Flowers are used in India for all the festivals. The tradition of offering flowers to the deity has been inherited from the past many centuries together.

Indian culture has plenty of festivals to celebrate each year then be it a Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Holi, Diwali, and many more. With each state in India the celebrations and festivals differ, but unity in diversity again here means the festivals may be known by different names but they are similar in terms of the deity worshipped on each festival.

Festivals accompany celebrations

The flowers for festivals form an integral part of pooja and other celebrations. For example, Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayaka Chaturthi is a common Hindu festival that is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha.

The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is a 10-day long festival celebrated all over India. The idol of Lord Ganesha is worshipped for 10 days and then immersed in a water source.

The preparation for this festival begins months before the festival approaches as artisans prepare beautiful lord Ganesha idols.

The flowers used in this festival are red flowers that are hibiscus the most as it is believed that Lord Ganesha likes red flowers especially hibiscus. It is the favourite flower of God Ganesha and is offered to seek blessing from the lord for prosperity and to help destroy enemies.

Durva (grass) also plays an important role while worshipping Lord Ganesha. As every new thing starts with the name of Lord Ganesha, people seek blessing before starting any new venture.

Sweets like modakas, jaggery is prepared for Prasad to be offered to the lord. On the 11th day, the idol of Lord Ganesha is immersed in the water source and the procession is carried out with singing, dancing and it is a grand celebration on its own.

Some other flowers that have significance for Ganesh Chaturthi are Kunda, Downy Jasmine. They are also known as nithya mullai and grow all through the year. They are offered to the lord along with the family.

Gokarna (Clitoria Ternatea) - Blue

Gokarna flower also grows all through the year and is Shankha (shell). They offer happiness and prosperity and are also offered to the lord to seek blessing for early marriage.

Marigold

Also known as Zendu, Genda in India it is offered to gain good health.

Shevanti (Yellow) - Chrysanthemum

These are small flowers offered to eliminate bad effects, evil eyes and negative impacts.

Janmashtami Celebrations across India

Most of the Indian Pooja flowers in USA are available easily through online stores.

The entire nation celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna with great enthusiasm. There is a pleasant atmosphere everywhere, where small kids are dressed up as little Krishna and the sweet shops are full of different types of sweets.

The flower shops can be seen having different types of flowers and garlands for Janamasthami and these garlands are also used to decorate dahi handis celebration. A lot of plays are performed and temples are decorated using flowers.

The recitation of mantras and holy books like Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata Purana are performed at Hindu temples.

Well, you can send a rose bouquet to your loved ones on this festival. These flowers represent beauty and love. As they are available in different colors they represent joy, friendship, purity, etc so you can brighten the day of your loved ones by sending them lovely roses.

Re-defining the relationships

RakshaBandhan defines the bonding between a sister and a brother and is celebrated with a lot of love every year.

The sibling relationship cannot be expressed in words. In India, the festival of "Raksha Bandhan" is dedicated to the love that siblings share.

The brother promises his sister to protect her for a lifetime. The festival is celebrated on the full moon day according to the Hindu calendar which falls in the month of Shravana. It falls in the month of August.

Harvest festival

Onam is a festival of harvest in Kerala. It is also a festival of flowers. The climate in Kerela is favourable for bearing flowers on plants.

The attractive thing about this festival is the floral Rangoli which is called 'Athapoo' because it begins on - Attam, which is the 1st day of the festival Onam and goes on till the last day - Thiruonam.

It is the season and festival of flowers everywhere. The flowers that are used for Athappookalam are the special flowers and not all the flowers are used to form rangoli. The flowers used to make floral rangoli in this festival are

Thumba

It is a tiny white flower which is a vital part of Onam

Tulasi

Tulasi is mandatory and is an integral part of Onam Pookalam. Its green colour enhances the color and aroma of the rangoli making the surroundings serene.

Many more flowers are used to make this floral rangoli and it appears fresh and attractive.