Brahma Kamal plant Vastu: Significance, benefits and care tips

Brahma kamal, having the scientific name saussurea obvallata, is a flowering plant of the Asteraceae family. It is a rare plant with attractive large flowers, mainly found in the Himalayan region. Brahma kamal plant has a great spiritual significance in India and Vastu Shastra recommends specific rules for keeping this plant in your home garden.

Read on to know more about the Brahma kamal plant and its benefits.

 

Brahma kamal plant: Quick facts

Plant name	Brahma Kamal plant
Scientific name	Saussurea obvallata
Found in	Himalayas (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and south-west China)
Flower	Purple flower heads are hidden in layers of yellowish-green bracts
Benefits	Used in traditional medicine and in some dishes such as soups and juices
Significance	An auspicious flower used to worship Lord Shiva in Hindu tradition. It is the official state flower of Uttarakhand.

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Brahma Kamal plant description

• The Brahma kamal flowers bloom during the mid-monsoon time at altitudes ranging around 3,700 to 4,600 metres. The flower heads are purple, concealed in layers of yellowish-green coloured papery bracts, protecting the plant from the cold environment.
• The flowers of Brahma kamal also referred to as Brahma kamalam, have the shape of a star with pleasant fragrance.
• It is a hermaphrodite, a flower containing male and female reproductive organs, pollinated by insects.
• The plant, also known as the orchid cactus, mainly belongs to the night-flowering species of cactus. The flowers blossom only during the night and remain open till sunrise. Thus, it is rare to witness the flower in full bloom.
• A single flower lasts only for one night. The average time for the buds to flower is around two to three weeks.
• The blooming season for flowers is spring to early summer.
• The saussurea obvallata is also known by different names such as the king of Himalayan flowers, the night blooming queen, the night blooming cereus, saussurea, dulhambul, hangal, burgundautoges, kadufful, dudhaful, geeks vision, and jungle cactus.
• The Brahma kamal flower appears white like a lotus with pink tips. The plant grows up to a height of four to five ft.
• The plant produces white, pink, and red coloured flowers. Some varieties have flowers in purple shades.

 

 

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Brahma Kamal mythological significance

As per the Hindu culture, the Brahma kamal plant is considered sacred. The flower is widely used for worshipping Lord Shiva, especially in the holy temples of Kedarnath, Badrinath and Tunganath. Brahma kamalam is named after Lord Brahma and is the same flower the deity holds in his hand. The flower signifies the divine birth of Lord Brahma, who is the creator of the universe, and who appeared from the lotus emerging from Lord Vishnu’s navel.

• Some people believe that offering this flower to Lord Shiva fulfils all wishes. Some also believe that wishing when the flower is blooming fulfils wishes.
• Moreover, the flower has a pleasant fragrance, which has a soothing effect on the mind and helps one achieve inner peace and tranquillity.
• According to popular belief, Lord Brahma created the Brahma Kamal plant. As mentioned in one story, Lord Brahma meditated on a lotus flower and he fell asleep. When he woke up, he saw that he had been transformed into a lotus. This flower was named the Brahma Kamal.
• It is also believed that Lord Brahma used the Kamal flower to create the universe. However, some believe that Brahma created the flower to help Lord Shiva in placing an elephant’s head on Lord Ganesha’s body. The flower dropped the elixir of life from its petals, thus bringing Ganesha back to life.
• According to another popular belief, Lord Vishnu used the Brahma Kamal flower to save his wife Lakshmi after a demon killed her.

 

Brahma Kamal Vastu significance

Moreover, the plant is believed to purify the environment and help keep it greener. According to Vastu Shastra, the Brahma kamal plant attracts happiness, good luck, and prosperity and maintains psychological balance in a person’s life. Moreover, the flower has the power to protect the owner from evil forces. As per Vastu rules, one should not buy, sell, or use Brahma kamal as a gift.

 

Brahma Kamal Cultural significance

The plant grows in the Himalayan region and hols great significance for the locals. The Brahma Kamal flower represents resilience and adaptability as it thrives in the difficult mountainous terrains. Some local communities celebrate the bloom of Brahma Kamal by dancing and singing.

In 1982, the Indian government issued a postal stamp featuring the image of the Brahma Kamal flower, labelled Sassurea obvallata in English and Brahma Kamal in the Devanagari script. In 2007, when the state of Uttarakhand was formed (changing its name from Uttaranchal, created in 2000), the Brahma Kamal flower was declared the state flower. The auspicious flowers are offered in the hill temples, including the shrine of Badrinath, Kedarnath and Tunganath.

Where to keep the Brahma kamal plant as per Vastu?

The Brahma kamal plant is a sacred plant, which should be kept in the centre of a house or the Brahmasthan, according to Vastu Shastra. As per beliefs, Lord Brahma and Vishnu reside inside the flower. This placement will help eliminate negative energies from the house and invite positive energies.

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Brahma kamal plant care

Location and sunlight

The Brahma kamalam plant requires indirect and continuous sunlight exposure. The plant leaves, which can also store water, will be sunburnt due to direct sunlight. They will turn pale.

Avoid changing the plant’s location frequently. Once the sign of budding is visible, do not change the placement of the plant till the plant stops flowering. Otherwise, the bud will not bloom.

Watering

Brahma kamal is a succulent plant that can retain water in its leaves in arid conditions. This characteristic makes the plant leaves soft and fluffy. Hence, watering must be done when the top layer of the soil dries up. You can find out if the soil has dried by touching its top surface.

Avoid overwatering. The leaves will become yellowish and brownish, a sign of root rot. Also, ensure watering directly over the soil instead of watering over the plant’s leaves to avoid fungal growth.

Temperature

Warm and normal humid climatic conditions are ideal for the Brahma Kamal plant to thrive. However, they must be protected from direct exposure to sunlight and strong heat or cold winds.  The suitable temperature for the Brahma Kamal plant ranges from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius.

Potting soil and repotting

The saussurea obvallata requires a fast-draining medium for growth. Hence, it is necessary to select the right potting soil for the plant. The succulent cannot grow in standing water. Thus, the potting soil required should mainly have sand and perlite. Remember to choose a container with a minimum of three to four drainage holes to allow the excess water to escape.

Repotting is required if the plant has outgrown the flowerpot, especially every two years. Remove the plant from the existing pot without damaging its root balls for repotting. Select a big-sized container and place the plant in a fresh potting mix. Avoid watering for a minimum of two days to allow the plant to recover from this change.

Fertilising

The plant requires good quality of fertilisers high in phosphorus. This helps the plant in producing flowers. The fertiliser should be added before and during the plant’s blooming season, in a gap of 25 to 30 days. Stop using the fertiliser once the flowering stops.

 

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How to grow Brahma Kamal plant?

You can easily grow the Brahma Kamal plant in your home garden from leaf cuttings. However, if you are growing the plant from seeds, it may take a longer time for the plant to grow, around five years. Hence, the leaf-cutting method is preferred by gardeners.

 

How to grow Brahma Kamalam plant from cutting?

Home gardeners can follow these simple steps to grow the Brahma Kamalam plant from leaf cuttings:

• Secure a lead cutting from a healthy Brahma kamalam plant. Make sure the size of the cutting is a minimum of 10 to 12 cms in length.
• Place the cutting in a dark place away from sunlight. Allow the cutting to form callus, a white-coloured protective layer.
• Prepare the potting soil by choosing fast-draining soil. You can prepare the potting mix by using 40% sand, 25% coco peat, 10% perlite, and 25% compost or vermicompost.

 

Is Brahma Kamal good for home?

If there is a home garden and favourable climatic conditions, you can consider growing the auspicious Brahma Kamal plant at home. Make sure to following the Vastu guidelines when growing the plant, which ensures success, prosperity and good luck.

 

What is the best direction to keep the Brahma Kamal plant?

The auspicious Brahma Kamal plant should be kept in the Brahmasthan or centre of the house. You can grow the plant in the north or northeast direction in the home garden. Make sure to keep the area clean and clutter-free.

 

Brahma Kamal: Uses

The Brahma Kamal plant, which grows in the Himalayan region, is used in traditional medicine by the locals. The plant’s thick curved root is applied to bruises and cuts. Other related species such as Kasturi Kamal, Snow Lotus, Phen Kamal and Grass-leaved Saw-wort have been popularly used as traditional medicine for curing several ailments.

The soup prepared from this plant is believed to treat liver inflammations and increase blood volume in the body. Besides, the plant is used for treating several ailments and conditions, including fevers, cough and cold.

Some of the popular benefits of the Brahma Kamal include:

• Lucky plant which can be used for auspicious occasions.
• It is used in the treatment of skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis.
• It helps in healing of wounds and burns.
• It has anti-cancerous properties.
• The plant has anti-inflammatory and tonic properties.
• It can be used as antipyretic, expectorant, diuretic and sedative.
• It helps in boosting immunity and fighting infections.

Uses of Brahma Kamal plant in Ayurvedic medicine

The Brahma Kamal flower is known to have immense health benefits according to Ayurvedic medicine. It is known to help in treating health problems such as cold, fever, flu, bronchitis, asthma, insomnia, anxiety and depression.

 

Brahma Kamal plant price

In India, the Brahma Kamal Plant is available for a price of around 200-400 per piece. The live plant can be purchased from stores online.

 

FAQs

Is Brahma kamal lucky?

As per Vastu Shastra, the Brahma kamal plant is considered as a sacred plant that brings happiness, good luck, prosperity, and protects the owner against negative energies.

Is Brahma kamal rare?

Brahma kamal is a rare flowering plant found in the Himalayas. The flowers bloom during the monsoon months from around August to the middle of September.

What is the Brahma Kamal flowering season?

The blooming time of Brahma Kamal is between the mid-monsoon months from July to October.

How much time it takes for a Brahma Kamal bud to flower?

The Brahma Kamal buds take around two to three weeks to bloom.

Why does the Brahma Kamal bloom only at night?

The sacred Brahma Kamal flower is known for its unique quality in that it only blooms at night and has a pleasant fragrance. This is attributed to the fact that the flower is in a hurry to attract its pollinators at night.

What is the English name for Brahma Kamal?

The botanical name of the Brahma Kamal plant is Saussurea Obvallata.

Are Brahma Kamal and Night Queen the same?

Yes. The Brahma Kamal flower is known as the night-blooming queen or the night queen.

Can we pluck Brahma Kamal at night?

As the Brahma Kamal flower only blooms after sunset, it can be plucked in the night if you want opened flowers. Keep it in a flower vase. The Brahma Kamal flower is usually plucked on Nandashtami, a festival celebrated in Uttarakhand, which is associated with goddess Nanda Devi.

What is the mystery of Brahma Kamal?

According to Hindu religious texts, the Brahma Kamal flower got its name when Brahma was born from a lotus emerging from Lord Vishnu's navel. Further, the Brahma Kamal is believed to be the favourite flower of Mother Nanda. Traditionally, the flower is plucked on Nanda Ashtami and seeing the flower bloom is considered to bring happiness and prosperity.

Why is Brahma Kamal not growing?

If you are growing the Brahma Kamal plant at home, make sure it receives adequate buy indirect sunlight. Avoid changing the plant’s placement till it stops flowering. Otherwise, the flower may not bloom.

Who is the king of Himalayan flowers?

The Brahma Kamal plant is also known as the King of Himalayan Flowers. It widely grows in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand and has great Vastu and cultural significance.

Is it lucky to see Brahma Kamal?

According to Vastu Shastra, the Brahma Kamal plant is considered an auspicious plant, which invites good luck and prosperity and grant wishes. It is also regarded as an excellent plant with healing properties. Blooming of the Brahma Kamal plant is a rare sight and many locals celebrate the bloom.

Can Brahma Kamal be grown at home?

Yes, the Brahma Kamal plant can be grown at home. You can grow the plant in partial shade and normal humid conditions.

Is Brahma Kamal considered lucky?

The Brahma Kamal is known to be a symbol of good luck and prosperity in different cultures and is known to attract positive energy and success.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com