In Puducherry, Social Activists Save 100-year-old Tree

Mangalam gram panchayat in Puducherry is hitting the headlines after the social activists have helped save a centuries-old tree. According to Local18 Tamil, the owner of an Agraharam (the traditional house of the Brahmin (priest) community found in temple towns of South India) discovered a 100-year-old royal tree on his land. The owner wanted to remove the tree from the land.

At that time, the social activists passing nearby with their friends from a private organization and the Manvasana Youth Welfare Association came to know about this incident. They reached the spot and decided to cut down the ancient tree and relocate it elsewhere with the help of the landowners. This would ensure that the landowner’s work is also done successfully without harming the tree.

The tree was decided to be planted in the oldest shrine in Puducherry, Sri Gangavaraaga Nantheeswarar Temple. The main deity of this temple is Ganga Varaha Nandeeswarar, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva facing West direction.

Three days after the decision was made to plant the tree in the complex of this temple, several JCB cranes and a tractor were used by community organizations, a cybercrime investigator named Keerthi, and villagers to uproot the tree and carry it on a truck. Following this, Maha Deeparadhana (a way to commence the Hindu poojas) was performed in front of the tree planted in the Thirukanchi temple by the temple priests.

The people present at the Maha Deeparadhana expressed their respect for the tree by folding their hands and one of them photographed the entire event. The video ended with one of the officials present at the spot watering the roots of the tree. Several social media users appreciated the social organisations that have worked effectively in the fulfilment of this work.

This event prompts the question of why trees are worshipped in Hinduism. According to religious scriptures when people plant and care for trees, they take rebirth as their children. Those who give trees for charity please the gods and as per popular beliefs, they are blessed with flowers and fruit.