Botanical Name

Triticum aestivum

Common Name

Wheat,  gehun, kanak (Hindi), Godumai (Tamil), godhuma (Sanskrit)

Religious Significance

 It is associated with Surya (one of Nava Dhanyas) which is wheat.

 In  Vedic astrology Surya is considered a mild malefic on account of his hot, dry nature. Surya represents soul, will-power, fame, the eyes, general vitality, courage, kingship, father, highly placed persons and authority

Uses

Wheat is used mainly as a human food. It is nutritious, con­centrated, and easily processed into various types of food.

Wheat contains gluten protein, which enables leavened dough to rise by forming minute gas cells that hold carbon dioxide during fermentation.