Lotus is the national flower of india
Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn) is the National Flower of India. It is a sacred flower and occupies a great position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture since time immemorial.
India is rich in flora and fauna. Currently available data places India in the tenth position in the world and fourth in Asia in plant diversity. From about 70 per cent geographical area surveyed so far, 47,000 species of plants have been described by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI).
Significance Of Lotus Flower in Indian Culture
In Hinduism, a lotus flower has a mythological significance for the Hindu deities, Vishnu and Lakshmi are usually depicted standing on a pink lotus flower and the goddess Saraswati tends to be depicted on a white-coloured lotus.
Also, God Vishnu is also described as the “Lotus-Eyed One”. Signifying divine beauty that grows from the mud into a beautiful flower, a lotus flower also represents the purity of body, speech and mind in Buddhism. As the flower floats above muddy waters, it also represents attachment and desire hence a flower that is adored by one and all.
10 lines on lotus flower
- As lotus flowers have the ability to remove polluting compounds and heavy metals from wastewater, these flowers are efficiently used for wastewater treatment.
- These flowers are also ideal for use in protein bioengineering processes because they contain thermal-stable proteins characterized by seed longevity used for cell protection and repair under stress.
- Lotus rhizomes, leaves, seeds and flowers are used in folk medicines, Ayurveda, Chinese traditional and oriental medicine.
- Lotus leaves are used for treating hematemesis, epistaxis, and hematuria, while flowers are used for treating diarrhea, cholera, fever, and hyperdipsia.
Interesting facts About Lotus Flower
Here are some unique as well as common facts about the lotus flower that is also the national flower of India.
| National Flower of India – Lotus – Interesting Facts |
| The National flower of India is the icon of veracity. The Hindu religion and mythology depict goddess Saraswathi, on a lotus flower as a goddess of Learning/Education |
| The lotus flourishes in freshwater lakes in the semitropical climates |
| The lotus is found in white, red, blue, pink, and purple color and is found mainly in Asian countries |
| Lotus denotes wealth, mysticism, knowledge, productiveness and enlightenment. In India, it is considered as the sign of triumph |
| It is a sacred flower and occupies a distinctive position in the art and mythology of ancient India |
| Along with cultural significance, the seeds of Lotus are used for medicinal purposes like the treatment of heart ailments, spleen, and kidney |
| The seeds, leaf, roots and leaf stalk of the Lotus are edible and they are consumed as vegetable in India |
| It has been a fortune symbol of Indian culture since time immemorial |
| Lotus is adored and considered as a sacrosanct flower in Buddhism as well |
Interesting Facts about Lotus for UPSC
- Apart from being the national flower of India, Lotus is also the National Flower Of Vietnam. The pink coloured flower is the National symbol of both the countries.
- Though a lotus flower is only approximately 49 inches in height, the flower can spread as long as 10 feet horizontally in water.
- Believe it or not, but the seeds of a Lotus flower have an ability to germinate even after 1300 years of dormancy.
- This beautiful flower blooms only in the morning and closes at night.
- In Buddhism, a golden lotus is a symbol of complete enlightenment.
- Lotus flowers contain air pockets to retain buoyancy on the surface of a body of water.
- More than 740,000 acres of Chinese land is devoted to lotus cultivation, and lotuses are usually cultivated in a crop rotation system with rice and vegetables.
- Many parts of a lotus flower are edible including the stems as well as the flower.
Best Climate For Lotus Flower
A lotus flower tends to grow best in warmer climates however this does not mean that they cannot flourish in shady areas. However, in desert areas, it is preferable to cover these flowers in shade to avoid the scorching heat of the sun. A lotus flower is required to be kept at a temperature of at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit throughout summer for it to flourish in the best possible way. A lotus flower does best in about 18 inches or even deeper water. The flower is extremely adaptable to different water chemistries but you need to be wary of growing them in very hard and alkaline water that’s full of minerals. This is because they can accumulate the minerals in the water over time, thus harming the plant. If you are willing to grow lotus plants in a pot, it is advisable to flush out any hard water with fresh water to replace evaporation.
How To Grow A Lotus Flower
While it is unusual to grow a lotus flower at home, you can surely do so by following these easy steps:
- Purchase the seeds of this flower from any local retailer.
- Now place these seeds in a glass or a bowl of warm water. Remove seeds that float because they show infertility.
- Notice the seeds for any roots emerging out of them and change the water daily.
- When you notice roots, fill a small pot with loose garden loam and make an indentation in the top. Take these sprouted seeds and place them in the pot covering them lightly with garden loam.
- Now place the pot containing the transplant in a container that holds two inches of water. Make sure that the water is warm and kept at a consistent two-inch depth.
- Keep the container in a sunny spot so that the plant receives at least 8 hours of sunlight. Keep the plant in the same spot until it develops more roots and leaves.
- Once the plant develops stronger roots and leaves transfer it to its final aquatic home.
Caring And Cultivation of Lotus Flower
- Do not fertilise the lotus plant for the first year after it is planted.
- You can fertilize an established lotus plant every 3 or 4 weeks to enhance its growth.
- The plant’s roots must be kept from freezing.
- Remember to cut off the plant’s yellow foliage in late fall and move the plant to the deepest part of the pond.