NAKSHATRAVANAM

One living garden, twenty-seven traditions

A plant for every Nakshatra — a botanical record of cultural memory, planted, tended and documented.

SCRIPTURAL

What the texts establish

The twenty-seven nakṣatras and their presiding deities are enumerated in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa (III.1) and the Taittirīya Saṁhitā. Tree pairings come later — through purāṇic tree-planting chapters, the Bṛhat Saṁhitā, and the vṛkṣāyurveda literature culminating in Surapāla. We cite each layer separately and record variant pairings where recensions disagree.

SCIENTIFIC

What the field record establishes

Every species is identified to an accepted botanical name, checked against current nomenclatural authority, and planted only within its documented native range and soil-moisture tolerance. Growth, phenology, pollinator and bird visitation are logged per accession, and the recorded medicinal or ecological properties are referenced to published literature rather than to tradition alone.

How a pairing is validated

01 Enumerate from the text The nakṣatra list and its deities are taken from the Taittirīya recension, not from a modern secondary list.

02 Identify the species Each Sanskrit and vernacular plant name is resolved to a botanical name through the nighaṇṭus and regional floras.

03 Verify nomenclature Accepted names, synonymy and family placement are checked against current taxonomic authority before labelling.

04 Validate in the field Accessions are monitored for survival, phenology and fauna use; the record is published with the collection.

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Ashwini

Английское Strychnine tree

Санскрит Kāraskara / Viṣatinduka

Хинди कुचला — Kuchlā

Научное Strychnos nux-vomica

Божество Aśvins

Семейство Loganiaceae

Форма и ареал Deciduous tree of dry forest; India and SE Asia

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Aśvins as enumerated for Ashwini in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Seeds carry strychnine and brucine; a classical dravya admitted only after śodhana (detoxification).

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Bharani

Английское Indian gooseberry

Санскрит Āmalakī

Хинди आँवला — Āṁvlā

Научное Phyllanthus emblica

Божество Yama

Семейство Phyllanthaceae

Форма и ареал Small deciduous tree; northern and peninsular India

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Yama as enumerated for Bharani in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Fruit is exceptionally high in ascorbic acid and tannins; a rasāyana drug in the Caraka Saṁhitā.

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Krittika

Английское Cluster fig

Санскрит Udumbara

Хинди गूलर — Gūlar

Научное Ficus racemosa

Божество Agni

Семейство Moraceae

Форма и ареал Riparian tree; Indian subcontinent

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Agni as enumerated for Krittika in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные A keystone fig: the cauliflorous crop feeds fig wasps, bats and hornbills through the dry season.

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Rohini

Английское Java plum

Санскрит Jambū

Хинди जामुन — Jāmun

Научное Syzygium cumini

Божество Prajāpati

Семейство Myrtaceae

Форма и ареал Evergreen tree; subcontinent, common along water

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Prajāpati as enumerated for Rohini in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Seed extracts are among the most studied traditional antidiabetic materials; heavy monsoon fruiting.

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Mrigashira

Английское Catechu tree

Санскрит Khadira

Хинди खैर — Khair

Научное Acacia catechu

Божество Soma

Семейство Fabaceae

Форма и ареал Dry deciduous tree; northern and central India

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Soma as enumerated for Mrigashira in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Nitrogen-fixing; heartwood yields catechu tannins used in medicine and dyeing.

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Ardra

Английское Indian sandalwood

Санскрит Candana

Хинди चंदन — Chandan

Научное Santalum album

Божество Rudra

Семейство Santalaceae

Форма и ареал Hemiparasitic tree; peninsular India

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Rudra as enumerated for Ardra in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Needs a host root system; listed Vulnerable by IUCN, so propagation on site is host-paired.

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Punarvasu

Английское Giant thorny bamboo

Санскрит Vaṁśa

Хинди बाँस — Bāṁs

Научное Bambusa bambos

Божество Aditi

Семейство Poaceae

Форма и ареал Clumping bamboo; moist tracts of the subcontinent

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Aditi as enumerated for Punarvasu in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Fastest biomass accumulation in the collection; stabilises bank soil and sequesters carbon rapidly.

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Pushya

Английское Sacred fig

Санскрит Aśvattha

Хинди पीपल — Pīpal

Научное Ficus religiosa

Божество Bṛhaspati

Семейство Moraceae

Форма и ареал Large deciduous fig; subcontinent

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Bṛhaspati as enumerated for Pushya in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Asynchronous fruiting makes it a year-round frugivore resource; unusual night stomatal activity.

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Ashlesha

Английское Ceylon ironwood

Санскрит Nāgakesara

Хинди नागकेसर — Nāgkesar

Научное Mesua ferrea

Божество Sarpas (Nāgas)

Семейство Calophyllaceae

Форма и ареал Slow evergreen; Western Ghats and NE India

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Sarpas (Nāgas) as enumerated for Ashlesha in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Very dense timber; the aromatic stamens are the nāgakesara of the classical nighaṇṭus.

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Magha

Английское Banyan

Санскрит Vaṭa / Nyagrodha

Хинди बरगद — Bargad

Научное Ficus benghalensis

Божество Pitṛs

Семейство Moraceae

Форма и ареал Spreading fig; subcontinent

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Pitṛs as enumerated for Magha in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Prop roots build a multi-stemmed canopy supporting among the highest bird diversity of any Indian tree.

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Purva Phalguni

Английское Flame of the forest

Санскрит Palāśa

Хинди ढाक / पलाश — Ḍhāk

Научное Butea monosperma

Божество Bhaga

Семейство Fabaceae

Форма и ареал Deciduous tree of dry forest; subcontinent

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Bhaga as enumerated for Purva Phalguni in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Nitrogen-fixing; late-winter flowering is a critical nectar source before the general bloom.

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Uttara Phalguni

Английское Indian bat fig

Санскрит Plakṣa

Хинди पिपरी — Piparī

Научное Ficus amplissima

Божество Aryaman

Семейство Moraceae

Форма и ареал Evergreen fig; peninsular India

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Aryaman as enumerated for Uttara Phalguni in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Peninsular endemic; dense shade and small figs taken by bulbuls and barbets.

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Hasta

Английское Needle-flower jasmine

Санскрит Yūthikā

Хинди जूही — Jūhī

Научное Jasminum auriculatum

Божество Savitṛ

Семейство Oleaceae

Форма и ареал Scrambling shrub; peninsular India

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Savitṛ as enumerated for Hasta in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Night-scented; the flower oil is a documented source of methyl anthranilate used in attar.

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Chitra

Английское Bael

Санскрит Bilva

Хинди बेल — Bel

Научное Aegle marmelos

Божество Tvaṣṭṛ

Семейство Rutaceae

Форма и ареал Thorny deciduous tree; dry subcontinent

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Tvaṣṭṛ as enumerated for Chitra in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Fruit mucilage and marmelosin underlie its long-recorded use in intestinal disorders.

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Swati

Английское Arjun tree

Санскрит Arjuna / Kakubha

Хинди अर्जुन — Arjun

Научное Terminalia arjuna

Божество Vāyu

Семейство Combretaceae

Форма и ареал Large riparian tree; subcontinent

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Vāyu as enumerated for Swati in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Bark arjunolic acid is the subject of a substantial modern cardiological literature.

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Vishakha

Английское Spanish cherry

Санскрит Bakula

Хинди मौलसरी — Maulsarī

Научное Mimusops elengi

Божество Indrāgni

Семейство Sapotaceae

Форма и ареал Evergreen tree; peninsular India and the Deccan

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Indrāgni as enumerated for Vishakha in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Persistently fragrant flowers; bark long used as a dentifrice, with documented antimicrobial activity.

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Anuradha

Английское Rayan

Санскрит Kṣīriṇī

Хинди खिरनी — Khirnī

Научное Mimusops hexandra

Божество Mitra

Семейство Sapotaceae

Форма и ареал Hardy evergreen; dry peninsular India

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Mitra as enumerated for Anuradha in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Extremely drought-tolerant; the sweet berries are an important famine and wildlife food.

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Jyeshtha

Английское Chir pine

Санскрит Sarala

Хинди चीड़ — Chīṛ

Научное Pinus roxburghii

Божество Indra

Семейство Pinaceae

Форма и ареал Himalayan pine, 500–2000 m

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Indra as enumerated for Jyeshtha in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные The only montane species in the collection; grown in a raised, freely drained cohort.

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Mula

Английское Sal tree

Санскрит Śāla / Sarja

Хинди साल — Sāl

Научное Shorea robusta

Божество Nirṛti

Семейство Dipterocarpaceae

Форма и ареал Dominant forest tree; eastern and central India

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Nirṛti as enumerated for Mula in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Forms near-monodominant forest; its resin (dhūnā) is the classical incense of the region.

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Purva Ashadha

Английское Rattan cane

Санскрит Vetra

Хинди बेंत — Bent

Научное Calamus rotang

Божество Āpas

Семейство Arecaceae

Форма и ареал Climbing palm; wet peninsular India

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Āpas as enumerated for Purva Ashadha in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные A wetland indicator species — it marks the garden's permanently moist swale.

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Uttara Ashadha

Английское Jackfruit

Санскрит Panasa

Хинди कटहल — Kaṭhal

Научное Artocarpus heterophyllus

Божество Viśvedevas

Семейство Moraceae

Форма и ареал Evergreen tree; Western Ghats origin

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Viśvedevas as enumerated for Uttara Ashadha in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Cauliflorous; the largest tree-borne fruit and a significant regional carbohydrate staple.

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Shravana

Английское Crown flower

Санскрит Arka

Хинди मदार / सफ़ेद आक — Madār

Научное Calotropis gigantea

Божество Viṣṇu

Семейство Apocynaceae

Форма и ареал Shrub of open wasteland; subcontinent

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Viṣṇu as enumerated for Shravana in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Principal larval host of the plain tiger butterfly; cardenolide latex used in classical preparations.

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Dhanishta

Английское Khejri

Санскрит Śamī

Хинди खेजड़ी — Khejṛī

Научное Prosopis cineraria

Божество Vasus

Семейство Fabaceae

Форма и ареал Desert tree; Thar and the dry northwest

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Vasus as enumerated for Dhanishta in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Nitrogen-fixing with a deep taproot; measurably raises crop yield in agroforestry trials.

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Shatabhisha

Английское Burflower tree

Санскрит Kadamba

Хинди कदम — Kadam

Научное Anthocephalus cadamba

Божество Varuṇa

Семейство Rubiaceae

Форма и ареал Fast-growing deciduous tree; moist subcontinent

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Varuṇa as enumerated for Shatabhisha in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Globose inflorescences; among the fastest-growing native hardwoods, used in canopy restoration.

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Purva Bhadrapada

Английское Mango

Санскрит Āmra

Хинди आम — Ām

Научное Mangifera indica

Божество Aja Ekapāda

Семейство Anacardiaceae

Форма и ареал Evergreen tree; Indo-Burma origin

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Aja Ekapāda as enumerated for Purva Bhadrapada in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные The subcontinent's most cultivated fruit tree; several hundred named landraces are documented.

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Uttara Bhadrapada

Английское Neem

Санскрит Nimba

Хинди नीम — Nīm

Научное Azadirachta indica

Божество Ahirbudhnya

Семейство Meliaceae

Форма и ареал Evergreen tree; dry subcontinent

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Ahirbudhnya as enumerated for Uttara Bhadrapada in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Azadirachtin is a well-characterised insect antifeedant, now used in registered biopesticides.

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Revati

Английское Butter tree

Санскрит Madhūka

Хинди महुआ — Mahuā

Научное Madhuca longifolia

Божество Pūṣan

Семейство Sapotaceae

Форма и ареал Deciduous tree of central Indian forest

Текстовое свидетельство Presiding deity Pūṣan as enumerated for Revati in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa III.1; the tree pairing follows the nakṣatra-vṛkṣa lists of the later purāṇic and vṛkṣāyurveda compilations.

Научные данные Corolla is a major tribal food and fermentation crop; flowering supports large bee populations.

Where recensions assign different trees to the same nakṣatra, the variant is recorded rather than resolved; where a claimed property has no published support, it is listed as traditional usage only.