Why Ganga Siuli Called Tree of Sorrow and Queen of the Night

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Night-flowering Jasmine) is the botanical name where as other common names are Coral Jasmine, Tree of Sorrow and Queen of the night. Har Singar in Hindi, Pavizhamalli in Tamil, Paarijat in Sanskrit, Malayalam, Marathi, Kannada and GangaSiuli in Odia. A flower of Autumn evening whose smell makes the surroundings full of energetic thats why it is also called Parijata the flowers of God & Goddess.

In the Bhagavatha it is stated that Lord Krishna and Sathyabhama had gone to heaven and Sathyabhama loved the Parijatha tree in the garden. She asked Krishna if she could take the tree back to earth. Lord Krishna plucked the tree along with roots to take it back to earth. Lord Indra, the king of heaven was infuriated and fought with Lord Krishna. Indra lost the battle and begged Lord Krishna to let go of the Parijatha tree, as it was the most loved tree in heaven. Lord Krishna and Sathyabhama gave back the tree and returned back to earth a bit disappointed.

While it is also believed Lord Krishna bought the Parijata Tree from Lord Indra’s palace. He gave the plant to his wife Rukmini, due to which his other wife Satyabhama got jealous. In order to pacify Satyabhama, Krishna planted the tree inside Satyabhama’s courtyard. The tree grew in a slanting position and the flowers fell inside Rukmini’s courtyard. Satyabhama was annoyed about this and cursed that the tree would bloom only in the night and that the flowers should fade quickly.

All parts of the plant are used in Ayurveda and Homoeopathy medicine to treat arthritis, fever, constipation, edema, cough, dandruff, and intestinal worms.