CPREEC - EIACP Programme Centre, Resource Partner on Ecological Heritage and Sacred Sites of India

Botanical Name

Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb.

Common name

Blue-marble tree / Utracham bead tree, Rudraksha (Sanskrit)

Religious significance 

The Rudraksha bead is associated with Lord Shiva and considered very sacred by the Hindus. Lord Shiva is often depicted wearing the sacred beads.

All legends pertaining to the origin of Rudraksha describe them as tears shed by Lord Shiva for the benefit of humanity

Uses

The white wood from the tree has a unique strength to weight ratio, making it valued for its timber. The wood has been used to make aeroplane propellers, which obviously have to be light and strong.

The Rudraksha berry is sweet in taste. It is used for a variety of treatments including indigestion, vomiting, injuries, epilepsy etc. The fruits also constitute the diet of the fruit bats or flying foxes in the Himalayan region