Fruit for Lord Shiva

While cracking open a wood apple on our kitchen counter this morning, I reflected upon the tight connections between food and religion here in India.

Bael with sweet flesh ready to scoop out.

Bael fruit growing on a tree.

The shell of the wood apple (called bael in Hindi) is almost as hard as a coconut’s. I had seen bael tucked among necklaces of marigolds and other items used in sacred festivals, but hadn't known why those items were sold together. My friend Shalabh explained that the leaves and sweet fruit of the bael tree are sacred to the Hindu god Shiva. Bael is also supposed to be "cooling," so the fruit is often made into drinks on the street. The gritty texture of the fruit I bought wasn't a hit with others around the breakfast table, but Shalabh and I like the custardy taste and the hard shell made a perfect bowl.

Bael is not the only fruit with religious significance. I've been researching fruit and vegetable retail for the last eight months here in India, but am continually surprised at the many ways in which religion influences diet. For instance, many Hindus will eat only fruit and milk during Maha Shivaratri, buying so much fruit that the carts look empty and forlorn. 

Many places of worship provide prasad, food first offered to the gods and then eaten by the community. Long lines form at the temple across from my apartment as working men and families from the neighborhood line up for free meals. The halwa, poori, and chana masala from the handouts I've tasted have all been delicious--even better than the bael! 

Schoolchildren eat prasad (served in bowls on the table) outside the temple.