The lotus flower, revered for its ability to blossom in muddy water while retaining its purity, symbolizes life's potential and spiritual enlightenment. Its significance in Hinduism is profound, ...

Sacred to the Egyptians, the gorgeous lotus is the national flower of India and believed by Buddhists to have sprung from the earth to proclaim the birth of Buddha. It is also the symbol of purity.

Nestled high in West Himalaya, India’s Valley of Flowers National Park is renowned for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and outstanding natural beauty. This richly diverse area is also home to ...

This story appears in the May 2017 issue of National Geographic magazine. A few years ago I was on an assignment in India. I had a day off, so I went to the Mullick Ghat flower market in Kolkata.