Oryza sativa

Family: Gramineae
Sanskrit: Mana, Dhanya
Hindi: Dhan, Chaval
English: Rice

Oryza indica is the name of the rice variety produced in India. The name of a plant in multiple languages
can reveal information about its journeys. Rice is one of India's most significant food crops, feeding more
than 60% of the country's population. The area under rice crop expanded from 30.81 million hectares in
1950-51 to 43.86 million hectares in 2014-15, an almost 142% rise. Rice have various names in different
languages. For example, it is called Ari in Malayalam, whereas Chaaval is in Hindi.

As is generally known, few sacrificial ceremonies have persisted into modern Hinduism, which prefers
cooked rice, vegetables, and fruits as offerings. These are sanctified by being delivered to god and then
dispersed to the worshippers as divine Prasada or grace after the priest has kept his portion of the
offerings. Rice is the subject of many myths, legends, and folklore. Humans were given rice by gods or
goddesses who taught them how to grow it. In Asia, the rice spirit is generally a mother figure and is
feminine. In China, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, rice is used for religious purposes.

Kolam is a sketching style that uses rice flour, chalk, chalk powder, or rock powder to create. This is
considered lucky because it represents good fortune and money to the home and family. The month of
Margazhi was greatly anticipated by young women, who would then demonstrate their abilities by
covering the entire width of the road with one large kolam. Many of these created patterns were passed
down from mothers to daughters from generation to generation. Kolam is also mentioned in legends such
as the Ramayana, where Kolam is discussed in Sita's wedding pavilion. The Chola Rulers were
responsible for Kolam's cultural development in the South.

Rice is referenced for the first time in the Yajur Veda (c. 1500-800 B.C.) and is regularly discussed in
Sanskrit scriptures afterwards. Rice grains, it has been said in India, should be like two brothers, close but
not stuck together. Rice is generally connected with fertility and prosperity, which is why it is customary
to throw rice at newlyweds. Rice is always the first food served to babies when they begin eating solids in
India or to a husband by his new bride to ensure that they have children.

Many stories about Buddha's life include rice. The Buddhists revere rice since rice cooked in milk
restored Siddharta after his body became freed following extended meditation due to fasting and
austerities.
In Hinduism, the Ekadashi tithi is highly significant. On this day, Lord Vishnu is primarily worshipped. It
is believed that worshipping Vishnu and keeping the Ekadashi fast with complete devotion will help
achieve salvation and success in life.

Rice is used in naming rituals and birthday celebrations like Namkaran. It is also significant on Bhai
Dhooj (sister-brother day), Diwali (light festival), Makar Sakranti (January 13), and Pongal (Indian New
Year). Rice is significant in several Hindu samskaras, or rites of passage ceremonies that mark important
turning points in a person's life and personality development. One of the Sanskrit words for rice, dhaanya,
also means sustainer of the human race,' and it was the name of more than one ancient Indian king.
Rice's usage in traditional medicine and its use as a meal are inextricably linked. Brown rice and rice oil
derived from rice bran are the most common rice products used as medications. Research studies back up
some of its traditional uses. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna was so pleased with his
childhood friend Sudama's gift of two handfuls of roasted rice that he gave him the Earth and the Heavens
in exchange. He would have given Sudama the Cosmos if his queen, Rukmini, had not intervened.

The ancient Indus culture regarded the Divine Female as Mother Goddess or Devi. Indians were given
rice by goddesses such as Lakshmi, Gauri, and Saraswati, who also taught them how to grow it. It was a
common habit in ancient cultures to personify the beauty and wealth of the land as a goddess.
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