COCUNUT, Plantain, Betel leaf, Manjal etc. in Puja because 1 As per mythology, when Lord Vishnu descended on earth, he brought Goddess Lakshmi, a coconut tree, and the Kamdhenu cow for the welfare of mankind. It is one of the reasons why coconut is considered to be the symbol of the three gods- Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. The coconut, known as "Narikela" in Sanskrit, holds a rich cultural and religious significance deeply rooted in South Asian traditions. The very name "Narikela" is believed to be an aboriginal term, with "Niyor" representing oil and "Kolai" denoting nut. Referred to as "Sriphala" in Sanskrit, translating to "The God's fruit," the coconut finds mentions in ancient texts such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, and Jataka stories in Buddhism. Before the 6th century AD, the coconut gained sanctity in domestic rituals, becoming a sacred offering to deities and a cherished gift during festivals and ceremonies. Its importance in religious rites further intensified during the Agni Purana and Brahma Purana (800-900 AD), where it was not only considered a medicinal plant but also an essential element for atmospheric purity, beauty, and tranquility. According to the Matsya Purana, planting coconut trees, along with other sacred trees, in a garden was believed to bring prosperity and increase riches. Legend has it that the coconut holds special significance to Lord Ganesha, given to him by his father, Lord Shiva, marking the unique origin of this revered fruit in the world.
2 In another belief system, the coconut's components carry specific symbolism. The kernel, or white flesh, is seen as symbolic of Devi Parvati, while the water inside is associated with the sacred river Ganga. The brown shell represents Lord Kartikeya. These intricate symbolisms contribute to the coconut's significance in religious rituals, reflecting a deeper spiritual connection within Hinduism. The act of breaking a coconut holds symbolic significance in many spiritual traditions, particularly within Hinduism. It is believed that each part of the coconut represents different aspects of human nature and the spiritual journey. The hard outer shell of the coconut is seen as a representation of ego. Breaking the coconut is symbolic of breaking one's ego, and letting go of pride and arrogance. The soft, pulpy part inside the coconut is considered analogous to the human heart. Breaking the coconut is an act of opening one's heart, fostering humility and compassion. The water inside the coconut symbolizes purity. Breaking the coconut and offering its water signifies the purification of oneself, cleansing the heart and soul. 2A Marriage The link between the human fertility cult and coconut is prominently highlighted during wedding traditions. The fruit is usually put in a pot, which symbolizes the womb, while the nut, which symbolizes life, grants fertility to the wedding pair. As it is a symbol of life, pregnant women are restricted from breaking the coconut as it is equal to killing a life form. It is also believed that the sound of breaking down coconut harms the fetus in the womb. According to Gujarati traditional rituals, it is normal for a bride to present a coconut to the groom at the time of marriage and to be preserved by the respective husband throughout his life. It is given as a marriage proposal, a betrothal sign, a bride’s welcome, and to protect against evil. The coconut also features prominently in a variety of Gond and Bhil marriage ceremonies and funeral service rites in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, according to ancestral networks. The Kunbis of Maharashtra’s Konkan region appreciate the coconut and keep it in memory of their ancestors 2B The three eyes of their greatest god, Lord Shiva, are thought to be represented by the coconut among Hindus. The coconut also symbolizes a noble and proud heart, with its tough shell on the outside and sweet, delicate fruit on the inside. Coconut breaking is also considered as breaking one’s ego or “Ahankara,” and the flesh white portion of coconut is considered as the brain which is selfish, egoist, and jealous. Coconut is also symbolized as a representation of divine consciousness and is kept in leaves in a copper vessel known as “Kalasha.” For all these festivals Ganesh Puja, Diwali, Dussera, Durga Puja, and Holi, a huge number of coconuts were offered to the gods and to guests. In Tamil Nadu, Aadi Perukku is celebrated for life-giving nature and sustainability of water, whereas as a part of ritualistic practices, the practice of breaking coconut on the devotee’s head is done and is quite unusual. In Daman and Diu, Narali Purnima is celebrated by Hindus on the west coast of India and in the coastal region of Maharashtra like Thane, Ratnagiri, Konkan, etc., and it is offered to the sea on the full moon day or Purnima. This festival is the beginning of the fishing and the water trade among the fishermen. They offer prayers and worship the sea God, Varuna, for a smooth journey and more profitable catch in the seas. They celebrate by dancing and singing and eating the traditional food sweet coconut rice and curry. In Kerala, coconut is first put into the sea to calm it and offered to the devotees before starting fishing hoping to catch abundant fish. In Assam, coconut sweet dishes known as Laru and Narikol Pitha are made during Magh Bihu also called Bhogali Bihu, and in mid-January, it is a harvest festival and marks the end of harvesting season and is celebrated with great pomp and show in the households. 2C The reason coconut is called "Shrifal," or "fruit of prosperity," in Ayurveda is that in addition to producing fruit with cooling properties, oil, and delicious kernels that can be eaten fresh or dried, the tree also yields nuts, leaves, and fruit, all of which are utilized in various ways throughout India 3 When Sri Sita Devi was imprisoned by Ravana in The Asohka Vanam, Sri Hanuman went there and bowed to Sita Devi. Sita Devi, who is an embodiment of Goddess Maha Lakshmi, was sitting amidst the betel leaf vine. When Lord Hanuman announced himself as the messenger of Lord Rama and sought Her blessings, Sita Devi became overjoyed and blessed Lord Hanuman with betel leaves she plucked from the vine. The tradition of adorning Lord Hanuman with Betel leaves honors that incident and pleases Lord Hanuman and through Him Goddess Sita Devi, thereby bringing prosperity to the devotee. 4 “A ripe banana is kapha predominant [having the life force elements of water and earth] and is used in treating several skin disorders in Ayurveda,” said Dr Sreelakshmi, senior Ayurveda consultant at Naad Wellness in Delhi. Also, in Ayurveda, the banana flower and stem are used to treat diabetes, and the tree’s sap (which has astringent properties) is used for ailments such as leprosy and epilepsy as well as for insect bites. And as Sreelakshmi explained, psychosomatic disorders such as hypertension and insomnia are treated by a therapy called thalapothichil in which the head is covered in a medicinal paste and then wrapped with a banana leaf, which is thought to have a calming effect. The banana is also the only fruit mentioned in the Pali canon (scriptures central to the Theravada school of Buddhism), the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita, and forms the triad of fruits, along with mango and jackfruit, called mukkani in Tamil Sangam literature. In Hinduism, the banana tree is equated with Lord Brihaspati (Jupiter), who is considered a guru to the Hindu pantheon. 5 The banana tree is also associated with fertility and bounty. Hence, in South India, a pair of banana trees with flowering branches is placed on either side of the entrance to a home or venue during weddings, religious festivals and other special occasions. In Bengal, during the Durga Pujo festival, a figurine symbolising goddess Durga (the Hindu goddess of war and feminine energy) is made with a banana plant, draped in a yellow saree with a red border. This form of the goddess is known as Kola Bou, where kola means “banana” and bou means “lady” in Bengali. When it comes to eating bananas in India, there are many options, whether ripened or raw, to choose from. Varieties like the easily digestible matti pazzham are used as baby food, while others like nendran and rasthali, due to their longer shelf life and lower water content, are used in both traditional and contemporary Indian dishes. “We call the banana ‘kele’ in Konkani [a language spoken in the Konkan region along the Western Ghats], and it’s a staple in our traditional Konkani cuisine,” said Shantala Nayak Shenoy, who writes a food blog called The Love of Spice. “I often enjoy preparing kele upkari [a mildly flavoured raw banana stir fry] and kele koddel [a spicy coconut-based curry] to using delicious ripe bananas for making crispy kele phodi [gram flour battered fritters] and kele halvo [a sweet treat using ripe bananas and semolina]. There is a way to indulge most palates and taste buds with a banana.” 6 Significance Of Banana Leaves 1. Bananas are known as ‘Kadali Phalam’ in Hinduism and the entire plant is considered to be holy. There are a number of reasons why the banana leaf is considered holy in Hinduism. 2. Rishi Durvasa’s wife was turned into a banana tree by his curse, when she had interrupted his sleep. Upon receiving the curse she pleaded as a compromise; that she be treated as a special and holy plant on earth. Durvasa granted her wish and since then banana leaves (and the plant) are considered auspicious in Hinduism. 3. Banana leaves are used to distribute prasad to devotees. The fruits are used as Naivedyam or food for the Gods. Banana tree trunks are used as decorations and pillars during religious festivals or cultural ceremonies, as they signify good luck and prosperity. 4. Lord Ganesh is another deity who is very fond of banana leaves and can be appeased by offering the same. Lord Vishnu and Maa Lakshmi are also given bananas as religious offerings. 7 The spiritual significance of turmeric tea As well as being a key ingredient in cooking and medicine, turmeric has a deep spiritual significance for many societies. Because of its symbolism with the sun, it is often associated with purity and spiritual protection from darkness and evil, and therefore plays a key role in religious ceremonies and rituals. As an incense blend, it is used for energetic cleansing and relaxation. However, in other cultures it represents wealth, happiness and growth, and is used in a variety of celebrations and festivals. In recent years turmeric has attracted quite a bit of interest for its natural healing properties, but it has actually been used medicinally for over 4,500 years. Analyses of pots discovered near New Delhi uncovered residue from turmeric, ginger and garlic that dates back as early as 2500 BCE. It was around 500 BCE that turmeric emerged as an important part of Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of natural healing that is still practiced today. Ayurveda translates to science of life-- ayur meaning life and Veda meaning science or knowledge. Inhaling fumes from burning turmeric was said to alleviate congestion, turmeric juice aided with the healing of wounds and bruises, and turmeric paste was applied to all sorts of skin conditions from smallpox and chicken pox to blemishes and shingles. Ayurvedic literature contains over 100 different terms for turmeric, including Jayanti, meaning one who is victorious over diseases, and matrimanika, meaning as beautiful as moonlight. 8 In Indian culture, the importance of turmeric goes far beyond medicine. The Hindu religion sees turmeric as auspicious and sacred. There is a wedding day tradition in which a string, dyed yellow with turmeric paste, is tied around the bride's neck by her groom. This necklace, known as a mangalsutra, indicates that the woman is married and capable of running a household. The tradition still continues in Hindu communities and has been compared to the Western exchange of wedding rings. In parts of southern India, a piece of the turmeric rhizome is worn as an amulet for protection against evil spirits. The vibrant yellow natural coloring of turmeric has also been used to dye clothing and thread for centuries. Saffron-hued Buddhist robes are dyed with turmeric. In Kerala, a state in southwest India, children were given turmeric-dyed clothing to wear during the Onam festival. The reason for this is unclear, though it likely has to do with the color's association with Lord Krishna. K Rajaram IRS 9125 ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: 'venkat giri' via iyer123 <[email protected]> Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2025 at 10:58 Subject: [iyer123] ARCHANAI ITEMS IN TEMPLE To: Iyer <[email protected]> Respected Sir/s, *கோவில் அர்ச்சனை தட்டில் தேங்காய், வாழைப்பழம், எலுமிச்சை பழம் வைப்பது ஏன் தெரியுமா?* *முன்னோர்கள் எது செய்தாலும் அதில் ஒரு அர்த்தம் இருக்கும்.* *1. தேங்காயின் நற்குணங்கள் ஏராளம். குடலில் உள்ள புண்கள் குணப்படுத்துவதும், உடலுக்கு தேவையான நல்ல கொலஸ்டாலை கொடுக்கிறது. எலும்புக்கு தேவையான எண்ணெய் உற்பத்தி செய்வதற்கும், நீண்ட நாள் வாழ்வதற்கு ஏற்ற பொருளாக பயன்படுகிறது. உடலில் நமக்கு எதிர்ப்பு சக்தியை கொடுக்கும் இரத்தத்தில் உள்ள வெள்ளை அணுக்களை அதிகரிக்கும். இறைவனுங்கு படைக்கப்பட்ட பின், அதை வாங்கி கூறு போட்டு நாம் சாப்பிட்டு, மற்றவர்களுக்கும் உறவினர்களுக்கும் கொடுத்து உண்ண செய்தல் வேண்டும். அதை விட்டுவிட்டு செதர் தேங்காய் சாலையில் உடைத்து வீணடிக்க கூடாது.* *2. இரண்டாவது வாழைப்பழம் :-* *இது மிக சிறந்த பழம். புற்று நோயை கூட குணப்படுத்தும் வல்லமை கொண்டது. குடல், வயிற்றில் உள்ள தேவையில்லாத கழிவுகளை வெளியேற்றி சுத்தம் செய்யும் தனித்தன்மை வாய்ந்தது. உடலுக்கு உடனடியாக ஆற்றலை கொடுக்கும். இதையும் இறைவனுக்கு படைத்த பின் நானும், சுற்றத்தார், உறவினர், நண்பர்களுக்கு கொடுத்து உண்ண செய்யலாம். அவற்றில் ஊது பத்தி கொளுத்தி வைத்து வீணடிக்க வேண்டாம்.* *3. மூன்றாவது எலுமிச்சை பழம் :-* *அதுவும் சிறந்த பழம். உடல் ஆரோக்கியத்திற்கு மிகவும் நல்லது. தண்ணீரில் பிழிந்து உப்பு அல்லது இனிப்பு போட்டு குடிக்கலாம். புத்துணர்ச்சியை கொடுக்கும். சுடுதண்ணீரில் சிறிது எலுமிச்சையை பிழிந்து குடிக்க தேவையில்லாத கழிவுகள் வெளியேறும். கொலஸ்டிரால் குறையும். பெரும்பாலும் அதை மக்கள் தொடுறதே இல்லை. அது காஞ்சி கருவாடு போல கிடக்கும். இல்லாவிட்டால் அதையும் கட் செய்து நாம வாகனத்திற்கு கீழே வைத்து நசுக்கி விடுவோம்.* *4. நான்காவது வெற்றிலை* *வெற்றிலை மிக மிக சிறந்த மருத்துவ பொருள். உடலில் இரத்த ஓட்டத்தை அதிகரிக்கும். வைரஸ் தடுக்கக்கூடியது. அதனால் நம் முன்னோர்கள் கூட்டம் கூடும் திருமணம் மற்றும் துக்க இடங்களில் வெற்றிலை வைத்திருப்பார்கள். சாப்பாடு பின் 2 வெற்றிலை, 3 கிராம்பு, 5 மிளகு, சிறிது சர்க்கரை அல்லது தேன் வைத்து வெற்றிலை போடும் போது சளி இருமல் மற்றும் வைரஸ் குணமாகும். இதையும் நாம் மறந்து விட்டோம். மறக்கக்கூடாது என்பதற்காக தான் பூஜையில் வெற்றிலை இருக்கிறது.* *5. ஐந்தாவது மஞ்சள்.* *பெண்கள் கழுத்தில் அணிவதற்கு காரணமே அதன் மருத்துவ வலிமை தான். மஞ்சள் மருத்துவம் ஏராளம். உடலில் உள்ள புண்களை குணப்படுத்தும். உடம்பிற்கு கெடுதல் ஏற்படுத்தும் செல்களை அழிக்கும் சக்தியாக செயல்படுகிறது. புற்றுநோய் செல்களை தடுக்கும் ஆற்றல் மஞ்சளுக்கு உண்டு.* *சிந்தியுங்கள் தோழர்களே. அதன் பயன்பாடு, மருத்துவ குணங்கள் அறிந்து உண்ணுங்கள்... * *மருத்துவ பொருள்களை வீணடிக்க வேண்டாம். அதே சமயத்தில் மருத்துவ பொருள்களை அளவாக பயன்படுத்துவது நல்லது. அளவுக்கு மீறினால் அமிர்தம் நஞ்சு என்பது நாம் அறிந்ததே.* *Do you know why coconut, banana and lemon is kept in temple archanai plate?Whatever the ancestors do has a meaning.1. The good qualities of coconut are abundant. Healing the intestine wounds and gives the body good cholesterol. Used to produce essential oil for bone and to live longer. The white cells in the blood which gives us immunity in the body. After God has created, we shall eat and give it to others and relatives. Don't waste cheddar coconut road leaving it.2. The second banana :-This is the best fruit. Even cancer has the power to cure. The intestine is unique to clean up unwanted waste from the stomach. Gives instant energy to the body. After creating this also to God, I can also give it to the roaming, relatives, friends and eat. Don't waste them blowing and burning them.3. The third lemonade :-That's a great fruit too. Very good for body health. Squeeze in water and drink salt or sweet. Giving refreshing. Unnecessary waste to squeeze some lemon in hot water and drink. Cholesterol will reduce. Mostly people don't touch it. It would be like a porridge dry. Otherwise we'll cut it down and crush it down.4. The fourth wonVetrilai is the best medical product. Increase blood flow in the body. The virus is preventable. So our ancestors have victory in crowded marriages and places of sorrow. Meal then 2 virus, 3 cloves, 5 peppers, little sugar or honey and cold cough and virus. We forgot this too. Success is there in Puja so that we should not forget.5. The fifth yellow.Medical strength is the reason for women to wear their neck. Turmeric medicine is plenty. Heals the wounds in the body. Acts as a force to destroy cells that causes damage to the body. Yellow has the power to prevent cancer cells.Think about it respected friends. Know its uses, medical properties and eat...Don't waste medical supplies. At the same time it is good to use medical supplies in quantity. We know that if we cross the limits, nectar is nanju.* *REGARDS* *V.SRIDHARAN* *TRICHY* -- To go to your groups page on the web, login to your gmail account and then click on https://groups.google.com/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "iyer123" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/1999233949.6191762.1736400499502%40mail.yahoo.com <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/1999233949.6191762.1736400499502%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> . -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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