Nakshatra Vana – Medicinal Plant Garden of Sringeri Sharada Peeta

Nakshatra Vana, located at Menase on the outskirts of Sringeri in Karnataka, is a medicinal plant garden and nursery of Sringeri Sharada Peeta. Here you will find a collection of medicinal plants, trees, flowers, fruit bearing trees mentioned in various Hindu scriptures. Nakshatra Vana also contains plants related to the birth stars of a person. There is also a Navgraha Vana which contains plants related to the Navgrahas.

Jagadguru Shankaracharya established four centers in the four corners of India for the safeguard and propogation of the four Vedas and appointed each of his prime ascetic disciples as the heads of each centre respectively. Sringeri Sharada Peeta is one of the four centers.

Deccan Herald reports 

Nakshatra vana has plants related to stars. It is believed that worshipping the plants of one’s star is good for the welbeing. Ashwini nakshatra— Strychnos nux vomica (Poison nut), Bharani nakshatra— Embilica officionalis (Amla), Krithika nakshatra— Ficus racemosa (Fig), Rohini nakshathra— Syzygium jambolanum (Jamoon), Poorvabhadre- neem, Utharabhadre- mango, and so on. Next to the Nakshatra Vana is Navagraha vana wherein there are plants identified with planets. They are Shani—Shami, Raahu—Doorve, Kethu—Darbe, Soorya—Ekka, Guru—Ashwatha, Angaraka—Khadira Budha—Utharani, Shukkra—Athi, Chandra—Muthuga. 

The grove also includes medicinal plants found in Western Ghats. There are over 120 medicinal plants. The grove also has a nursery with medicinal plants. It is a treasuretrove for those who have knowledge on ayurveda. 

 There are varieties of fruit bearing trees, roses and hibiscus plants in the vana. The flowers needed fo the Sharada Mutt is supplied from here. Mango, jackfruit, sapota and other fruit bearing trees have been grown using organic manure.  The vana has been developed under the guidance of Gopalakrishna and is open for public till 7 pm.