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 represent gold or sona. People present Apta tree leaves to friends, relatives, and neighbors and wish them happy Dasara. There is an interesting story on why Apati tree leaves are presented on Dussehra.
The English name of it is a 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 headaches by applying it to the forehead.
- The fresh flower bud is used to cure cough.
- Drink prepared using dried leaves is used to cure diarrhea, internal bleeding, and hemorrhages.
In Hinduism – The symbol of gold, peace, prosperity, and good health. Offer to friends, neighbors, and relatives as a 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 an education from Guru Varatantu asked his Guru to accept a Guru Dakshina – 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 crores (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 of 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 the coins were distributed to the needy by Kautsa. This happened on a Dussehra day. To commemorate this event even today people collect leaves of the Apta tree and present them as sona or gold.
