Did you know that Champaka or Sampige tree and its flower, known universally by the botanical name Michalea champaca and of the Magnoliaceae family, is very fragrant to a point where it will intoxicate you?
Champaka, known as Champa in Sanskrit, and also Sampige in Kannada, is a tree which blooms with flowers known for its fragrance. Its scientific botanical names is Michelia champaca or Magnolia champaca of the family of Magnoliaceae (family which has about 219 species throughout the world) is also called the Joy perfume tree or yellow jade orchid tree in English. The other Indian names of Champaka are : Tita- sopa in Assamese, Champa in Bengali, Sachochampo in Gujarati, Pudchampo in Konkani, Leihao in Manipuri, Chompa in Oriya, Pivalu Champa in Nepali, Sambagam in Tamil, Champangi in Telegu and Champa in Urdu.
It is native to India and South East Asia. It is a medium-large, tropical, evergreen tree and grows very tall and with wide canopy. It grows to a height of 50 feet or above. The bark is grey in colour and smooth. The shoots, young petioles (the stock attaching the leaf blade) and the leaf blades are pale yellow and silky. Leaves are ovate. Flowers are long, inverted, lance shaped with thin petals. The flowers have a long protruding tip. Flowers are found in white, yellow or orange colours, and is thus cultivated for its flowers and ornamental use. The flowering season is from May- December, emitting an exquisite and heady fragrance just before sunset, when they bloom.
Sampige or Champaka is one of the most beloved trees in Bangalore, a street in Malleswaram is named Sampige Road, which is a delight to the eyes and nostrils when the flowers on it are in full bloom, with flowers of different shades. Jaganmohan Palace grounds in Mysore have some of the oldest Sampige trees that are around 40 to 50 feet in height. Dodda Sampige is an ancient tree in Biligrirangana Betta (BR HIlls), which means “big sampige", which is venerated. Though distorted with age, all knotted up and huge, it said to be several thousand years old, as it is believed to have been planted by sage Agastya. The town Sampige in Karnataka, also known as Champakapuri Kshetra, is named after the Kannada word for the Champak tree, and the Lord in the temple here is also called Sampige Srinivasa.
In the Indian context, Champaka is a holistic flower with hundreds of references in the folk lore and legends of Hindu mythology. Linked to a mythological story, sage Narada cursed the tree for lying saying that its flowers would never be used for worship of Shiva as the tree did not tell him the truth when he found a deceitful Brahmin was collecting it from the tree and offering it to Lord Shiva, who had liked the flower. He also cursed the Brahmin for lying saying that he would be born as a demon and will attain moksha when he gets killed in the hands of Lord Rama. In Bhagavad Purana, it is mentioned that next to the Bindu Sarovar Lake, Sage Kardama performed austerities and that the lake was surrounded by fragrant, and spiritually elevating trees and flowers, among which Champaka is mentioned. It is also mentioned in Shiva Purana, that Mount Kailash was surrounded by fragrant trees, and Champaka was one among the trees. It is said in the Bhagavatam, that the Vrajas of Vrindavan would talk to the Champaka treees, asking them if they had seen their beloved Lord Sri Krishna pass by. Hence, the tree is grown in many temple precincts as it is considered particularly sacred to Krishna. It forms one of the five flower-darts of Kamadeva (Cupid). Champaka flowers along with Ashoka and Punnaaga adorn the locks of the Mother Goddess Lalitambika. The species is protected from logging in some states of India, especially in the Southwestern region, where certain groves are considered sacred by Hindus and Buddhists. According to Tibetan beliefs, the Buddha of the next era will find enlightenment under the white flower canopy of the Champaka tree.
Champaka tree is rich in medicinal properties, and is used in several ayurvedic preparations. The leaves, root, root bark, flowers, fruit and oil are used for its medicinal value. The flowers possess antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antimicrobial activities. Its timber is used in woodworking for furniture making, construction, and cabinetry as its wood is finely textured, dark brown and olive-colored wood.
Rabindranath Tagore in his long poem on Champa Flower, dedicated to his mother, said: "Supposing I became a champa flower, just for fun, and grew on a branch high up that tree, and shook in the wind with laughter and danced upon the newly budded leaves, would you know me, mother?
Narasipur Char
