Naga Lingam Flower

Of all the stories I searched, on the Shiva Linga flower, I found this one to be the most fascinating:

With blessings of Goddess Gomathy Amman, a couple named Shradha Devan and Shradha Devi had a son named Sujimanan.

Sujimanan grew up to be fine human being and a loving person. He proved to be an excellent King, who lived for his people and they looked up to him for their welfare. Through the 8lac years (legend has it so) that he lived and ruled, he pleased the Goddess Gomathy Amman with his righteousness; so much so that she made him into this beautiful Shiva Linga flower, after his death. Yes yes.... I did Google further but found nothing else on this King, but it does make a fine story doesn't it. The tree is indigenous to South and Central America and has deep religious significance in Asia.

The Shiva Linga or Cannon ball tree bears this beautiful Linga flower, that is held sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism. These are usually found in many Shiva and Buddhist temples and gardens across India and Thailand. It is believed that Lord Buddha was born under this Sala tree.

The petals of the Shiva Linga flowers that this tree bears, resemble the shape of a snake's hood protecting the lingam placed deep inside which is the stigma. Shiv Kamal or Kailaspati in Hindi, Nagalingam in Tamil, Nagalinga Pushpa in Kannada, and Nagamalli or Mallikarjuna in Telugu are some of the names in the many Indian languages we know.

The flowers live for half a day on the tree and forever in my heart and my canvas.