India has several national symbols. Not only they are used in daily life of every Indian but some of them also hold the religious sentiments to them. You may find them in Indian Media, Indian scriptures, Indian literature and so on. It is important if I can show you these symbols so you can understand their linguistic, cultural as well religious significance in our Hindi post.

The national symbols include Lotus (National Flower), Royal Bengal Tiger (National Animal), Peafowl or Peacock (National Bird), Banyan Tree (National Tree), the Lion Capital of Ashoka (National Emblem), Indian Tricolor (National Flag), Saka calendar (National Calender), Ganga River Dolphins (National Aquatic Animal), Jana Gana Mana (National Anthem), Vande Matram (National Song) and Ganga/Ganges (National River). India also has National Personification in form of Bharat Mata Mother India.

National Flower of India

कमल (Kamal – Lotus) is the National Flower of India. It is considered very sacred by Hindu as it is associated with Hindu God Vishnu and Hindu Goddess Lakshmi and Sarasvati. The use of Lotus in Hindu traditions and rituals are normal.

National Animals of India

बाघ (Baagh – The Royal Bengal Tiger) is considered the National Animal of India. It is very spectacular animal with yellow color and black-colored random strips. This animal is considered sacred and associated with Hindu Goddess, Sherawali. Tiger was depict in very old artifacts found in Indus Valley Civilization which was around 4500 years old.

National Bird of India

मौर (Maur – Peacock) is the National Bird of India. It is very colorful in its appearance. It has a magnificent feathers which resembles eyes. It is sacred bird and associated with Hindu God, Krishna. It is also believed by many Indians that if Peacock is seen dancing, it indicates the incoming rain.

National Tree of India

बरगद (Bargad – Banyan Tree) is the National Tree of India. It is also called Indian or Bengal Fig. This tree is considered sacred in India and can be seen near a temple or religious center. It is a big tree and gives a lot of shades to traveler in very hot summer months. There is a old custom to offer worship to this tree.

National Fruit of India

आम (Aam – Mango) is the National Fruit of India. India is the leading producer of Mango and Mango is much loved by Indians in summer months. You can have delicious Mango Milk Shakes or enjoy the sweet pulpy flower. In India, we consider Mango as the King of Fruits.

National Emblem of India

The Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath from Ashoka Pillar is the National Emblem of India. This emblem consist of four Asiatic lions standing back to back mounted on a circular abacus, symbolizing power, courage, pride and confidence.

National Flag of India

Indian tricolor is the National flag of India. It is called तिरंगा (Tirangā) in Hindi. It consist of three colors saffron, white and India green in horizontal rectangles along with the Ashok Chakra which consist of a 24-spoke wheel in navy blue at its center.

National Calender of India

Saka Calender or Hindu Calender is the National Calender of India. Though, it is not used for the official purposes because of globalized economy and only Georgian Calender is used for all official purposes but it is used by astrologers, religious institutions and etc. House-hold use is quite common as Hindu festivals are based on this calender only. The months in Hindu calender also has 12 months and each months usually has 30/31 days duration.

	Month (Sanskrit)	Length	Start date (Gregorian)	Tropical Zodiac
1	Chaitra (चैत्र)	30/31	March 22*	Aries
2	Vaishākha (वैशाख)	31	April 21	Taurus
3	Jyaishtha (ज्येष्ठ)	31	May 22	Gemini
4	Āshādha (आषाढ)	31	June 22	Cancer
5	Shrāvana (श्रावण)	31	July 23	Leo
6	Bhaadra (भाद्र)	31	August 23	Virgo
7	Āshwin ( आश्विन)	30	September 23	Libra
8	Kārtika (कार्तिक)	30	October 23	Scorpio
9	Agrahayana (मार्गशीर्ष)	30	November 22	Sagittarius
10	Pausha (पौष)	30	December 22	Capricorn
11	Māgha (माघ)	30	January 21	Aquarius
12	Phālguna (फाल्गुन)	30	February 20	Pisces

National River of India

The National River of India is गंगा (Ganga – Ganges). It starts from Western Himalaya in India and goes into Bay of Bengal via Bangladesh. In Hinduism, River Ganga is considered very sacred. It is Hindu believe that those who take bath in Ganga, his or her sins will be washed away in Ganga. It is also personified as गंगा माता (Ganga Mata – Mother Ganga). 

National Anthem of India

जन गन मन (Jana Gana Mana) is the National Anthem of India (राष्ट्रीय गान – Rashtriya Gaan). It was written in 1911 and adopted as National Anthem of India in 1950. For more information, please refer to the previous post at https://blogs.transparent.com/hindi/jana-gana-mana-the-national-anthem-of-india/

National Song of India

वन्दे मातरम (Vande Matram) is the National Song of India and was very popular among freedom fighters of the Independence struggle of India. For more information, please refer to the previous post at https://blogs.transparent.com/hindi/vande-matram-national-song-of-india/

National Aquatic Animal of India

Ganges river dolphin, is the the National Aquatic Animal of India is a freshwater or river dolphin which is usually found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers and their tributaries in Bangladesh, India and Nepal.