Shivalingapoo - And when the fragrance fills the air

I have been in love with this tree (Couroupita guainensis ) for some time now!!! Can’t get over it... there are some other trees too! But Shivalinga poovu or Nagalinga poovu, the flowers of this tree are so mesmerising and captivating that every time I walk by it to the temple nearby, I seem to stand still. The fragrance reaches even before you cross the gate. I inhale it deeply trying to make it linger for long! The hues, the uncommon shape, the texture is all so alluring!! I am always transported to Sree Raghavendra temple in Bengaluru. That was where I first fell in love with these divinely fragrant blossoms!!! I was 8 years old then.

I still remember the lush green garden with low hanging branches with fragrance in the air (not only of the flowers but also the incense from the temple) that each time I entered it, it would get me into a dream-like existence with prayers in the background. That vast expanse (or so I imagine) that I left many years back is still fresh in memory maybe with the romantic, the nostalgic adage that very often evolves and gets attached to it with passing years particularly with something from childhood. The strong-hued colors, the rich texture, the exceptional shape, the intoxicating fragrance are all so engraved, to stay forever with me. I was afraid to touch it though, as a kid, as it was considered that there would be a lot of serpents around the tree and to vouch for that the exotic flower did have a serpent-head-like form in its center.

Couroupita guainensis

from the nearby ashram compound where is situated a temple

Shivalingapoo or Nagalingapoo

shivalingapoo

...this is nowhere near its true self

Here, the colours aren’t true, I have tried a variation in colours. I haven’t been able to quite catch the exact beauty of the flower. I think it’s a "lesson" again...but hey, I will keep trying! I feel it's unfinished too...will work a little more on it.

Linking to the gorgeous ladies in PPF...thanks Eva and Kristin for hosting it.