Significance of Banana tree in Hinduism

A banana tree is considered to be very auspicious in Hindu mythology. Hindus pray to the tree and also do pooja on Thursdays. They believe that five Gods reside in this tree. These Gods are collectively called Pancha Ganapathi. The tree is primarily worshipped because Hindus are of the belief that Lord Vishnu and Brihaspati Dev or Jupiter dwell in this tree.

The pooja is performed the same way irrespective of if Lord Vishnu or Lord Brihaspati is worshipped. Thursday is the day associated with both the deities. However, the mantra chanted varies depending on the deity that is being worshipped and in whose honor the pooja is carried out. Worshippers of Lord Vishnu chant the Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya mantra while those who pay their respects to Lord Brihaspati recite the Om Brihaspataye Namaha manta.

The following are some key benefits of doing a banana tree pooja on Thursdays.

Seek Lord Vishnu’s Blessings

Doing a pooja to the banana tree helps to appease Lord Vishnu. Hindus believe that worshipping the tree with utmost devotion is one of the easiest ways to gain the blessings of the lord.

Overcome Marital Problems

Lord Vishnu and his consort Goddess Lakshmi are portrayed in Hindu mythology as an ideal and perfect married couple. Therefore, those who face problems in their married life and have a troubled relationship with their partner must consider doing a banana tree pooja to resolve conflicts with their spouses and to be blessed with a peaceful married life.

Unmarried people can also perform the pooja to be blessed with an ideal life partner like Lord Vishnu, the Preserver among the Trinity.

Get a New Job

Lighting a ghee lamp in front of the banana tree and praying with maximum dedication to Lord Jupiter helps devotees to get the job that they have applied for. Devotees also offer sweets made using gram flour or besan as prasad.

Seek Prosperity

Hindus associate a banana tree as one of the various symbols of prosperity. Moreover, the banana is a fruit that is readily available all through the year. Therefore, worshipping a banana tree is said to help devotees be blessed with a prosperous life always.

Overcome Financial Crisis

Maa Lakshmi is represented in Hindu mythology as the goddess of wealth. Hindus believe that they can please her with their sincere prayers. The goddess is said to bless those who surrender themselves to her with complete faith and help them to overcome their financial crisis.

Get Rid of Mangal Dosha

Hindus often do a banana tree pooja to get rid of their Manglik dosha. The ill effects of this dosha can be eliminated by paying obeisance to the tree and doing pooja in its honor.

Doing a banana tree pooja is not a very complicated or elaborate ritual. There is no need for you to avail the assistance of a priest to help you with this ritual. You can do this yourself with a whole-hearted surrender to the deity.

You must wake up early in the morning at dawn before sunrise and take a bath. Wear yellow clothes if possible as this is the colour associated with both Lord Vishnu as well as Brihaspati Dev. It doesn’t matter if you do not have a dress in this colour. Take a vow to complete the ritual with utmost devotion and pray to the lord or do a little meditation. Apply a paste of Chandan or sandalwood and Haldi or turmeric on the bark of the tree. Offer some yellow coloured flowers to the tree. Fill a Kalash or pot with water and mix some turmeric in the water. Offer this water as well and chant the appropriate mantra. Pour a fistful of chana dal over the tree. Lastly, do not consume a banana or any part of the tree on the day you are performing the pooja.

Written by Deepthi K