But my favourite is Shiuli…blooming of shiuli flower indicates that autumn is here. It also marks the countdown of one of the biggest community festivals –DURGA PUJA.

Shiuli- The white flower with orange stem. My faded memory of it is a rangoli made up of white flowers on brown soil at my grandmother’s place. It is the most beautiful mesmerizing view. Shiuli flower blooms only at night and it falls down with the first ray of sunlight. So, it is the only flower which is offered to GOD after it falls on to the ground.

There are many stories of this flower. One of which fascinates me was of Princess named Parijat …who fell in love with Surya-the Sun God. Surya agreed to marry her but on one condition. She should never face away him. Amused, the princess agreed .The couple got married.  Days passed…seasons changed. The days turned hotter and soon it was summer.Surya glowed intensely…the heat became unbearable.Parijat realized that it was impossible to stay in close proximity to her husband. Taken aback with sudden intense heat, the delicate Parijat turned her face away. Angered, Surya’s fury knew no bounds. The heat doubled and Parijat wilted in no time. The Surya realized his mistake …and he wept inconsolably…So he sought help of God and Goddesses’. Taking mercy on him, they brought her back to life on the condition that Parijat would bloom only at night. The setting sun would be able to visit his beloved only at night. Surya agreed. Since then Shiuli blooms only at night and lightens everything around with her beauty and fragrance. And, as the first ray of sun hits her, she takes a leave.

There is another mythological tale with this tree ….It is said that Parijat tree came out during the Samudra Manthan and Lord Krishna battled with Indradev for acquiring it. His wife Satyabhama asked him to plant the tree in her garden. Not wanting to upset his another wife Rukmini, Krishna planted the tree in Satyabhama’s garden but with the blooms falling over the wall into Rukmani’s garden.

So Shiuli … is a story of every woman who must stand up for her rights…..story of woman who has to protect her vulnerabilities, guard them and still stand strong…..Shiuli is a story of love which shows that if strong and pure, it would survive all ordeal.