing and maintaining trees in Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu, India. The major aim of this practice is to protect and conserve medicinal plants. Sacred groves with all types of vegetation ensure conservation of floras. These temples are restricted areas from biotic interference and commercial exploitation. References from Indian literary works, data from history, folk tradition, traditional knowledge, evidences from epigraphical records and copper plates are the standing proof for the above practice. Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) is one of the state department that controls about 36425 temples in Tamil Nadu. Lord Shiva temples are around 1008 and among these, Pancha Bootha Sthalangal are five, Pancha Sabai Sthalangal are five, Sthalangal are 9 and Paadal Petra Sthalangal are approximately 275.

A survey by international union for conservation of nature and natural Resources (ICUN) has estimated that out of 18,000 to 20,000 species of flowering plants in India, about 1000 species falls under conservation category. According to Jain (1987) out of about 15,000 species of Indian flowering plants, nearly 2500 species are under various degrees of threat. However, religion and religious values of Hindu have a major role in persuading constant efforts in protecting and managing the plants in temples and their vanity for more than 3000 years. The main idea behind the establishment of Sthala Vriksam, Nandavanas and dedication of sacred groves are ensured in planting, maintaining, protecting and conserving plant species for posterity. All these became evidence for the people’s knowledge on the holistic importance of plants in purifying the temple’s atmosphere and devotees’ health (Prabakaran and Sabari , 2017). In the present survey, the Sthala Vruksam of Shiva temples located in the state of Tamil Nadu, southern India, particularly, Pancha Bootha, Pancha Sabai and Navagraha Sthalangal was carried out and documented to ensure awareness on the traditionally important plants.

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Methodology

The survey of Sthala Vrikshas was conducted in about 19 temples of Lord Shiva located in Tamil Nadu, southern India including Pancha Bootha Sthalangal, Pancha Sabai Sthalangal, Navagraha Sthalangal. Devotees and temple authorities serve as protectors of the Sthalavrikshas. The Sthala Vruksha plants in subsequent temples and their medicinal values were documented by periodic personal interviews with temple priests, elderly people of the area, direct observations and with previous literature survey on the aspects of pharmaceutical potency (Singh and Kushwaha, 2005; Indian Medicinal plants, 2010; Thirukoiylgal Vazhikaati, 2014). The plant specimens were collected, identified and the herbarium specimens of the plant species were deposited at the Department Herbarium Centre for further use.

Results and Discussions

The Sacred groves play an important role in ensuring smooth ecosystem services such as clean environment, air, soil, and water conservation, flora and fauna conservation, carbon sequestration, temperature control, and conservation of traditional knowledge (Ray and Ramachandra, 2010). Sacred groves serve as a home for several birds and mammals and henceforth they indirectly help in the conservation of biodiversity (Kandari et al., 2014). In addition, our old believes are also always leaning on Science that the magnetic field created by both peepal and neem trees along with pure oxygen influenced the body organs and stimulated FSH/LH hormones which enhance the reproductive process (Sthalavriksham-Temple, 2014). Therefore a holistic understanding of the current status, structure and functional role of sacred grove is essentially important for assessing the ecological role, their benefits and formulating strategies for conservation. According to Malhotra, (1998) about 4215 sacred groves covering an area of 39063 hectares are estimated to be distributed in India mainly engaged in conserving plant species for posterity.

Pancha Bootha Sthalangal :- These temples represent the five elements of nature, namely , Water, Air, Fire and Space. In , Lord Shiva is said to have manifested in five forms of elements located in South India (4 temples are in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh).

Pancha Sabhai Sthalangal : These are the temples of Lord Shiva, where cosmic dance was performed by Lord Shiva. All the Pancha Sabhai temples are located in Tamil Nadu, India.

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Navagraha Temples: In Tamil Nadu, the nine planetary deities are worshiped in where Lord Siva is the presiding deity. All these temples are located in Tamil Nadu, India.

Disappearance of species due to alteration in habitat, over exploitation, pollution, global climate change and invasion of exotic species is innumerable that many valuable taxa may vanish even before identification and scientific validation. The plant species are stated as Sthalavrukshas those are specific to particular temple and the devotees has been worshiping the plants as deity and the deity of the temple. Thus, traditional nature worship practices are followed in different parts of world do contribute for the promotion of regional/national goals in the conservation of biodiversity (Khan et al., 2001).

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Table 1: Sthala Vruksham in the temples of Southern India and their medicinal significance

Sl. No. Binomial & Family Parts used Preparation Therapeutic uses Sthala Vruksham Location

Pancha Bhootha Sthalangal and Vruksham

1. Mangifera indica Barks, leaves, Decoction, extract, It is used for the treatment of asthma, diarrhoea, Anacardiaceae flowers, fruits and infusion, juice, pills dysentery, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, scabies and Ekambareswarar Temple Kernels. and powder throat infections and possess anthelmintic, Kancheepuram antiscorbutic, astringent, laxative and diuretic properties.

2. Syzygium cumini Bark, leaves, fruits Decoction, juice, paste As antidiabetic, astringent, carminative, diuretic and Myrtaceae and dried seeds and powder stomachic. It is beneficial for the treatment of Jambhukeshwarar temple diarrhoea, dysentery, relieves thirst, spleen Thiruvanaikaaval enlargement and applied over inflammation.

3. Aegle marmelos Root bark, leaves, Decoction, extract, Anti-pyretic, anti-scorbutic, astringent, carminative Rutaceae flowers and fruits juice, poultice and and digestive, cures amoebic and bacterial dysentery,

Srikalahasteeswarar powder dyspepsia, gonorrhea, intermiltent fever and jaundice. Temple Srikalahasti 4. Mimusops elengii Bark, flower, fruit Decoction, infusion, It exerts astringent, febrifuge, purgative and stimulant Sapotaceae and seeds oil, paste and powder properties. Decoction or infusion of the bark

Arunachaleswarar

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temple strengthens the gum and teeth. Bark powder is sniffed Tiruvannamalai to relieve head ache. Fruits are used for the treatment of diarrhea and snake bite.

5. Exoecaria agallocha Root, stem and Decoction and juice Used as an antidote, aphrodisiac, purgative and tonic. Euphorbiaceae leaf It is used for the treatment of epilepsy, ulcers, leprous

Thillai Natarajar temple sores and for snake poison. Chidambaram Panchasabai Sthalangal and Vruksham

6. Ficus benghalensis Young barks, Decoction, infusion, Exhibit astringent, cooling and diuretic effect. Bark Moraceae buds, fruits and juice and poultice decoction is used for the treatment of leucorrhoea and

Vadaranyeswarar seeds its infusion as well as buds are used to cure diabetes, temple dysentery and gonorrhoea. Leaf decoction is Thiruvalangadu diaphoretic & its poultice is applied to wounds. Fruit juice is used to cure diarrhea and dysentery.

7. Exoecaria agallocha Root, Stem and Decoction, paste Decoction is given in epilepsy. The drug is a remedy Euphorbiacea leaves for snake poison. The paste is applied to leprous

Natarajar Temple sores. Root is an aphrodisiac tonic. Chidambaram 8. Anthocephalus Bark, leaves & Decoction & juice The bark is astringent, febrifuge & tonic. Bark juice cadamba fruit is used to cure inflammation of the eyes & its Rubiaceae decoction is used to treat fever. Leaf decoction is Meenakshi Amman used as a gargle while the fruit juice is used for Temple

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Madurai gastric irritability. Seeds are used as antidote for snake bite.

9. Bambura arundinacea Root, stem, leaves Decoction, poultice Possess anthelmintic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, Poaceae and seeds and powder astringent, emmenagogue, febrifuge and stimulant

Nellaiyappar Temple effect. Leaf decoction is used to treat leprosy and Tirunelveli fever. Shoot poultice is anthelmintic. Powder is an alternative for phthisis.

10. Artocarpus Root, leaves, fruits decoction, juice, Root decoction is given during diarrhoea. Milky integrifolia and seeds roasted seeds juice of the plant is applied externally for glandular Moracea swellings. Kutralamathar temple Courtralam Navagraha Sthalangal and Vruksham

Calotropis procera Root, Root bark, Juice, Powder & Root with black pepper is an antidote for snake Asclepiadaceae Tincture poison. Flowers are used to treat cholera. The milky 11. leaves and flowers Suryanar Temple juice is a blistering agent. Root powder is used for Aaduthurai bronchitis and dysentery.

12. Musa paradisiac Stem, leaves & Dried flower, infusion, Fresh ripe fruits are emollient, laxative, and Musaceae fruits juice stimulant. Unripe plantain is astringent and

Kailasanathar temple antiscorbutic, used as a vegetable. Dried flower is Thingalur used for dyspepsia, flatulence and acidity. Root juice

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checks haemorrhage. While stem juice is given for otalgia and haemoptysis. Juice of the flower is used to treat dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia.

13. Azadirachta indica All parts of the Infusion, paste, Bark powder is effective in chronic diarrhoea, Meliaceae tree powder, soup, Thailam constipation and hematuria. Infusion of the leaves is

Vaitheeswaran used to wash wounds. Leaf paste is applied on the Temple eruptions of chickenpox and mumps, Bark thailam Vaitheeswaran kovil cures rheumatic pain.

14. Ficus benghalensis Young barks, Decoction, infusion, Possess astringent, diuretic and as tonic. Bark Moraceae buds, fruits and juice and poultice decoction is used as leucorrhoea and its infusion as

Swetharanyeswarar seeds well as buds are used for the treatment of diabetes, temple dysentery and gonorrhoea. Leaf poultice is applied to Thiruvenkaadu wounds. Fruit juice cures eye problems, diarrhoea, dysentery.

15. Aerva lanata whole plant Decoction, extract and The herb possess anthelmintic, diuretic and Amarantaceae paste lithontriptic properties. It is astringent, emollient and Aaapatsahayeswarar suppurative used to treat boils, cephalagia, cough and temple Aalangudi strangury. Leaf extract, paste and decoction are used in calculi.

16. Thespesia populnea Root, bark, leaf, Decoction, juice, oil, Root is used as a tonic. Decoction of the bark is given

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Malvaceae flower and fruit paste, poultice as depurative in dysentery. Leaf juice is applied for Agneeswarar temple inflammatory swellings. Bark boiled with coconut oil Kanjanur is used to cure skin diseases. Paste of the flower is used during scabies. Poultice of the leaf is applied for painful joints.

17. Desmostachya Whole plant Decoction The grass is astringent & diuretic in action. It is used bipinnata for to treat dysentery, menorrhagia, asthma, jaundice, Poaceae and bilious complaints. The culms are beneficial for Dharbaranyeswaran asthma, dysentery, jaundice, menorrhagia, skin temple Thirunallaru eruption & strangury.

18. Michelia champeca Root, bark, leaves, Decoction, infusion, Decoction or infusion of flower is used in dyspepsia Magnoliaceae flowers and fruits juice, oil, powder and renal disease. Leaf juice with honey is given for Naganathaswamy colic. Seed oil relieves flatulence. Powder of the bark temple Thirunageswaram is beneficial during intermittent fevers.

19. Bambura arundinacea Roots, young Decoction, juice, Young leaves and buds when made into decoction are Poaceae shoots, leaves and pickles, poultice and used as emmenogogue. Juice is a vermifuge. Pickles

Naganathaswamy seeds powder promote appetite and digestion. Young shoot poultice temple is used to cure ulcers. Powder is an alternative for Keezhperumpallam phthisis.

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Nowadays, the medicinal properties of these plant species were explored and were proved to possess multitude dimensional effects as reported by numerous earlier scientific researchers. Based on the present findings, it was evident that the plant species, Exoecaria agallocha, Ficus benghalensis and Bambura arundinacea were more specific and were present in more than one Sthalam. They exhibit synergistic effect when used as medicaments for the treatment of dreadful diseases. They are prescribed as powders, decoctions, juice, infusions, extract and paste and are used either alone or in combinations as polyherbal drugs. However they were replaced with the saplings of the same species soon after the plant dies (Gunasekaran and Balasubramanian, 2012). The role of the people for the conservation of medicinal plant is an age old practice since historic period. This traditional and religious method of ex situ conservation is rather surprising to understand the efforts and in depth knowledge of our ancestor in environmental related issues and the conservation strategies of medicinal plants in the temple campus. Therefore to conclude, the concept of the Sthala Vruksham is one of the pioneer efforts of our ancestor to conserve medicinal plants in temple campus and it is noteworthy to state that Sthala Vruksham is one of the conservation approach that have achieved great attention in recent past with the domain role of protecting and managing biodiversity.

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