Jasmine among flowers

¡         Pushpeshu Jathi,         = Jasmine among flowers

¡         Puresheshu Vishnu        = Vishnu among men

¡         Narishu Ramba,             = Ramba among women

¡         Nagareshu Kanchi          = Kanchi among towns

(A Verse by Mahakavi Kalidasa)

Jasmine is a very popular flower around the world, especially in tropics because of its unique fragrance. Flowering in Jasmines takes place in summer or spring, usually six months after planting. The flower releases its fragrance at night after the sun has set and especially when the moon is waxing towards fullness. The flower buds are more fragrant than the flowers.

Since ancient times Jasmine has been thought of as the ‘queen of flowers’. The name Jasmine is derived from the Persia ‘yasmin’, meaning a fragrant flower. It’s also a Persian girl name. Jasmine has been used in Ayurveda for several thousands of years. At the time of Lord Buddha its oil was used for anointing kings and wealthy people of the society. It has a cooling and soothing effect.

Jasmine flowers are white in most species, with some species being yellow flowered. Jasmine is believed to have originated in the Himalayas in western China. In India, jasmine is called “moonshine in the garden” and ancient Indian paintings depicted lovers bathing in moonlight near jasmine plants.

Many Indian women wear garlands of Jasmine flowers in their hair. The jasmine flower is such a meaningful part of Indian weddings. The flower is also used in large ceremonial garlands used to honor guests and celebrate special occasions.. Without Jasmin,  there is no festival, no auspicious functions, no Worship, no welcome, and no marriage in Hindu communities. It is Gods’ own flower.

The center for growing jasmine plants on a commerical scale is around Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India. Near the sacred city of Rameshwaram, seedlings are cultivated on a large scale for distribution to farmers throughout the state. It is said that the soil conditions and climate, coupled with the sacred aura of the holy city are responsible for the high quality of the plants coming from there. The peak season for harvesting the flowers is from March-July with smaller amounts produced in August/September and January/February. Jasmine flowers are highly perishable and have to be disposed off in the market within few hours after picking. It is such a volatile market that the price of flowers can be as low as 15 Rupees per kilo and as high as 500. The flowers are not only destined for cities in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala States but are air shipped to Bombay and New Delhi as well as oversea to places like Dubai.