People of India shows their respect to nature by worshiping various plants, animals, stones, mountains, and rivers. Hinduism is known as a culture of " Gau, Ganga, and Tulsi ". Gau means Cow; Ganga is a river and Tulsi is a herb plant. Yoga and Ayurveda are totally based on nature; which connect human with nature. There are many festivals related to various plants and trees such as - 1. Vat savitri festival or Vat purnima is related to Banyan tree. Married Hindu ladies worship the Banyan tree for a long and happy married life. 2. Peepal purnima is related to Peepal tree. The Pineal gland’s secretions of humans make their brains alert and alive. The chemical found in this secretion is also found in the Pipals’ juice according to scientists and hence it is called the Bodhi Vriksha. 3. Neem tree- The tropical evergreen Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica) is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess Durga. The tree is Herself a goddess called Neemari Devi. Neem is worshipped most intensely in southern India. 4. Kadam tree- The Hindus also worship the Kadam tree, because Shree Krishna used to sit and play under this tree. 5. Vilva tree- Lord Shiva patronizes the Vilva tree as the only tree, which has three, leaves that sprout together like a trident. The juice of the leaves is a relief to the Diabetics, and the pulp of the fruit is supposed to stop diarrhea. The fruit called bel was a favorite of Lord Shiva. 6. Asoka tree- which is known to relieve the worries of the persons sitting under its shade. Sita is said to have been seated under an Asoka tree in Lanka during her captivity. 7.Amla Navmi or Akshaya Navami- There is a tradition of worshipping the Amla tree on Kartik navami. According to the ancient scriptures, Amla is a favourite fruit of Lord Vishnu and all the gods and goddesses resides in the tree. 8. Sugar Cane- Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu and Sugarcane is an integral part of Pongal. 9. Tulsi Plant- Many Hindus have tulsi plants growing in front of or near their home. Traditionally, Tulsi is planted in the center of the central courtyard of Hindu houses. The plant is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes, and for its essential oil. It is widely known across the Indian Subcontinent as a medicinal plant and a herbal tea, commonly used in Ayurveda. 10. Banana tree- Banana Tree is a very pious tree and symbolizes Lord Vishnu. People worship the tree on Thursdays to get the benefits of Jupiter. 11. Mango tree- Mango Tree is a very sacred Tree and its fruit and leaves are used in many religious purposes like Yagya (Yagya is an important ceremony to calm down the negative effects planets and obtain their beneficial results). 12.Aloe Vera- In Ayurveda Aloe Vera is known as Grit Kumari, holy like Ghee of Cow, also used as healthy skin beauty product. 13.Betel Leaf or Paan Pata used in Worship of Lakshmi Puja. 14.Wheat Grass- Hindus offer ‘Durva’ (green grass) to the elephant God Ganesh and grow Wheatgrass to worship for nine days during ‘Navratri’ (Laxmi festival) every year. 15. Sesame or Til -Maximum use of sesame seeds is made during Makar Sankranti festival. For example, bathing with water containing sesame seeds and eating and distributing tilgul (a sweet made from sesame seeds), lighting lamps of sesame oil in a temple of Shri Shiva and performing pitrushraddh (rite for the departed ancestors) in which an offering of sesame seeds is made. 16. Datura - Shiva remains in divine intoxication, hence the association of intoxicating plants with him. He consumes that which others abhor, that which is toxic and harmful to the human body. Datura is used in Mahashivratri festival. 17. Bhang- Shiva, sometime called the Lord of Hemp, is said to have created Bhang (Cannibis sativa) out of his body to clean up the elixir which was received after the churning of ocean. The plants of Bhang grew wherever the elixir fell. Leaves of Bhang are offered to Shiva on special days. 18.Leaves and flowers of Akka(Arka, Swallow Wart) known for their intoxicating properties and caustic action, are also offered to Shiva because of the evergreen nature and palliative aspects of the plant. 19.Kaner (Karvira, Oleander, Nerium indicum), a tree widely known among tribals for its use in leucoderma, fever, bronchitis, ulcers and eye-disorders, is also associated with Shiva due to its poisonous nature. Its funnel-shaped red flowers are offered to Shiva and Ganesha, and to the Sun god, especially in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada v(August-Septrember)and Kartika (October-November). 20.Rudraksha is ‘highly sanctifying’ and is said to destroy sins. It is as dear to Shiva as Tulsi - holy Basil - to Vishnu, and red-coloured hibiscus to Ganesha. Its importance is seen from the number of faces or slits it has – varying from 1 to 24. Wearing of Rudraksha beads as necklace or armlet or adorning it on other parts of body is considered auspicious, and remains the identifiable mark of Shaivites. 21.Henna: Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is associated with Shiva because his consort, Parvati, applied the paste of its leaves on her body. During social and religious ceremonies of Hindus, like marriage, or other festivities like Karvachauth vrata (sacred vow for the long life of husband), Henna is used as an adornment by girls and women on various parts of body. 22.Apamarga- Shiva is associated with Apamarga, because the plant is traditionally regarded as an antidote to snake poison. There are hymns in the Atharvaveda (IV.17.1-8) which speak of the divine virtues of Apamarga. 23.Mahua tree and flower- Tribals of UP worship the Mahua tree and believe that the tree is home to Baba Goraknath. Tribals of Madhya Pradesh and Bihar venerate the Mahua and use it in rituals. The flowers were used to make sweet scented garlands in ancient India and poets sang about the beauty of the flower. 24.Lotus flower, Kamal - The flower bears great significance in the spiritual life of India. It is particularly sacred to the Hindus. Almost all Gods and Goddesses of Hindu pantheon are depicted sitting on lotuses or holding the flower. Lord Vishnu is represented with a lotus emergning from his navel (hence the name Padmanabha meaning lotus naveled) on which Lord Brahma sits. Lord Brahma is depicted siting on the flower. Goddess Lakshmi is also known to be closely associated with flower. Her many names including Padmapriya (one who likes lotus), Padmakshi (one whose eyes are as beautiful as lotus), Padmahastam (one who holds a lotus) are connected with flower. 25.Fig tree or Goolar tree- In the Atharva Veda, this fig tree (Sanskrit: uḍumbara or udumbara) is given prominence as a means for acquiring prosperity and vanquishing foes. Similarly flower of Kakdi, Jason flower, babool tree, shikakai, mehndi, hurra, bahera, Bamboo, Sandalwood and many more plants and trees are worshiped in India. source:Internet
