Toothache tree shrine in Kathmandu

In Kathmandu, Nepal, a unique shrine to the goddess Vaisha Dev, the patron saint of toothache, draws scores of visitors seeking relief from dental pain. Known as the Toothache Tree, this old stump, located between Thamel and Kathmandu Durbar Square, is covered with rupee coins nailed by sufferers hoping for the goddess’s aid.

Despite modern dentistry, people continue this tradition, which dates back to the Lichchhavi kingdom (400-750 CE). Legend says a gold idol once resided in the tree, but it was stolen long ago. Today, the area around the Toothache Tree is known as the city’s dental district, with numerous clinics nearby.

New lightsaber toy shows off a retractable blade

Star Wars fans should be on the lookout for a brand-new lightsaber toy with features you haven’t seen on an official release. Goliath has launched its new Power Saber line, which featured auto-retracting and extending glowing plastic swords — something never seen in official Star Wars toys.

Initially developed with Hasbro, but inventor Yair Shilo secured a patent and teamed with Goliath for the release. The Power Saber boasts motion-based SFX, flash-on-clash, and a 35” extendable blade, available in red or green.

The world’s most expensive cigar lighter

The Louis XIII Fleur de Parme, crafted from 400 grams of solid gold and adorned with 152 sapphires, is recognised as the world’s most expensive cigar lighter, priced at $500,000.

French luxury brand S.T. Dupont created it in 2013 for Hong Kong billionaire Steven Hung, with Princess Tania de Bourbon Parme, a descendant of Louis XIII, designing the piece. Inspired by the Renaissance/Baroque style, the lighter resembles a royal gold crown. Its popularity led S.T. Dupont produced 31 smaller replicas, each sold for $15,900. Over a decade later, it remains the world’s most expensive cigar lighter.

Pop culture icons from flowers and leaves

Raku Inoue is a talented Canadian artist who specialises in carefully arranging flower petals, leaves and other plant parts to recreate pop culture characters, animals and pretty much anything else you can think of.

Inoue’s journey into painstaking floral art began one windy day in 2017 when he noticed a strong wind shaking dozens of pink petals from a rose bush in his backyard. The Japanese-born artist picked them up and came up with the idea to use the petals to create art. He arranged them in the shape of a beetle with small twigs for legs, and his little project turned out so well that he kept at it. Today, Raku Inoue is famous for his impressive portfolio of plant art. Each design is meticulously arranged and photographed before being composted, highlighting the ephemeral nature of his work.

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 14th, 2024