BuddhaHome Team

Dasheri Mango: Savor the Food of Gods

Mangoes from India are succulent summer fruits which are favored by millions around the world. The fruit has a heavenly taste and is often mentioned as the “Food of the Gods”. The much-loved mangoes of India are found in many varieties, each a delight in its own. Of these, one of the most popular kind is the Dasheri Mango (also spelled as Dusseri and Dussehri) that comes from North India. It is known as the “mother” to the many mango varieties found in India. You will be surprised to know that Dasheri mangoes are not only favored today but were even popular in ancient India and have a strong connection with Buddhism.

The delicious fruit was not just popular for its mouthwatering taste but was also believed to be holy by the ancient religions of the country. Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism mention the ‘sacredness’ of the mango trees and fruit. Even the mango leaves are a part of many auspicious rituals.

Connection of Mangoes with Buddhism

There are many Jataka tales of the Buddha performing miracles under the mango tree. The Great Miracle of Shravasti is said to have been performed in front of the mango tree when Gautam Buddha recreated various forms of himself. His multiple images in front of a mango tree are also a popular theme of Buddhist art. Besides the famous miracle, it is also believed that Gautam Buddha preferred the lush mango groves to rest. As a result, Buddhists consider it to be a symbol of fertility, peace, and knowledge. Devout Buddhists plant mango trees as a respect to the Buddha and his teachings.

Buddhism believes the mango to be sacred and interestingly it played an important role in bringing the delicious flavors to the rest of the world. The Buddhist monks traveled far and wide in the world and introduced the fruit to Southern East Asia countries like Malaysia and China around the 4th century B.C. Now, mangoes are grown abundantly in the tropical and sub-tropical climate.

The story of the Dasheri Mango

Malihabad (also known as Mango Paradise) near Lucknow is said to be the place of origin of the Dasheri mangoes. The variety is extensively grown in the Lucknow-Shravasti belt. Shravasti is an important Buddhist Pilgrimage place popular for the miracles that Gautam Buddha performed here. The revered mother tree which is considered to be the first Dasheri mango tree stands tall near the village of Dasheri. It is said to be over 300 years old. The Dasheri mango was found in the garden of the Nawab (ruler) of the area during the 18th century. The ruler zealously protected the fruit-bearing tree. Later on the grafts from the tree made its place in the mango farms of India. But to date the mango gardens of Malihabad stand unbeaten for its produce. The mouthwatering taste is simply out of the world.

Taste of Singapore

Singapore does not cultivate the Dasheri mango but imports it from India and other countries. Favored for its sweet taste and aroma, the Dasheri mangoes are medium-sized and are known as “table” mangoes. They can be eaten fresh out of hand by slicing them into pieces or sucked with their skin intact. Dasheri can be also be added to fruit salads or smoothies.

Buddhism in Singapore embraces Indian rituals in addition to many other forms of Buddhism that co-exist in the island country. Besides, the flavorsome mangoes, mango leaves find its place in the auspicious Buddhist rituals in Singapore.