So Beautiful Night-Flowering Jasmine Flower

Night-Flowering Jasmine: The Enchanting Beauty of the Night
Night-flowering jasmine, also known as Parijat, is a plant steeped in mystique, fragrance, and folklore. This delicate yet powerful flower is renowned for its intoxicating scent and its unique blooming habit—it comes to life at night and wilts with the first rays of sunlight. Found in South Asia and Southeast Asia, this small yet divine tree holds cultural, medicinal, and ornamental significance.
Botanical Overview
Scientific Name: Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
Common Names: Night-flowering jasmine, Parijat, Coral Jasmine, Harsingar
Family: Oleaceae
Native Region: South Asia, Southeast Asia
Blooming Season: Late summer to early winter
Unique Feature: Flowers bloom at night and fall by dawn, forming a fragrant carpet beneath the tree
The Mythology and Cultural Significance of Parijat
Night-flowering jasmine is deeply embedded in Hindu mythology and Indian folklore. It is often called the "Tree of Sorrow" because of its tendency to shed its flowers, yet it is also a symbol of divine beauty and love.
Hindu Mythology One of the most famous legends surrounding the Parijat tree is its connection to Lord Krishna. According to mythology, the celestial Parijat tree was brought to Earth by Krishna from Indra’s heaven. However, his two wives, Satyabhama and Rukmini, quarreled over the divine tree. To resolve the dispute, Krishna planted the tree in Satyabhama’s garden, but its flowers always fell into Rukmini’s courtyard, symbolizing love, devotion, and destiny.
In another tale, Parijat is believed to have grown from the ashes of Princess Parijataka, who could not bear her unrequited love for the Sun God, Surya. Her sorrow transformed into this tree, which refuses to bloom in sunlight, only unfolding its beauty at night.
Religious Importance
The flowers of the Night-flowering jasmine are considered sacred and are often used in Hindu rituals and prayers.
They are offered to Lord Vishnu, Shiva, and Lakshmi as a mark of devotion.
In some parts of India, the tree is also associated with peace, enlightenment, and spiritual growth.