The hurried pace of modern life often makes us yearn for the carefree days of childhood – simple traditions that bonded us and comfort foods that nourished our souls. Join me on a nostalgic journey as we unwrap memories of the Indian jujube fruit, known as ber, and the enduring traditions that surround it.

Strolling Down Memory Lane with Ber 

As a 90s kid, I have fond memories of bonding with family over television rituals like watching the Ramayana serial every Sunday. Do you recall gathering together to watch Lord Ram’s epic tale unfold in that beloved TV series? With wide eyes full of wonder, we witnessed noble Shabari offer her half-eaten handful of ber to her divine Lord.

What a powerful testament to unconditional love and equality it was! The humble ber fruit became a symbol transcending caste and prejudice. The epic tale of Lord Ram’s noble deeds and the pure devotion of characters like Shabari left a deep impression. And eating sweet, tangy ber fruit while sharing lighthearted moments with friends after school holds a similarly nostalgic place in my heart.Who knew those moments would stay nestled in your heart all these years later?

Ber – A Superfood Steeped in Tradition

Beyond evoking childhood nostalgia, the unassuming ber packs a nutritious punch. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, it has earned superfood status. But ber is also historically and culturally significant – enjoying sacred status in rituals and linked to legends that impart spiritual lessons. As we bite into ber, we are connecting to these traditions and our roots. Just as the Ram Mandir stands as a timeless emblem of divine power, ber also echoes wholesome, enduring goodness. Isn’t it wondrous that the modest fruit we snacked on as children is now renowned for its health benefits? Why, ber can aid digestion, reduce insomnia and boost immunity too! Small wonder it has long held an honored place in holy festivals and offerings.

Upholding Traditions – Saraswati Puja and the Ber Ban

Traditions like the ber ban during Saraswati Puja in Bengal reinforce community ties. As we worship the goddess of learning and arts on Vasant Panchami, foregoing the winter season’s favorite fruit out of deference until Prasad is a symbolic gesture. Just as Saraswati enjoys beloved status, ber is considered a favorite that we ceremonially abstain from, building anticipation for the joy of first sweet bite post-puja. Simple traditions like this bind us.

Shabari’s Ber Gift – An Act of Devotion, A Message of Equality 

The legendary meeting of saint Shabari and Lord Rama contains a profound message – of devotion transcending social divisions. Her offering of already-tasted berry fruit represented her utmost love. Lord Rama accepts unconditionally, powerfully challenging ingrained separation between castes. This eternal narrative plays out through the humble ber, cementing ideals of equality. Its resonance continues as we pay tribute to the devotional essence. As we celebrate Ram mandir temple opening in Ayodhya. Let’s gift each other the prefect ber fruit  gift hamper to our loved ones. 

Calming Properties of Ber – An Offering for Lord Shiva

Ber is not just culturally significant. As highlighted through customs like offerings to Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri, it has therapeutic properties too. The fruits often feature in Shiva rituals for their recognised efficacy as sedatives – apt for the deity representing tranquility. By partaking the offerings, we ingest both spiritual and medicinal sustenance. Across such rites and practices, the multidimensional Indian jujube forms a bridge to heritage.

From religious rituals to childhood snacking, ber encapsulates the comfort of tradition. It charts a flavorful journey across cultural memory lanes – from myths that underscore virtue to seasonal customs that reinforce community. As a simple fruit with profound resonance, ber represents the very soul of our Indian heritage.

Indian plum based healthy snacks

Abrosaa offers a variety of gift hampers that feature our crunchy, chewy, and chocolatey snacks made from Indian plum. You can choose from our hampers, or customize your own hamper according to your preferences and budget. 🎁

Dive into the Ber-rific world of Abrosaa where Indian Jujube takes center stage in every delightful avatar! 🍫🍇 From the decadent BER Dark Chocolate to the zingy Ber Masala Chatkara, each bite is a flavor-packed adventure. Feeling spread-worthy? Try our Ber Fruit Spread or sip on the refreshing BER Juice! 🌿 Oh, and let’s not forget the wholesome crunch of our BER Millet Cookies!