Page 2 - Apr-Jun 2013

T
F l o w r i n G M Y H s
e

Ancient Indian culture and literature is full of references of various flowers. Most of these flowers have names that are not
in common use now. There are several stories and folklore attached to flowers. Each one interesting and as colourful as the
flowers themselves!
DID YOU KNOW
PASSIONATE PARIJATA The word ‘puja’ is derived from the word ‘pushpam’

There are some interesting stories associated with the and ‘japa’.
flowers of the Parijata tree also called Prabhat Khirwar,Std. 10, Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, New Delhi
the harshringar. according to
mythology, Parijata is a heavenly ThE CuRSE Of ThE KETAKI flOwER
tree that was brought to according to a Puranic legend, once lord Vishnu
the earth by lord Krishna. and lord brahma were arguing over who is more
however, his two wives, powerful. To resolve the argument, lord shiva
satyabhama and rukmini, appeared in the form of a pillar of light and asked
fought over it as Krishna had planted the whoever would find the edge of the pillar would
tree in satyabhama's courtyard in such be declared the more powerful. in search of the
a way that when the tree flowered, the end of the pillar, lord Vishnu floated towards the
flowers fell in rukmini's courtyard. it is base but was unable to find it. lord brahma floated upwards
also said that the heavenly throne of but on the way came across a Ketaki flower who told him that
lord Vishnu is also placed under a flowering Parijata tree, she was returning from the top edge of the pillar. also unable
and hanuman lived under its shade. to find the edge of the pillar, lord brahma took the flower to
according to one of the myths, there used to be princess trick lord shiva into thinking that he had found the pillar’s
Parijathka. Once her sight caught the gleaming sun and she upper end. since the Ketaki had taken part in lord brahma’s
fell in love with him, but her love was never reciprocated. lie, lord shiva cursed the Ketaki that it would never be used
Parijathka was distressed and committed suicide, her leftover to worship him and even today, it is forbidden to worship
ash sprouted into the Parijata plant, also it is said that it lord shiva with Ketaki flowers.
blooms in the night and withers in the dawn since she can’t
bear to show her face to the sun. ThE MARIGOlD STORY
Gaurav Pati, Std. 6 Amity International School, Sec –VII, Pushp Vihar, The story of the origin of Marigold or ‘gaenda’
Delhi
as it is called in hindi can be traced back to the
legend of gondmuli, the god of gonds. gondmuli,
DIVINE OffERING however, was killed in a fierce battle with another Illustration by:
god. as his wife wept, she dropped her hairpin and Aniket R Singh,
in hinduism each deity has a the first marigold came into existence. Std. 7, Sherwood
specific flower with a specific Ananya Rajagopalan, Std. 9, Navy Children School, New Convent School,
colour associated with him or Delhi Gurgaon
her e.g while shiva is offered
white flowers, Kali is always flOwER SYMBOlS IN ChRISTIANITY
adorned with bright red flowers.
Kadamb, Champak and Champa The Passion flower represents Christ’s crucification and each
are ideal to attract the grace of part of the flower represents one aspect of the crucification.
Parvati. red flowers are offered The association of the lily flower with the Virgin Mary dates to
to goddess durga like the early Christianity. according to an apparent legend, her tomb
hibiscus. in a church too, fresh was filled with lilies after her assumption into heaven.
flowers are placed adding to the Tanmay Sharma, Std. 8, Suncity World School, Gurgaon
calm and serene atmosphere.
in a durgah an offering of a My flower Story
chaddar of flowers is made.
ask your elders, read, research and discover the myth of
your favourite flower.

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