Moduga flowers start blooming

• They bloom in summer as others wither away
• Known as fireballs because of their strikingly red colour
• Give vistas of sylvan charm in Adilabad

Nirmal (Adilabad): With the onset of Summer, while all the other leaves are withering away from the trees, the Moduga (Palash, bearing the scientific name Butea Frondosa) flowers start blooming. These flowers bloom during the festival of Mahashiva Rathri and considered to be the favourite flower of Lord Shiva.

In Adilabad district, the Moduga flowers are also known as Gogupoolu or Palasha. These trees, planted on either side of the road beatify the place and give vistas of sylvan charm. They are also popular as fireballs in the forests with their striking red colour. On the occasion of the Holi festival, these flowers are grinded and mixed in hot water to prepare coloured water during the festival.

Speaking to the media here on Wednesday, a Botanist, Dr J Rajeshwar said that the Moduga flowers also have medicinal properties and used by Ayurvedic doctors to heal diabetes.