Valuable Rudraksha

Rudraksha is one of the most valuable NTFP found in Nepal that has been used since time immemorial. In Nepal it is found in places as Bhojpur, Sankhuwasabha, Udayapur, Kathmandu, Sunsari etc. The tree is a perennial that grows throughout the year. The main trunk of the Rudraksha tree is cylindrical with a greyish white and rough textured bark. In nature, leafy crown of a Rudraksha tree takes a pyramidal shape. The leaves of Rudraksha tree are shinning green on the upper side with a dull leathery dorsal side. Rudraksha flowers are white with fringed petals and they appear in April-May. Rudraksha fruits appear in June and ripen by August - October. They are globular in shape with a fleshy exterior. The bead present inside is hard and tubercle. The Rudraksha fruit is blue in color but turns black when dried. The central hard Rudraksha uni-seed may have 1 to 21 faces. Rudraksha seeds are covered by an outer shell of blue color when fully ripe, and for this reason they are also known as blueberry beads.