Navbharat Digital Team: The great festival of ‘Dussehra’ (Dussehra 2023), symbolizing the victory of good over evil, will be celebrated across the country today, Tuesday, 24 October. As per the tradition, we see that every year after winning Dussehra, two leaves are distributed among friends, family members, relatives to wish them a happy Dussehra and blessings are taken from the elders. According to Pandit Chandrashekhar Malatare, this year the Dashami tithi of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month will start from 05:44 pm on 23rd October and due to Udaya Tithi, Dussehra festival will be celebrated on 24th October. In such a situation, let us know about the importance of gold leaves distributed on Dussehra.
According to astrologers, the gold leaves which are distributed on Dussehra have been described as ‘leaves of the Shami tree’ in mythological texts. It is mentioned in Ramayana that Lord Rama worshiped the Shami tree before conquering Lanka. It is believed that Lord Kuber also resides in the Shami tree. Shami tree gives blessings of happiness, prosperity and victory in life.
The specialty of Shami tree is that this tree flourishes more in the year when there is drought. In such a situation, every farmer must plant Shami tree on the border of his field. This tree gives advance indication about weather disaster in farming.
According to mythological texts, only Sona Patti is called Shami tree, but ‘Astra’ leaves are distributed in Malvanchal. In Jhabua district it is known as Hetri or Sendri. At some places, Kathmuli and Jhinjhori are also used for gold leaf. In Sanskrit it is called Ashmantak, Yamalapatrak. In fact, during this time such cards are dealt in which two cards are joined together.