In ancient mythology, particularly in the “Shiv Purana,” Rudraksha is believed to be the cherished tree of Lord Shiva, flourishing in the sacred land of Gauda (present-day Gangetic plains and the foothills of the Himalayas).
Studies reveal that Rudraksha trees are predominantly found in the Southeast Asian islands of Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Bali, and Timor (Indonesia), as well as in parts of South Asia, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Burma, Myanmar, Tibet, Thailand, Malaysia, India, and even parts of northern Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji, the Philippines, South China, Japan, and Hawaii.
Botanical Classification:
- Botanical Name: Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnolipsida
- Family: Elaeocarpaceae
- Genus: Elaeocarpus
- Species: E. serratus Linn., E. ganitrus Roxb., etc.
The name “Elaeocarpus” originates from Greek, where Elaei refers to the ‘wild olive’ tree, and Carpus means ‘fruit.’ Therefore, Elaeocarpus refers to the fruit of trees resembling wild olive species.
Regional Names of Rudraksha:
Rudraksha is known by various names across different languages:
| Language | Local Name |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi | Rudraksha |
| Bengali | Rudrakaya |
| Kannada | Rudrakshi |
| Tamil | Akkamrudrakai |
| Telugu | Rudraksha Halu |
| English | Woodenbegar |
Geographic Distribution:
The Rudraksha tree spans regions from Manila (Philippines) through Myanmar, extending across Northeast India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Today, it is primarily found in Eastern Nepal, where the climate is most favorable for its growth.
Approximately 70% of the world’s Rudraksha trees are located in Indonesia, 25% in Nepal, and 5% in India. Initially discovered in Indonesia, the tree is now cultivated in Nepal and other regions with suitable climates. Rudraksha beads are known for their stress-relieving properties and their potential to reduce circulatory problems.
Botanical Description of the Rudraksha Tree:
Rudraksha is an evergreen, broad-leaved tree that thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, growing at altitudes ranging from sea level up to 2,000 meters.
Tree Size:
Rudraksha trees can grow between 50 to 200 feet in height, with some trees reaching between 14.6 meters and 29.2 meters tall, depending on the local climate. The diameter of the trunk can reach up to 1.22 meters.
Tree Shape:
The trunk of the Rudraksha tree is cylindrical, with a rough, grayish-white bark. The tree’s crown forms a pyramidal shape, and its leaves resemble those of the mango tree. These leaves are about 17.78 cm in length and 2.54 cm to 4.45 cm in width. Initially light green, the leaves mature into deep green and eventually transition to a reddish-yellow hue before falling. Read more in our article about scientific research on rudraksha at this link.
Flowers and Fruits:
Rudraksha flowers bloom in April and May, emitting a mild fragrance similar to raat ki rani. These flowers appear in small bunches, smaller than the leaves.
Fruits appear in June and ripen by August-October. The fruits are globular, with a fleshy exterior that begins green, turning bluish-violet upon ripening, and finally becoming deep brown and black when fully mature.
Rudraksha Beads:
The seeds of the Rudraksha fruit are the famous beads, which are hard and covered with rough grooves. The bead has a central cavity from which several clefts extend, forming individual compartments, each housing a seed. These clefts are visible on the outside, and their joints are known as mukhi or dhari.
Cultivation of Rudraksha Trees:
Cultivating Rudraksha trees is a challenging process. The seeds take 1-2 years to sprout, depending on soil humidity. The trees thrive in subtropical climates with temperatures ranging between 25-30°C. The tree begins producing fruit after about seven years. Remarkably, a single tree can produce beads with varying numbers of facets (mukhis). While the most common bead is the five-faceted panchmukhi, Rudraksha beads with up to 21 faces have been found, and even rarer specimens with 22 to 29 facets have been documented.
The local environment plays a significant role in the bead’s size and potency. For example, beads from the Himalayan region are typically larger, heavier, and considered more powerful.
Ornamental Use:
Aside from its spiritual and medicinal significance, Elaeocarpus trees are also planted for ornamental purposes due to their striking blue fruit clusters, which add a scenic aesthetic to the landscape.
For more information on botanical standardization and classifications, visit Wikipedia’s Botanical Classification page.
