Did you know that Callicarpa tomentosa or Aarati gida is also known as Pandavara Batti (Pandavas’ torch), a plant whose leaves are said to have been used as a fire torch by the Pandavas of Mahabharata during their vanavasa (exile)?
Callicarpa tomentosa or Aarati gida Did you know that Callicarpa tomentosa or Aarati gida is also known as Pandavara Batti (Pandavas’ torch), a plant whose leaves are said to have been used as a fire torch by the Pandavas of Mahabharata during their vanavasa (exile)? Callicarpa tomentosa or Aarati gida, a species of beautyberry plant in the family Lamiaceae, which is found in the Western Ghats in India, in Sri Lanka and Nepal. The plant’s Kannada name 'Aarati gida' is not accidental. It is so called because one can light a torch with even its fresh green leaf – a drop of oil applied on the tip of the leaf does the trick as it begins to act like a wick. The plant, , is still used in many South Indian temples like the Ayyanar temple and Bhairavar temple in Tamil Nadu. Its ancient pre-historic link is to the epic Mahabharata period of Dwapara Yuga when the Pandavas were exiled to live in forests they used this plant's leaves as a fire torch (Batti...
