What Is The Significance Of Wood Apple or Bel Patra In Indian culture

What is the sacred connection of the Wood Apple tree to Indian culture?

By Intimate Viewpoint

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Wood Apple is a fruit that benefits health and stomach, especially in the summer. In India, people like to make and drink Bell syrup. It helps in keeping the stomach cool in summer. But this is not the only importance of Bel in India. It is very important from a religious point of view. too.

The connection of the wood apple tree and leaves to Indian mythology

There is a direct connection of Bel leaves to Lord Shiva. According to the Legend, the Bel tree originated from the Sweat of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva which dropped from her forehead on Mt.Mandana.

Lord Shiva loves Bel Patra and Bel fruit more than all other things. That's why Bel Patra is the most important among all the worship materials of Lord Shiva.

The Bel Patra is also known as the three-forked leaves. It represents the Tridev Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh.

It is also said that the Bel Patra represents the Trinetra (the three eyes) of Lord Shiva. 

The Significance Of Bel Leaves in Hinduism

Belpatra is very significant in Hinduism. Scarcely any worship is there in which Bel Patra is not used. It is offered to all gods and goddesses in Hinduism. Not only the Bel leaves but its fruits are also equally important. Bel fruit or wood apple is also known as Shrifala. In Indian mythology, Shri is the other name for Goddess Lakshmi.

Thus the Shriphala meant the fruit of Goddess Lakshmi. It is considered that Bel leaves absorb negativity and emits positivity. That's why there is another reason to offer Bel Pathar to Lord Shiva. Offering Belpatra to Shiv all the evils inside one are removed and goodness is absorbed.