Arka plant (giant milkweed or bowstring hemp) in Hinduism is associated with Surya, sun god, and Hanuman. The plant is known as akanda in Bengali, chuvannaerikk in Malayalam, erukku in Tamil and malaiyeruku in Telugu. Arka means anything that radiates. Arka leaves are offered to Surya, Hanuman, Ganesha. Arka has been given all the names that are attributed to the sun. Traditionally, the leaves of the arka plant are used for bathing ritual on Ratha Saptami (February) when the sun’s rays change direction before the onset of summer. The leaves of the arka plant are place on the shoulders and the thighs during bathing on the day of Ratha Saptami and it is believed that the water flowing over the leaves of the arka plant will sanctify the body. Whatever may be the reason for this belief, the fact is that arka is a medicinally valuable plant. The plant is a perennial climber with greenish white woody stems. It is found all over India in the plains and low hills, especially