सनातन पुस्तकालय Sanatan Cultural Library

The banni is the Kannada name of the shami tree (Prosopis cineraria), a hardy, deep-rooted tree of dry lands that scripture and folk memory alike associate with hidden fire and victory. The best-loved story is from the Mahabharata: entering their thirteenth year of exile in disguise, the Pandavas wrapped their weapons and hid them high in a shami tree outside Virata's city. When the year ended, Arjuna took down the Gandiva from its branches and revealed himself in battle — and tradition fixes that day as Vijayadashami. The tree that kept the heroes' weapons safe became the tree of victory, honoured before any great undertaking; tradition also holds that Rama worshipped the shami before his march on Lanka. Kings therefore rode out on Vijayadashami to worship the banni at the edge of their capital — the rite of seemollanghana, 'crossing the frontier' — turning the day into an auspicious beginning for every venture.

On Vijayadashami afternoon or evening, families and communities gather at a banni tree — often one long venerated at a village edge or temple compound. The trunk is smeared with turmeric and kumkuma, water and flowers are offered, lamps are lit, and prayers are made for victory in the year's undertakings. Then comes the custom Kannadigas cherish most: sprigs of banni leaves are plucked and exchanged hand to hand as bangaara — gold. Youngsters place the leaves in elders' hands and bow for blessings; friends and neighbours trade them with wishes of prosperity, the leaf standing for real wealth in the year ahead. In Mysuru the custom is woven into royal ceremony: the Dasara procession marches to Bannimantap, the 'ground of the banni tree', where the shami was traditionally worshipped at the climax of the Jamboo Savari. Maharashtra keeps a close cousin of this exchange with shami and apta leaves.

The shami tree does not grow in Canada, so diaspora families keep the essence of the custom rather than its botany. On Vijayadashami — computed for Ottawa's timezone on this site's calendar — households perform their ayudha or workspace pooja, honour their tools, books and instruments, and begin something new, since the day is counted auspicious for fresh starts without consulting further muhurta. The exchange of blessings survives beautifully even without banni leaves: many families exchange any fresh green leaves, or simply sweets, with the traditional words, while elders bless the young. Some keep a photograph or drawing of the shami in the pooja area for the day's worship. Watching the Bannimantap ceremonies of Mysuru Dasara on a live stream is a favourite way to close the festival. Check your local temple for Vijayadashami programmes in Ottawa.