India, the country with divinity and beliefs. We can proudly speak about our rich culture, especially our beliefs on God and Goddess. In whole universe our country is the only one which as given holy place to birds, animals, flowers, more importantly whole nature is worshipped and given god’s place.
There are vareity of flowers some we grow in our homes too. One of them flower has been treated as the sacred plant. Brahma Kamala – a rare and mythological plant of India and is treated as a sacred plant. It is commonly known as night blooming cereus, queen of the night, lady of the night as its beautiful lotus like flower blooms late night.
Flower heads are purple, hidden from view in layers of yellowish-green papery bracts, which provide protection from the cold mountain environment. The flowers can be seen from July through September, after which the above-ground portions of the plant die back, becoming visible again in April.
Having the scientific name Saussurea Obvallata, is a flowering plant of the Asteraceae family. It is a rare plant with attractive large flowers, mainly found in the Himalayan region. Brahma Kamala plant has a great spiritual significance.
It is believed that Lord Brahma, the God of creation, sat on this flower while meditating. The Brahma Kamala flower blooms only once a year and for one night only. It blooms between July and August. The fragrant plant is often used in religious ceremonies. The flower has been mentioned in many ancient texts.
Hindu mythology states that the flower sprang from Brahma’s head when he created the universe. The Rigveda, a sacred Hindu text, mentions the Brahma Kamala plant in several hymns. This flower was also worshipped by the ancient Greeks and Romans, who associated it with their Goddesses of love and fertility.The Brahma Kamala flower symbolises purity and innocence and is believed to have magical properties.
This flower is also used as the medicinal plant. In Ayurvedic medicine, there are various Brahma Kamala medicinal uses, such as its use in the treatment of a wide range of problems and illnesses, including fevers, colds, flu, bronchitis, and asthma. The plant can also help treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia.The thick curved root of the plant is applied to bruises and cuts, as part of local medicine.
This flower is the state flower of Uttarakhand.
We can grow Brahma Kamala plants indoors or outdoors. The light should be bright but not direct sunlight. Make sure to keep the temperature between 18°C-25°C. Rich soil is preferred.
A postal stamp featuring the image of the flower and labeled Sassurea Obvallata in English and Brahma Kamala in the Devanagari script was issued by the Indian Government in 1982.