Today is Sri Ganapati chaturdhi. After performing the puja, I got the following doubt.
The List of 21 types of leaves used for Ganesha puja, is as follows. These leaves are stated to have medicinal values.
1.Shami Patra -- शमी , Telugu- Jammi
2.Bhringraj Patra - भृंगराज, Telugu- Guntakalagara
3.Bilva Patra- बेल , Telugu- Bilvam
4.Durva Patra- दूर्वा, Telugu - Garika
5.Ber Patra- बेर, Telugu - Regu
6.Datura Patra - धतूरा, Telugu- Ummetta
7.Tulasi Patra - तुलसी, Telugu- Tulasi
Sem Patra - सेम, Telugu - Chikkudu
Apamarga Patra- अपामार्ग , Telugu- Uttareni
10.Bhatakataiya Patra -भटकटैया,Telugu -Gurrapu gattaku.
11.Sindoor Patra - सिन्दूर,Telugu- Sindooram
Tej Patra - तेजपत्ता, Telugu -Talisapatri
Agastya Patra - अगस्त्य, Telugu -Avisa
14.Kaner Patra - कनेर,Telugu - Ganneru
- Kadali Patra - केला पत्र, Telugu - Arati
Arka Patra - आक,Telugu - Jilledu
Arjuna Patra - अर्जुन वृक्ष, Telugu Tella maddi,Yerra maddi
Devdar Patra - देवदार,Telugu- Devadaru
Marua Patra - मरुआ,Telugu- Maruvam
Gandari Patra - गण्डारि पत्र, Telugu- Devakanchanamu
Ketaki Patra - केतकी, Telugu -Gedaga
If we closely observe the leaves pertaining to Neem are missing in the above list.
Neem is stated to have a wide range of medicinal values, widely available in India, and is being in use in India since long.
Neem products are believed by Siddha and Ayurvedic practitioners to be anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, contraceptive, and sedative.
Does any scripture give reasons for non-inclusion of Neem leaves for Ganapati puja?
