Mysore: As part of the multi-faceted Naada Habba Dasara, Moolika Dasara was inaugurated by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar this afternoon at Chandravana, the garden of medicinal plants located near Kukkarahalli Lake on Bogadi road here to popularise the advantages of traditional medicine and medicinal plants.

The garden, a 4.5 acre plot belonging to Government Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital, will be open to public till Sept. 30, where medicinal plants will be on display and sale under the aegis of Moolika Dasara Sub-Committee.

Marking the Chandravanothsava, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar planted some saplings in the garden and went round it, appreciating the flora that have medicinal values.

She was accompanied by MLA Vasu, Government Ayurveda College Principal Dr. Satyanarayana Bhat and others.

There are more than 350 varieties of medicinal shrubs, plants and creepers at Chandravana, including 50-plus trees of medicinal value like Rakthachandana (Red Sanders), Honge (the seeds of which yield natural fuel), Seege, Bevu (Neem), Antwala (Soapnut), etc.

Among the medicinal shrubs are Tulasi (Basilicum sanctum), Naagadhali (Ruta graveolens), Amruthaballi (Tinospora cordifolia), etc.

The theme of Moolika Dasara is “Hittalolagiralavva Hatthu Moolikegalu” (let there be the 10 medicinal plants in your backyard or garden). The 10 plants are: Chitramala (Plumbago zeylanica), Vondelaga (Centella asiatica), Madhunashini (Gymnema sylvestre), Aadusoge (Adhatoda vasica), Nelabevu (Andrographis paniculata), Dasawala (Hibiscus rosa sinensis), Lokki (Vitex negundo), Nugge or drumstick (Moringa oleifera), Doddapatre (Coleus aromaticus) and Pippali (Piper longum).