General - Flowers offered to various deities, planets and the stars - constellationsts

Some deities, their birth stars (constellations)  and flowers offered to them

Deities and birth stars (constellations)

Lord Ganesh          Hastha (Atham)

Lord Sriram           Punarvasu (punartham)

Lord Ayyappan      Uthra Phalguni (Uttram)

Lord Siva              Thiruvathira (Aarudra)

Lord Vishnu           Thiruvonam (Sravana)

Lord Srikrishna      Rohini 

Lord Hanuman       Moola 

Sri Mahalakshmi    Purva Phalguni (Pooram)

Sri Parvathy           Purva Phalguni (Pooram)

Sri Saraswathi        Moola

Deities and flowers

For Lord Ganesha mainly used flowers and leaves are Durva Grass, Milkweed flower - usually the white colored ones (Arka - Eruku), any usual red flowers, Pomegranate leaves, Sanku Pushpam or Conch flower, Leaves and flowers of Thazhampoo (Ketaki, Screw Pine).  Thulsi is not used normally except on the occasion of Vinayaka Chathurthi pooja.

For Lord Siva mainly used flowers are Bilva pathra, thulsi, lotus, Dhatura flowers and arka flowers. If blue lotus is available it is considered as most auspicious.

For Lord Vishnu the normal flowers are Ixora ('idli poo' in Tamil) of red and white colors, Thulsi leaves, Lotus

For Goddess Lakshmi the most favorite flower is lotus. Another is the fragrant variety of Thazhampoo (Ketaki, Screw Pine). Rose flowers or petals also used.

 There are certain codes to be observed while using or plucking flowers for poojas

For goddess Saraswathi, Pavizhamalli is not to be used.

Except for hibiscus all other flowers should be in bloom. Buds of only hibiscus are allowed for poojas.

Old and wilting flowers should not be used. Fresh flowers of the day is to be used. This c ode need not followed for flowers growing in water like lotus, lily etc.

The flowers used once for any purpose should not be used for poojas. Flowers soiled or with hair etc should be avoided. Thulsi is to be used as a petals. this condition is followed only in some parts of the country.

Planets and flowers offered to them

Sun          Red Lotus;   Moon        White water Lily;  Kuja (Mangal - Chovva)   Champak;   Budh (Mercury)   white mahaaram;    Guru (Jupiter)  Jasmine;    Sukr  (Venus)    White Lotus;  Sani (Saturn)  Koovalam (Aegle mermelos), blue Sankupushpam (Aparjit);   Raahu  Mandaar;     Kehtu  Red arali (Nerium indicum).

Benefits of pooja with the flowers

Red Lotus                                             Prosperity, self confidence, relief from eye troubles

Red Arali - Nerium oleander                 Relief to Mangal dosha, Family welfare

Blue Sankhu Pushp -  
Blue Clitoria ternatea vine                     Love of Lord Sani, longevity and health

Pavizha malli - Parijatha
Coral Jasmine, Night Jasmine                Benevolence of Sri Lakshmi, Sri Hanuman, relief from obstacles

Red thetchi - thetti flower
Ixora Coccinea                                     Increase in intelligence and prosperity

Tulsi - holy Basil
Ocimum tenuiflorum                              Increase in wisdom and benevolence from planet Budh

Kooval, Bilwa, Aegle marmelos            Longevity, benevolence of Lord Siv

Pichak (pichi) a kind of jasmine
and normal jasmine                              Benevolence from Sri Lakshmi and peace of mind

White lotus                                          Benevolence of Lord Vishnu and all round prosperity.