Dr H N BAJAJ - A POLYMATH

  Nag Panchami falls on the fifth day of the waxing moon fortnight in the holy month of Sharavana. Hence the appellation’Panchami.’ It is a day devoted to the worship of Nagas or Snake Deities. Hinduism is replete with snakes that hold significance. Ananta and his brother Vasuki are closely associated with Vishnu ji and Bholey Nath Ji respectively. The serpent Kaliya terrorised those who crossed the River Yamuna till Lord Krishna subdued him. Mansa Devi is worshipped and the faithful believe that she protects against snake bites. Carvings of snakes are crafted in stone and placed beneath pipal trees or banyan trees, or adjacent to temples in South India. Snakes as Nagas or the snake gods command much respect, particularly cobras.  On the day of Nag Panchami, snakes are offered milk, flowers and rice. These are placed at locations where snakes abound. Ladies draw the images of snakes on doors at the entrance of the house to attract good vibes and ward off evil. Fasting and pray...

Monstera deliciosa is so named because of the large size of its leaves and because it produces a delicious fruit that is said to have the flavors of both a banana and a pineapple. It is known as the Swiss Cheese Plant because the fenestrations in its leaves resemble the holes seen in Swiss cheese varieties like Emmental.  THE MAGNIFICENT MONSTERA PLANT - HOW WAS IT NAMED?  Many explorers may contribute to the discovery of a plant, but the credit for doing so is often elusive. One such person is Charles Plumier, who, on a trip to the Americas, discovered this plant in the lush and steamy jungles of Central America. (1) He named the plant Arum hederaceum, amplis foliis perforatis, the Latin meaning being a plant in the arum family with perforated leaves.  Discoveries of new plants are made by explorers who may face perilous challenges while trudging through tropical forests in search of new flora and fauna. But there is another kind of explorer who sits at his desk and stud...