MARIGOLD (GENDA PHOOL)
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Marigold is called the Sthulapushpa in Sanskrit. The Marigold is a strong and stout plant that averagely grows up to two feet in height. The plant has a basic shape, which resembles erectness. Marigold, has flowers that are orange in colour. The petals of the flower seem to be entwined with each other. The fat stalk is greenish in appearance. The tree has some medicinal value as it is used to relieve rheumatism and the flowers are beneficial in case of eye diseases. The Marigold flower is generally offered in temples and also used in religious ceremonies. Generally a garland is never complete without a Marigold Flower in it.
Legend
There is a legend associated with Marigold, which goes this way. It once so happened that Kondmuli, the God of the Konds (a group of tribal people) fell in love with the wife of another God. Kondmuli was so attracted to her that he snatched her away from the other God and decided to make her his own. Meanwhile her husband searched all over for her. After a frenzied effort he finally found her on the hill Borandi. After he learned about the situation at hand, the anger of the God led to a war between him and Kondmuli. A ferocious quarrel ensued after which the God cut off Kondmuli’s head. The wife wept for Kondmuli. Seeing this the God dragged his wife from Borandi Hill and while he was taking her away she dropped her hairpin on the hill. The pin took root on the hill and took the form of the Marigold Flower.
