Brahma Kamal flowers start blooming in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli

News: The rare Brahma Kamal, the only flower known to bloom after sunset and just once a year has been spotted in the higher reaches of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand.

Facts:

• Brahma Kamal (Saussurea Obvallata): It is a species of flowering plant native to the Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, India, Mongolia, Burma and southwest China.It is also the state flower of Uttarakhand.
• Named after? The flower is named after God Brahma who is believed to have created the universe.The flower only blooms for a few hours and is said to bring good luck and prosperity.
• Significance: The flower also finds itself mentioned in the scriptures and is offered in many holy shrines including Kedarnath, Badrinath and Tunganath.
• Uses: The flower is highly valued in Tibetan medicine and Ayurveda for its healing properties.It is extensively used by the local population to treat cuts and bruises.