domingo, 8 de junio de 2014
NATIONAL HERITAGE ANIMAL
Asian elephant is the National Heritage Animal of
India. This status was given to this animal due to the decline in its
polulation. The Environment and Forest Ministry recommended to give this title
to this species and the Elephant Task Force was approved by the standing
committee of National Board of Wildlife on October 13 2010. There are over
25,000 elephants in the country, including 3,500 in zoos and temples-- specially
in Kerala and north-eastern parts of India.NATIONAL BIRD
Indian Peafowl is the national bird of India.
Prominent in many cultures, the peacock has been used in numerous iconic
representations, including being designated the national bird of India in 1963.
The peacock, known as Mayura in Sanskrit, has enjoyed a fabled place in India
since and is frequently depicted in temple art, mythology, poetry, folk-music
and traditions.
Many Hindu deities are associated with the bird, Krishna is
often depicted with a feather in his headband, while worshippers of Shiva
associate the bird as the steed of the God of war, Karthikeya (also known as
Skanda or Murugan). In Buddhist philosophy, the peacock represents
wisdom.Peacock feathers are used in many rituals and ornamentation. Peacock
motifs are widespread in Indian temple architecture, old coinage, textiles and
continue to be used in many modern items of art and utility.
NATIONAL FRUIT
The species was brought to East Asia around 400-500
BCE from India. Mango is the national fruit of India, Philippines and Pakistan.
It finds mention in the songs of 4th century CE Sanskrit poet, Kalidasa, prior
to it is believed to have been tasted by Alexander (3rd century BCE) and
Chinese pilgrim, Hieun Tsang (7th century CE).
Later in 16th century Mughal
Emperor, Akbar planted 100,000 mango trees in Darbhanga, Bihar at a place now
known as Lakhi Bagh In Hinduism, the
perfectly ripe mango is often held by Lord Ganesha as a symbol of attainment,
regarding the devotees potential perfection. Mango blossoms are also used in
the worship of the goddess Saraswati. Mango leaves are used to decorate
archways and doors in Indian houses and during weddings and celebrations like
Ganesh Chaturthi. Mango motifs and paisleys are widely used in different Indian
embroidery styles, and are found in Kashmiri shawls, Kanchipuram silk sarees,
etc. Paisleys are also common to Iranian art, because of its pre-Islamic Zoroastrian
past. In Tamil Nadu, Mango is considered, along with Banana and jack fruit, as
the Three royal fruits (Mukkani).
STATE EMBLEM
The emblem forms a part of
the official letterhead of the Government of India, and appears on all Indian
currency as well. It also sometimes functions as the national emblem of India
in many places and appears prominently on the diplomatic and national Passport
of the Republic of India. The wheel "Ashoka Chakra" from its base has
been placed onto the center of the National Flag of India.
FLORAL EMBLEM
Nelumbo nucifera, or simply Lotus, is the Floral
emblem 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 reason this flower was chosen is because it
signifies that which keeps itself pure even when living in a rough environment
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