Flowers Associated with Lord Krishna

No Hindu religious ritual is considered to be complete without offering flowers to the lord. This is because devotees believe flowers can help them to invoke the blessings of their favourite deity and also please the Almighty. They indicate an individual’s surrender and devotion to God. Flowers are also an epitome of positive energy, love, and purity.

Lord Krishna is the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, the Preserver among the Trinity. He is represented as a dark-complexioned god clad in yellow and with a peacock feather on His head. He is associated with teaching the principles of the Bhagavad Gita to the third Pandava prince, Arjun, on the Kurukshetra battleground. Worshippers consider their favourite god as a deity of divine playfulness, compassion, and love.

In the Bhagavad Gita, the lord mentions that He will gladly accept a flower, a fruit, a leaf, or even water offered by a person if it is offered with utmost devotion. While the deity is known for His love for butter, did you know that He also has a fascination for some specific flowers? Read on to know what they are so that you can offer them to their deity.

Parijata

This flower is also called night jasmine or harsingar. The legend goes that the Parijata tree was brought to earth from heaven. The tree is believed to be a wish-fulfilling tree. Lord Krishna is said to have transported the tree to Earth to symbolise His eternal love for devotees and divine presence.

The white flowers of this tree with orange stalks are noted for their fragrance and represent spirituality. An interesting fact about the flowers is that they bloom only at night and fall off the tree during the day.

Lotus

Also known as padma, the lotus is another personal favourite of the deity. In fact, Lord Vishnu is portrayed with a lotus in His lower right hand. The lotus is also considered to be one of the holiest flowers in Hindu mythology.

The flower is available in different colours. Irrespective of the colour, the lotus is a representation of divine wisdom, beauty, and purity along with spiritual enlightenment. Its petals are said to increase the devotion of the worshipper, highlighting his/her pure heart. Interestingly, Lord Krishna is occasionally portrayed standing on a lotus in full bloom, indicating His superiority over the material world.

Jasmine

These small white flowers that bloom in clusters represent eternal devotion and love and are also related to purity. It is believed that Krishna is attracted to the divine fragrance of these flowers.

The petals of these flowers are said to render a calm ambience by increasing the individual’s devotion to the Almighty and increasing his/her spiritual bonding with Krishna. Temples dedicated to the lord are usually decorated with these flowers.

Kadamba

These small flowers that look like yellow balls are said to be very special to Lord Krishna. The flowers represent beauty and devotion and are also associated with spiritual awakening and happiness. Worshippers offer them along with their prayers as they believe the flowers to increase the beauty of their favourite deity and to have their wishes granted by the lord.

The story goes that the god spent most of His childhood playing and resting under the branches of the tree with these flowers. The tree is associated with the lord’s romance with His biggest devotee, Radha. Krishna is also said to have enjoyed playing His flute under this tree.

Tulsi

Tulsi, or holy basil, needs no introduction to any Hindu. The leaves and flowers of this plant are indispensable in almost any Vaishnavism-related ritual. Known for its sanctity, they highlight spiritual wisdom, devotion, and purity.

Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu and the goddess of wealth, is believed to reside in the tulsi plant and is one of the main reasons why this plant is dear to Lord Krishna. The deity is portrayed wearing a tulsi garland around His neck. It is considered to be very auspicious to offer tulsi to the lord.

Passion Flower

This purple-coloured flower stands out with its showy tendril. Interestingly, this flower is also called Krishna Kamal and is associated with the lord’s eternal love for His devotees.

It is said that the flower gets its name from the radial elements in its middle that resemble the Sudarshan Chakra, the mighty weapon of Lord Krishna. On the other hand, the blue petals are a representation of the lord Himself.

Marigold

Available in yellow and orange, this flower represents the worshipper’s unwavering veneration for their favourite deity. The flower also highlights positivity and purity. Devotees believe that the brightness of the flower puts the darkness in their lives at bay and guides them towards spiritual awakening and prosperity.

The cheerful appearance of this flower symbolises Lord Krishna’s divine presence, radiant energy, and joyful nature. Like jasmine, it is a common sight to find the lord’s temples decorated with these flowers as they are a representation of auspiciousness.

Rose

This flower comes in several vibrant colours and has a sweet fragrance. It is a perfect representation of love and divine beauty. The flower also deepens and strengthens a person’s spiritual connection with the supreme power and highlights his/her intense devotion to the lord.

The diverse hues and elegance of the flowers are said to symbolise many aspects of Lord Krishna related to divine nature.

You can offer any one or more types of flowers to Lord Krishna based on your personal preference. However, what matters the most is that you do so wholeheartedly and with a pure mindset. Offering flowers to the deity with a clear intent can help you win the Lord’s mind and be bestowed with His blessing to lead a happy and spiritual life.