Coconut (Nariyal) Tree (Cocos nucifera): Where It Grows in India and How to Plant It
Cocos nucifera
Nariyal is the coconut, Cocos nucifera of the palm family. How to plant a coconut tree in India: the best season, pit and seedling, care for three years, years to fruit, how to recognise it, and why it will not do well in Rajasthan.
Cultural significance
Coconut has a special place in Indian ritual and festival life, especially along the coasts. ICAR-CPCRI notes that it is called Kalpavriksha, the tree of heaven, and one of its Marathi names is shriphal (Flowers of India). India's Ministry of Tourism (Incredible India) describes Narali Pournima, when Hindu fishing communities of Maharashtra's Konkan coast and Mumbai offer coconuts to the sea in honour of Varuna on the full moon of Shravan, around July or August. World Coconut Day falls on 2 September (Vikaspedia), and ICAR has reported a Krishi Vigyan Kendra marking it together with the Coconut Development Board.
Sources: Subramanian P. et al. (2018). Coconut. Technical Bulletin No. 133, ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod; Flowers of India: Coconut (Cocos nucifera), names and description; Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism): Narali Pournima, Maharashtra; Vikaspedia: World Coconut Day (2 September); ICAR news: World Coconut Day observed by Sasya Shyamala KVK with the Coconut Development Board (2 September)
This article was prepared with AI assistance and checked by the GreenEye team against the sources shown in each section.
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