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Why People Distribute Apta Tree Leaves on Dussehra and Vijayadasami day?

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In North and Western parts of India people distribute leaves of Apta, or Apati, tree leaves on Dussehra and Vijayadasami day. In this ritual, Apta tree leaves symbolically represents gold or sona. People present Apta tree leaves to friends, relatives and neighbors and wish happy Dasara. There is an interesting story on why Apati tree leaves are presented on Dussehra.

The English name of it is bidi-leaf tree.

Scientific name is  Bauhinia Racemosa

Medicinal use:
  • Fresh paste of the bark is used to cure swellings. 
  • Bark extract helps in curing indigestion. 
  • Leaf paste is used to cure headache by applying on forehead. 
  • Fresh flower bud is used to cure cough.
  • Drink prepared using dried leaves is used to cure diarrhea, internal bleeding, and hemorrhages.
In Hinduism - symbol of gold, peace, prosperity and good health. Offer to friends, neighbors and relatives as sign of prosperity. Worshipped for good health and wealth.

Names in Indian Languages
  • Hindi: kathmauli / jhinjheri
  • Marathi: apta, sona,
  • Malayalam: kotapuli arampali, kutabuli, malayaththi
  • Bengali: banraji
  • Tamil: arikka / arai / atti
  • Kannada: Aapta / aralukadumandara
  • Urdu: Gul-e-anehnal
  • Telugu: tella arecettu


Story of Distributing Apta Leaves

Legend has it that a young man named Kautsa in Ayodhya once after attaining education from Guru Varatantu asked his Guru to accept a Guru Daskhina – a present offered by students to Guru after completing their studies.

Guru Varatantu at first said he did not want any Dakshina. But young Kautsa insisted that He should take a Dakshina.

Guru Varatantu to get rid of Kautsa asked him for 14 crore (140 million) gold coins. One hundred million for each subject taught.

The student then went to Lord Ram who was ruling Ayodhya and asked for the gold coins needed to pay his Guru Dakshina. Lord Ram promised to help Kautsa and asked him to wait near the Shanu and Apta Tree in his village

In three days time, Lord Ram with the help of Lord Kuber, the God wealth, showered gold coins from the leaves of Shanu and Apati Tree. The leaves of the trees became gold coins.

Kautsa collected the coins and gave 140 million gold coins to Guru Varatantu. The rest of coins were distributed to the needy by Kautsa. This happened on a Dussehra day. To commemorate this event even today people collect leaves of Apta tree and present it as sona or gold.