The grass garlands that devotees offer to Ganesha are made
of Durva Grass. Durva Grass is also known as Darba, Dhub, Haritali and Arugam
Pullu. It is famous for its medicinal properties. Hindus offer the grass
garlands as a mark of respect, for desire fulfilment and also for thanking
Ganesha for fulfilling their wishes.
The story behind offering grass garlands offered to Ganesha:
Legend says that a demon named Anala had gained several
boons through years of penance. He had even got the boon of immortality. Anala
was also the son of Yama, the Hindu god of death.
People could no longer tolerate the destructive activities
of the demon. Therefore, saints, humans and Devas approached Ganesh for a
solution. He promised to help them.
But there was no way to annihilate Anala, so Ganesh simply
had to eat him alive. Now this divine act caused numerous problems like
heaviness and indigestion. To get relief from this constant problem, Ganesha
eats Durva Grass.
Devotees therefore provide Durva grass to Ganesha in the
form of offerings.
Today Durva grass is widely used in medicines meant to cure
indigestion and other stomach ailments.