Aegle marmelos is called Bilwa, Vilwa or Bael in Indian languages. It is one of the most sacred trees according to Hinduism. The leaves of Bilwa are used in the Pūja of Lord Shiva. The Shivalinga is also adorned with garland of Bilwa leaves. For Nāgavanshi Nairs, worshipping Lord Shiva, Goddess Shakti and Nāga Devatas are more important than having food. Once in a year we offer special Pūja to Nāga Devatas in nearest Temple of Lord Shiva. It is a must for us. It is performed by the priest of the Temple. We occasionally offer Pūjas in Shree Nāgaraja Temple in Mannārashāla of Alapuzha district by booking via phone. Once we decided to offer Pujas in Shree Nāgaraja Temple in Nāgarkovil of Kanyakumari district in the same way. After the Pūjas were offered, the very next day we saw a typical Bilwa plant in our garden. The shape of it's leaves resembled the hood of snake. This is the photo of that Bilwa.
After that we again offered Pūjas in the same Temple. Again, the very next day we saw in our garden another Bilwa plant with different type of leaves. This is photo of that Bilwa. You can see that it's leaves are different from that of the previous one. Click on the photos to get enlarged view.
We consider these two Bilwas very sacred. I never dared to go near these Bilwas after eating non-vegetarian food. When we decided to sell our house, we decided to give these two Bilwas to the famous Shree Vadakkunnāthan Mahādeva Temple which is situated in the heart of Thrissur city. We took the two Bilwa plants to the Temple and dedicated them in the front of the shrine of Lord Shiva. After that the Temple employees told us that they will plant these two Bilwas in the curtilage of the Temple.
After that we again offered Pūjas in the same Temple. Again, the very next day we saw in our garden another Bilwa plant with different type of leaves. This is photo of that Bilwa. You can see that it's leaves are different from that of the previous one. Click on the photos to get enlarged view.
We consider these two Bilwas very sacred. I never dared to go near these Bilwas after eating non-vegetarian food. When we decided to sell our house, we decided to give these two Bilwas to the famous Shree Vadakkunnāthan Mahādeva Temple which is situated in the heart of Thrissur city. We took the two Bilwa plants to the Temple and dedicated them in the front of the shrine of Lord Shiva. After that the Temple employees told us that they will plant these two Bilwas in the curtilage of the Temple.
