The pomelo tree, Citrus maxima, is a subtropical fruit tree known for producing large, thick-skinned fruits similar to grapefruits but with a sweeter taste. It’s native to Southeast Asia and is cultivated in various tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The pomelo tree can grow up to 15-20 feet tall and has glossy, dark green leaves. Its fruits can range in size from a grapefruit to a basketball and have a thick rind that can be green or yellow when ripe. Inside, the fruit contains segmented juicy flesh that can be white, pink, or red, depending on the variety. Pomelos are often eaten fresh, used in salads, or juiced. They’re also rich in vitamins and antioxidants, making them a nutritious addition to one’s diet.
The pomelo, scientifically labeled as Citrus maxima or Citrus grandis, is known by various vernacular names. In Hindi, it’s referred to as “Chakotra,” in Sanskrit as “Karuna,” in Bengali as “Batabilebu,” in Telugu as “Pamparapanasa,” and in Tamil as “Bambilimaas.” In Bihar it is well known as “Gaagar Nimbu”. This natural, unhybridized citrus hails from Southeast Asia, offering a taste akin to a sweeter version of the grapefruit. Widely embraced throughout Southeast Asia and East Asia, the pomelo features prominently in festive celebrations. Similar to the grapefruit, the pomelo contains phytochemicals that hold the potential for interacting with drugs.
The pomelo holds various cultural and symbolic significance in different regions, particularly in Southeast Asia, where it’s native. Its importance extends into religious and ceremonial contexts in some cultures:
Lunar New Year Celebrations: In some East Asian cultures, particularly in China and Vietnam, the pomelo is associated with the Lunar New Year. It symbolizes prosperity, good fortune, and abundance. It’s often displayed and consumed during these celebrations as a symbol of luck and prosperity for the coming year.
Offerings and Rituals: In certain religious practices and ceremonies, pomelos are used as offerings to deities or ancestors. They may be included in rituals, especially during festivals or traditional ceremonies, as a symbol of respect, blessings, or as an offering to honor spirits or ancestors.
Feng Shui: In Feng Shui, the pomelo is considered a symbol of abundance and good luck. It’s sometimes used in Feng Shui practices to attract positive energy and prosperity into homes or businesses.
Symbolism: Beyond specific religious practices, the pomelo, like many fruits, can carry symbolic meanings of abundance, fertility, and good fortune in various cultural contexts.
During Chhath Puja, a significant Hindu festival celebrated primarily in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, the pomelo fruit holds particular importance as an offering.
Chhath Puja is dedicated to worshipping the Sun God, Surya, and his consort Usha (the Chhathi Maiya), to express gratitude for sustaining life on earth and seeking blessings for well-being, prosperity, and longevity. The rituals involve fasting, offering prayers, and performing various ceremonies at sunrise and sunset near a body of water, typically rivers or ponds.
The pomelo, along with other fruits, especially sugarcane, bananas, and coconuts, holds symbolic significance during Chhath Puja. Devotees offer the pomelo, along with other fruits and traditional prasad (offerings), to the setting and rising sun. These fruits are offered in woven bamboo trays called soop, symbolizing respect, gratitude, and seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest and prosperity. The pomelo, with its association with abundance and prosperity, is presented as an offering to express gratitude for the bountiful harvests and to seek the Sun God’s blessings for the prosperity and well-being of the family. During the puja, the pomelo is often used as an essential item in the rituals performed at the riverbanks or ponds. It is offered along with other fruits and special dishes prepared during Chhath Puja. The pomelo, among other fruits and offerings, plays a significant role in the rituals of Chhath Puja, symbolizing gratitude, prosperity, and seeking blessings for a prosperous life.
