Virupakshi Hill Banana

Virupakshi Hill Banana
Geographical indication
Description	Bananas from Virupakshi region
Type	Agricultural
Area	Virupakshi, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu
Country	India
Registered	2008–09

Virupakshi Hill Banana is a type of banana grown in the Virupakshi region in the Palani Hills of Western Ghats in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.[1] It was declared as a Geographical indication in 2008–09.[2]

Description

The banana is cultivated at higher altitudes along the Palani Hills in the Western Ghats. It is often grown as a rain-fed crop grown during the South-west monsoon season. In the 1990s, cultivation areas were reduced by more than 90% as the crop was severely affected by Banana bunchy top virus. With various steps taken to alleviate the same, cultivation has expanded in the past decade.[3][4]

Each tree bears a bunch of 70-100 fruits, which are first harvested after 18 months. The fruits are yellowish-green in color and is known for its unique smell and sweetness. The ripe fruits are firm with a thicker peel. The fruit is one of the five ingredients used in the Palani Panchamirtham, a unique panchamrita, made at the Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani.[4][3]

References

1. "Application details". Government of India. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
2. Geographical indications in India (Report). Government of India. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
3. "Farmer's Journal: Meet the Fragrant Virupakshi Hill Banana, Endemic to the Palani Hills". Kodai Chronicle. 18 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
4. "Virupakshi bananas and Pazhani panchamrutham". Patcheri. 29 August 2022. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2023.