Brahm Kamal – State flower of Uttaranchal

Uttaranchal is blessed with natural beauty. God had poured all beauty here. All species in Uttaranchal are filled with beauty whether it is plants or animal. Among these beautiful thing natives has chosen some of the most beautiful things, and these are known as its State identification. State flower, State animal, State bird etc

Brahma Kamal is the state flower of Uttaranchal and the scientific name of Brahma kamal is Saussurea Obvallata. Brahma kamal is off white flower which known a variety of cactus. The fragrance of this flower is intense. This flower blooms at the upper limit of high altitude (3000mt to 4000mt) in the midst of rocks where the snow never melts and it blooms in the midnight and shrink till morning, believed to be lucky to see it when it blooms.

There is a legend behind this flower that during the exile of Pandavas stay at Pandukeshwar. One day while Druapadi (wife of Pandavs) were bathing in the Alaknanda river, she saw a beautiful white flower in the current of river and it vanished suddenly. Draupadi requested Bhim to search for flower, when Bhim brought that flower she worshiped the God by this flower.

The Brahma Kamal named after Lord Brahma (creator of universe).This flower known as a spiritual flower among the natives of Garhwal. This is flower which is offer to lord Vishnu at Badrinath dham. In the month of September-October during festival of Nanda Ashtami this flower is offered in the temples and Brahm Kamal is dispersed as Prasad. To offer this flower to goddess Nanda,m local young boys go to the high mountains in the midnight and pluck the flower. This is an auspicious flower which is also used in medicines.

Brahma Kamal mostly found in the Panchkedar, Sahstratal, Nandikund, Kedarnath, Valley of flowers, Satopant etc. Indian Postal department has also issue a stamp with Brahm Kamal photograph to in honor of the flower.