Bananas

[oeyvind]

Took this while visiting the Sri Veerama Kaliamman Temple in Singapore's Little India just now. Anyone know what's the significant of these bananas in an Indian temple?

Actual shuttler speed is 1/13s, ISO400:

Bananas (http://www.photosig.com/viewphoto.php?id=762636) in an Indian temple.

[oeyvind]

OK, found out the true meaning of the bananas from an Indian friend of mine:

In ancient times, people of all races believed that the first harvest of rice, fruit and all other forms of food, including the first catch of fish or any other animal, should be offerd to the holy spirits which, they believed, were the creators of food crops and animals. As a result, by appeasing the spirits, in theory the people were protected from starvation. However, during years in which there were bad harvests or food shortages, they believed that this was caused by the indignation of the holy spirits who might have been angry with human actions. Therefore, the ancient people were very much afraid of these invisible beings and to please them, people made offerings and sacrifices in their honour.

Bananas is one of the offerings given in Hindu temples besides coconut, rice and lotus flowers. Bananas are found in abundance throughout India and is one of the cheapest fruit of the country. It is also considered a symbol of "Abundance". When you visit an Indian temple you might also notice devotees break coconuts. It is a symbol of breaking their egos to reveal their pure and kind inner selves. The Lotus flower is considered a symbol of human life to the Hindus, as a decorative motif. They believe that as the lotus bud stretches towards the sun despite its roots being embedded in mud, likewise, man strives for the spiritual despite being rooted in the material.