Honey is a sweet and viscous fluid produced by honeybees from the
nectar of flowers. Honey is an integral part of traditional pooja thali.
Honey symbolizes the sweetness of eternal love, purity and prosperity.
During the pooja ritual, honey along with milk, tulsi and yogurt is
poured on the idols. Honey is used to prepare Madhu-parka - a
beverage made of honey, sugar, and milk is offered to the deity. The Sanskrit word for honey is "madhu." In Hindu mythology, the gods Vishnu, Krishna and Indra were called Madhava (the nectar-born ones) and their symbol is the bee. Kama, the Indian god of love, carries a bow strung with bees indicating that love's sweetness can also cause pain.
Medicinal Benefits
Honey is, in fact, almost pure sugar. About 40 percent by volume is fructose, a simple sugar, which turns into glucose without any digestive change whatsoever and makes honey the quickest source of energy. An additional 34 percent is dextrose, 2 percent is glucose and 18 percent is water.
Indian Honey also contains significant amounts of minerals like B-complex vitamins, amino acids and digestive enzymes, but quantities fluctuate according to the composition of the plant from which the bees gathered their nectar.
One of honey's most remarkable qualities is its hygroscopic nature. This means that it absorbs moisture from the air or from any moisture-bearing material. The most obvious result is that breads and cakes made with honey stay moist and chewy longer than confections made with sugar.
Honey is antiseptic because it destroys the water content in bacteria. For centuries, honey was used to treat wounds and burns, and it is still sometimes employed as a surgical dressing. Because honey helps the skin retain moisture, it is an excellent lotion and facial mask. Painting oneself from head to toe with honey is an effective if messy way to combat dry skin.