A couple of interesting tidbits.

1. The 'Parijata' flower.

Have you ever wondered as to why this flower blooms only during dark hours, from sunset to sunrise?

Well, as per Hindu mythology, 'Parijata' was a princess of an ancient Hindu kingdom. She was besotted by the strength and importance of the sun. She was also impressed with the deference shown by the people, in general, towards the sun in their day-to-day life and naturally fell in love with 'him'. The sun too reciprocated the feelings and hence, their wedding was fixed to take place on an auspicious day.

But, on the appointed day, the sun did not turn up and so the wedding had to be cancelled. Parijata was so incensed and sad at the fiasco, that she vowed to hate the sun from that day. And the Parijata flower is a consequential rebirth of her soul, in fulfillment of her vow!


2. The dilemma of the 'Burj Khalifa' residents.

Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building - 160 storeyed and 826 metres high - is located in Dubai. The building was inaugurated with much fanfare, sometime last year.

The Islamic affairs department of Dubai has told the residents living in the building to observe varied timings for beginning and ending their fasts during Ramadan, this year. (The reason is yet another illustration that highlights as to how man's work impinges upon nature's balances!) The greater the distance from the ground or higher the floor, the longer the duration of fasting because people on top of the tower witness the sunrise early and the sunset later than those on the ground floor.

Of course, the difference in timings is going to be only a matter of minutes and therefore, doesn't upset the people who go about their prayers with diligence!