National Flower – Lotus
- Lotus (Nelumbo nucipera gaertn) is the National Flower of India.
- It is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture since time immemorial.
- The Lotus Flower symbolizes divinity, wealth, knowledge and enlightenment.
- Untouched by the impurity despite growing in mud, the flower is also meant to symbolize the purity of heart and mind.
- Similarly the spiritual mind has to endure all adversities with a smile. Lotus represents detachment. The water touches it but cannot make it wet.
Suggested Group Activities :
- Make a field visit to the nearby lotus pond and enjoy the divinity in the creation of lotus.
- As a group discuss the benefits of lotus flower, stem, and leaves for the human society (for example, wick-out of stem, leaves for eating and packing food, and edibleness of the center portion of the flower) and make an album.
- Enact stories like Gajendra Moksha, Lord Guruvaurappan and enjoy.