Mythical tales of fruits

Here are some of the interesting histories of fruit, and how they are engraved in our mythology, as shared by INI Farms.

Native to South East Asia, bananas have been one of the world’s earliest cultivated fruit. In Hinduism, the banana plant is considered sacred for multiple reasons. They are a representation of God Brihaspati (Jupiter), and also symbolis the presence of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. Offering prayers to the plant is regarded as good for the welfare of the family. Not just the fruit, but leaves too play a significant role in religious ceremonies. India, being the native country still remains the largest producer of this potassium-rich fruit. Alexander the Great, discovered the banana crop amid the Indian Valleys, and further introduced it to the Western world.

Pomegranate said to be ‘The Crown Royal of all Fruit’ is a fruit of many legends and traditions. Indigenous to Iran, and neighbouring countries, pomegranate is one of those fruits that was discovered in the Bronze Age. In Indian mythology, pomegranates are associated with the Earth Goddess or Bhoomidevi. Pomegranate around the globe have diverse cultural representations; it symbolises life, fertility, prosperity, and abundance.

The king of all fruits, mango is native to South East Asia and was first grown in the Indian subcontinent. In ancient times, mango trees were considered a symbol of prosperity, representing the gods and goddesses. Mangoes are considered divine in Hindu mythology where the fruit symbolises wealth, fertility, knowledge. The tree leaves hold religious significance as they keep out negative energy and denote the presence of Goddess Lakshmi. Rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, this tropical delight has numerous health benefits and widely cultivated across Asia, and other tropical countries worldwide.

The fruit of the wine, grapes, symbolises wealth, abundance, fertility, and prosperity. It holds a clear significance in the Bible and is graced as something that is blessed and prosperous. Grapes have a strong presence in Greek mythology and are associated with Dionysus — god of grape-harvesting and wine, as a symbol of abundant love from the divine.

In India, Grapes were first bought to Maharashtra by the Persian invaders and are now synonyms with wine, but they are classified differently for their purpose.

Domesticated in the periphery of India, coconuts are largely cultivated in the coastal regions of India with Kerala being the largest producer. The fruit is renowned as the only one that symbolises ‘God’ in Hinduism. Coconut in Sanskrit is known as ‘Sriphala’ which translates to ‘God’s fruit’. Breaking of a coconut tree at the beginning of a religious or auspicious ceremony is a common practice among Hindus. Coconuts are pure, clean, and signify the acts of life; coconut water symbolises the cleansing of selfish thoughts before offering them to the Gods.