Breaking of pumpkins during house-warming function

[N.R.Ranganathan]

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Sirs,

We normally break pumpkins at the house warming ceremony. What is its significance ?

Is it mentioned in any puranas or scriptures ?

I heard the sanskrit name for pumpkin is kooshmanda. There is a story that kooshmanda is the son of kooshmanda devi, created by Lord Vishnu. He is an asura and torturing the devas. Ultimately he was killed by the Lord.

I will be pleased to know the answer from our illustrious friends. Thanks

N.R.Ranganathan.

 

[renuka]

I dont know how far its true..but the Kushmanda (which is also called Ash gourd) is supposed to represent an life.

That is why red kumkum is smeared on it and when it breaks the red colored kumkum and the Kushmanda juice represents blood.

Its is broken to satisfy the entities of the unseen kind and to ward off "evil".

It could have its origin in some non vedic sacrifices.

This is what I have heard long back.

I stand corrected.

 

[Raji Ram]

It is a practice to cut a 'bali' - a white pumpkin with kumkum inside and place in all directions, around the new house.

And, one full white pumpkin painted with a demon face will hang in front of the new house.

We see metal plates painted with demon face hang on the front wall, in many houses.

There is an interesting page here about 'warding off an evil eye'!

What is called Drshti and why people break white pumpkin

In Sing. Chennai, most of the shop keepers break white pumpkins on ALL new moon days which is hazardous to the two wheel drivers! :sad:

 

[Janaki Jambunathan]

It is a practice to cut a 'bali' - a white pumpkin with kumkum inside and place in all directions, around the new house.

Break it if you must in sucha a way it is reused Like Coconut without Kunkumam etc. Youc an try recipes like Kasi Halwa and Agra Petha with them!

Try Dhrishiti Ganesa instead ! But be careful about Mantrams!!