Flame of the forest: Odisha's palash blooms amid rising heat; Know its cultural & spiritual significance

With temperatures soaring in Odisha, the vibrant Palash blooms bring ecological and cultural relief. Revered in Hindu mythology and Odia traditions, its flowers are used for rituals, medicine, and tribal livelihoods.

Summer in Odisha Palash trees bloom know its significance in Odia culture

Palash trees bloom in Odisha's summer heat

time

Odisha is bracing for a gruelling summer, with temperatures soaring to 38.5 degrees Celsius in Titilagarh on the first day of March. Amid this rising mercury, the vibrant orange-red blooms of the Palash tree, also known as the ‘Flame of the Forest’ or ‘Sacred Tree,’ have sparked vibrant hues across the state, offering both ecological relief and cultural solace.

Palash Blooms: A Fiery Respite

The Palash tree thrives in Odisha’s dry, hot summers, blooming from February to April. Its fiery flowers, which resemble clusters of flames, peak as temperatures rise and fall before the monsoon arrives. Such a timing ensures pollination, sustaining biodiversity by attracting birds and insects. 

Beyond aesthetics, the tree’s deep roots also prevent soil erosion, while its nitrogen-fixing ability enriches degraded lands.

ALSO READ: Heatwave! Four places of Odisha among India’s ‘top 10 hottest’

Cultural and Spiritual Importance

The Palash tree holds profound cultural importance in Odisha. According to Hindu mythology, the Palash tree originated from the fallen feathers of a falcon soaked in somarasa, a divine drink offered to the Gods.

Its leaves also symbolize Hinduism’s holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and its wood fuels sacred rituals like yajnas and Shivratri fires. During Holi, flowers are crushed into natural ‘gulal’ (colour), replacing synthetic dyes.

Healing Power of Palash

The Palash tree is known for its numerous health benefits as its leaves have antimicrobial, astringent, antioxidant, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, the oil extracted from the tree is recommended for treating ailments such as piles and promoting longevity.

In Odisha, tribal communities often brew its parts into remedies for respiratory and skin conditions.

Sustaining Lives and Land

For Odisha’s tribal communities, the Palash tree serves as an economic pillar. Women craft biodegradable plates from the tree’s leaves for festivals and weddings, while lac resin from its bark is used in the pharmaceutical and jewellery industries. Additionally, the tree’s gum serves as a natural astringent and its timber shapes ritual utensils.

ALSO READ: Odisha braces for intense heatwave, peak expected between March and May

As Odisha battles climate extremes, the Palash stands as a testament to adaptation. Its blooms, emerging amid heatwaves, mirror the resilience of Odia culture, which is one of the richest in recorded history.

Next story