Why cutting Pumpkin by women is forbidden?

Pumpkin is a delicious and nutrient-rich vegetable that’s popular across the world. It comes in various shapes, sizes, and colours, enriching cuisines worldwide. When it comes to India, this amazing vegetable is known by several names, such as Kashiphal, Kaddu, and Petha. There are several dishes one can make with it. There are several beliefs and traditions associated with this vegetable across the globe. One of the popular beliefs associated with this vegetable is, that it should not be cut by women in India but the men. But, why is it so? Find out all about it in this article. (Images courtesy: iStock)

In some cultures, the pumpkin holds symbolic significance, representing fertility, prosperity, or protection against evil spirits in parts of America. In India, as per popular Indian beliefs, pumpkin is considered to be the elder or eldest son. This is why in several parts of India, women do not cut the whole pumpkin. As per popular beliefs, there is a tribal community in Chhattisgarh, where the women even today do not cut pumpkins because it is like sacrificing an elder son. Therefore, whenever there is a whole pumpkin, the men of the house cut a piece of it into half, and then only the women can chop it.

In the Hindu religion, women are prohibited from breaking coconuts as well and this is why, whenever the fresh coconut is broken, the men are asked to do it. Similarly, pumpkin follows the same belief. Women can offer coconut in puja, but cannot break it. In Sanatan Dharma, things like coconut and pumpkin are considered to be the symbols of sacrifice in Sattvik worship and this is the major reason, why the women are prohibited from cutting or chopping the whole pumpkin.

According to Sanatan Dharma, a woman is the creator and not the destroyer. She is the mother who gives birth and not sacrifices. Mythologically, the animal sacrifices were done by the men and not the women, and pumpkins along with coconut are considered safe sacrifices that humans can do in place of animals.