Southern States - Kerala   

An astrological woodland in the making

By Our Staff Reporter

KOLLAM Nov. 15. At an enclave within the sprawling Thenmala Eco Tourism Project in Kerala, a unique woodland is slowly taking shape. Saplings of 27 trees from different species, claimed to have auspicious astrological influence on human beings, are planted in the enclave and the project is reportedly the first of its kind.

Like the different varieties of gem stones considered auspicious for each zodiac sign, each of the 27 trees, according to Indian astrology, is an auspicious botanic talisman, provided by nature, separately for the 27 stars from Ashwathy to Revathy, astrologers claim. The saplings of all the 27 trees are also available at the eco tourism counter.

For the first star, Ashwathy, in the horoscope, the tree is Kanjiram (strychnos nuxyomica). For Bharanai, nelli or the gooseberry tree, Karthika, atthi (ficus recemoga), Rohini, njaaval (zyzigium cumunii), Makayiram, Karingali (accacia catachu), Thiruvathira, karimaram (diospyros ebenum), Punartham, bamboo tree, Pooyam, arayaal or peepal tree, Ayilyam, naakam (messua nagassarium), Makham, peraal or banyan tree, Pooram, chamatha (butea monosperma), Uthradam, itthi (ficus microcarpa), Atham, ambazham (spondia spinneta), Chithira, koovalam (aegle marmelos), Chothi, neermaruthu (terminalia arjuna), Visakam, vayyankatha (flacourtia montana), Anizham, elanji (mimusops elengi), Thriketta, vetti (aporoba lyndleyna), Moolam, vellapine (vatoria indica), Pooradam, vaanchi (Ochreinauclea Missionis), Uttradam, plaavu or the jack fruit tree (Artocarpus Heterrophyllus), Thiruvonam, erukku (Calotropis Gigantia), Avittam, vanni (Accacia Perunginea), Chathayam, kadambu (Adina Cordifolia), Pooruruttathi, maavu or the mango tree, Uttrattathi, karimpana (Borassus Flabellifer) and Revathi, ilippa (Madhuca Nerifolia).

The saplings have been planted in such a manner that those with the corresponding stars can spent some time alone without any disturbance under the right tree. According to the astrologer, Prabhakaran Pillai, the trees could boost good effects and curb the bad effects. But there are some astrological principles to be adhered to while planting them.

While that is a big subject and debatable, he said that none of these trees should be planted at the northern side of a house. Whether or not these trees have such powers, the astrological woodland at Thenmala, known as the ``Nakshathra Vanam'', is already attracting a curious, if not superstitious, crowd each day.

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