Indian Wedding | Importance of Decorated Nariyal
                     Indian Wedding | 
Importance of 
Decorated Nariyal
In Hinduism, offering coconut to Hindu 
God and Goddess is a most common 
practice that you have seen in India. 
Needless to say, decorated nariyal holds 
a lot of importance whether there is any 
wedding, festival, occasion, ceremony or 
puja. It is a must-have item on the list 
along with sweets, incense sticks, 
flowers, and cloth for deities. People also 
break coconut whether they are going to 
start any venture, before construction of 
the house or buying any vehicle etc.
Significance of coconut in 
Hinduism
• Also known as Shrifal in Sanskrit, holy decorated nariyal is referred as 
God’s fruit. In Hindu religion, it is the only food that is used to 
symbolize God. Shrifal decoration is also done in so many different 
styles.
• Coconut is a satvik fruit as is sacred, health-giving, pure, clean, and 
bestowed with several properties.
• The three marks on the coconut (Nariyal) is considered to be the 
three eyes of Lord Shiva. That is why coconut is termed as auspicious 
in puja rituals.
Coconut and human Ego
• The coconut fruit is also a symbol of human ego (ahankar). The 
breaking of decorated shrifal is a representation of breaking one’s ego 
and humbling oneself before God. It is believed that before 
surrendering oneself to god, one should free themselves from 
ignorance and ego to remove the human tendencies that come in a 
way to get blessings from God.
Replacement of Human sacrifice
• There was a time when human and animal heads were smashed to 
appease God. It is when spiritual guru, Adi Shankaracharya 
denounced the inhuman practice of ‘Narbali’ on seeing no religious 
and spiritual significance and replaced it with an offering of the 
coconuts to fulfill their desires. The offering and breaking of coconut 
signify that ‘I offer myself at your feet.”
Resemble human head
• Coconut is similar to the human head in many ways. While the coir of 
the coconut is compared to human hair, the hard nut looks like a skull, 
the water inside akin to the blood and kernel symbolizes the mental 
space
Coconut in Hindu mythology
• • According to Hindu mythology, there was a king Satyavrata who 
tried to enter in Swarga Loka (heaven) with his mortal body but 
thrown out by gods. It is when sage Vishwamitra created coconut to 
help king Satyavrata to show gratitude towards him as the king had 
saved sage Vishwamitra once at the time of drought.
• • There is another legend which is associated with Lord Ganesha. As a 
kid, Ganesha got attracted to lord shiva’s third eye and went to touch 
it. It is then lord Shiva gave him a special ball i.e., Coconut to play 
instead of touching him.
Beliefs
• • The association of human fertility cult with decorated nariyal for wedding is 
evident during wedding rituals in India. The fruit placed in the pot is a symbolism of 
womb whereas, the nut itself, represents a life that bestows fertility on the bridal 
couple.
• • As it is a symbol of life, the pregnant ladies are refrained from breaking coconut as 
it is equivalent to kill a lifeform. It is also believed that vibrations while breaking 
down a coconut harms the fetus in the womb.
• • According to traditional rituals of Gujrat, it is customary for a bride to present a 
decorated shrifal to the groom at the time of marriage. The coconut is preserved by 
the respective husband throughout his life.
• • In case, you are affected by illicit effects of planet Rahu, sleep by placing a coconut 
near your head on a Wednesday night. Offer it to Lord Ganesha the very next day.