Coconut

Coconut:

Coconut was originated at the beaches of oceans. It is a miracle of nature, Ocean water cannot fit for drinking but the Coconut contains sweet water was taken birth in the sands of ocean. National tree of Maldives is Coconut tree. September 2 is considered as "World Coconut Day". Indonesia, Philipines and India are the top producers of Coconut. In India Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are highest producing states.

Cultural Beliefs:

The story starts when Lord Ganesha was a child. While he was playing games he suddenly saw the third eye of Lord Shiva and asked him for playing game. Third eye is symbol for destruction by assuming this Lord Shiva given a fake thing which has 3 eyes called as Narikela Phalam (Coconut).This is the birth of Coconut.It also resembles as human head when the husk was removed. Coconut is described as Lord Shiva family. Outer shell is Lord Shiva, Inner flesh is Goddess Parvathi and Inner water is Goddess Ganga. Coconut is only fruit that is not having Un-ripe and ripen levels. Our ancestors assumed that Lord should be bathed with untouched water so they preferred coconut.

Interesting Facts:

• Traditionally coconut was used in many rituals. Hindu's state that when a person starting a work he will be dominated with proud, that proudness will be eliminated by crashing coconut in-front of god. It was explained as I'm only a machine and god was operating it so I’m crashing my ego in-front of god. 
• Feared people were compared as Husk. Dared people were compared as Hard core shell. But when person need to be happy he should be like sweet flesh inside a coconut.
• In past traditions & rituals there exist animal sacrifices which are termed as 'Bali' to appease God for avoiding these Adi Shankaracharya introduced crashing coconut in-front of god. Removing fiber and offering to god resembles I’m free from external fiber (desires) and I offer myself at your feet.
• There is tradition in Hindu Marriages bride carrying green coconut to the venue. This symbolically described as pregnancy value and indication to bride groom to make her pregnant soon. Coconut and Banana trees are the only trees which give birth for numerous fruits at once. It was symbolized as bride should be reproductive and need to give birth for number of children. That is why Banana and Coconuts are used rigorously in marriages.
• Coconut was compared with Humans Husk is described as Hair, Shell as head, White flesh as brain and water as blood.
• Temples are built on the tops of Hills explains spiritual inclination is possible only by hard work. Devotes need to bring fruits for praying the god. They need a fruit which will not spoil for days (In olden days climbing a hill will take days to reach lord) coconut was only fruit which will not spoil for many days so it was chosen and became as tradition.

Scientific Reasons:

• Scientists found lot of evidences describing origin of the coconut tree in India. That’s why coconut called as Indian nut in Europe. Mr.Vascodigama famous Portuguese sailor first saw husk less coconut in India and named as coco (A -ve facial expression). And in prolong Nut was added and became coconut.
• Coconut water contains Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and lauric acid which is equivalent with the milk of mother.
• Coconut water will decrease the heat in body, kills worms in intestines, eliminates stones in kidneys and cleanses the body.  In Philippines there is popular saying "A Coconut a day keep the Urologist away". By taking coconut water stomach will not release any acids to dilute the coconut water it will dissolves directly into blood. Athletes use coconut water to restore lost electrolytes in body. During world war-II is used alternative for Intravenous for wounded soldiers.
• Coconut bark was used for creating small boats and used as bridge. Leaves are used as roof for hut, Mats, carry bags and toys. Husk is used for making threads, used for cleaning vessels and used for burning fire for cooking. Nowadays is used for making furniture.  With this tree we can extract water, milk and oil.