Flower Cursed For Worship: The Pandanus

Pandanus ordoratissimus

A Small shrub native to South Asia, India,Andaman and known  by several names like Screw pine, Screw tree, Fragrant Screw pine, Umbrella tree.
Its like a palm and the trunk of the plant is supported by roots which form a pyramidal tract.

They are dioecious plants producing male and female flowers on separate plants. The flowers are long ad white in color.

The male flowers are fragrant and female flowers produces fruits similar to pineapple.
Initially, they are green then changes to red as it matures.

                                        

• The flower has a sweet fruity odor that it is used in making perfumes and the scent is  powerful  even when dried.
• The male flowers are used and in making the distillate called Kewra water.

• The pandan is used in handcrafts like leaves are used for making mats and pandan ropes,bags.

 

• Leaves used to add aroma to dishes.
• Flowers used to flavor drinks and desserts.

Now story time ,

According to Puranas,  this Ketaki flower is not taken for worship in any temple bcoz it is cursed by Lord Shiva. One day , the Lord Vishnu ad Brahma had an argument on who is more  supreme. Now  Lord Shiva (the angry man) appeared in the form of a huge pillar of light and said , it will be settled by the one who found the end of this pillar. So Vishnu set off for the base and Brahma upwards. Lord Vishnu was unable to find the limit and admitted the defeat. But Brahma on his way up came across our Ketaki flower and Brahma  on inquiring, she said that she had been placed at the top of the pillar. Now the Bhrama ran his brain ,he took the flower back to Lord Shiva and told that he found the top of the pillar.This made Shiva angry and he punished Brahma the creator for lying and was banned from being worshiped.  Now for our Ketaki she was cursed that she would never be used again for worshiping or in any temple  for giving false witnesses.