The Holy Naga Pu

Some 40 years back we planted two Naga Pu trees from India and they grew in the shade of some tall Poincianna trees, so did not flower as expected. This year they did flower and here we see Sadhaka Shankaranatha harvesting the flowers. Commonly called the Cannon Ball Tree after its spherical brown fruit that can be the size of a human head, it is known in India as Naga Pu or Serpent Flower. As the slideshow reveals, the intricate structure of the flower holds a structure that looks like a cobra's hood hovering above a yellow circle which has in the middle a tiny white Sivalingam. The tree is planted in temple compounds throughout India and the flowers are a special offering to Siva. Sadhaka took his bag of blossoms to Siva's Feet.

Sadhaka on a tall ladder, needed to reach the sacred flowers high above ground.

Back on the ground, he holds the open flower to reveal the shape. The white and yellow bristles are the cobra\

s hood. '

Close-up of the lingam protected by the serpent above.

Elsewhere in today\

s garden, a happy orchid dances near the drinking fountain. This family is known as Chain Orchid.'

First year our massive sansevieria \"Macho\" is giving seeds.

Closeup of a palm frond designed by the Great Architect. In Sanskrit Siva is refered to as \"architect of the universe\" or Vivasya Sthapati.

One of His morning paintings, the bark of a Rainbow Eucalyptus tree, this one near the Wailua River bank.

The Dragon Fruit flowers near Kopi Kadai and the kitchen.

A giant philodendron clammers up a tree out near Iraivan Temple.

This Grape Orchid (Yes, smells just like grapes) is blooming near Dakshinamurti today. It\

s a sun-loving terrestrial orchid native to Malaysia. While most orchids grow in trees, there are many (about 30%) that grow in the ground. '

An arid euphorbia enjoying the tropical sun over by the Kadavul Temple pool.

Palm frond, close up.

Frond of a fishtail palm, Caryota mitis, a super rare and hand-painted variegated form. This one is hiding in the bushes over near Bodhinatha\

s office. Maybe he\'s afraid an avid collector will dig him up and take him home. '
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