Parijaat tree, Kintoor
The Parijaat tree is a sacred baobab tree in the village of Kintoor, near Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, Indialegends.[1][2]
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[edit] The tree
In botanical terms, Parijaat is known as Adansonia digitata and has been kept in a special category, because it does not produce either its fruit or its seeds, neither can its branch cuttings can be planted to reproduce a second Parijaat tree. This is a unisex male tree, the botanist say, that there is no such tree anywhere else to be found. The leaves of this tree in the lower portion has five tips like the fingers of a hand, while at the upper reaches it has seven. Its flower is very beautiful and white in colour, on drying out it takes on golden tinge. This flower has five petals. This tree blossoms very occasionally, with very few flower, but when it does, that is after the 'Ganga Dashehra', spreads its fragrance far and wide. The age of this tree is said to be 1000 to 5000 years. The perimeter of the trunk of this tree is around 50 feet and height of around 45 feet.[1]
[edit] Mythology
Kintur, about 38 kilometres (24 mi) east of the district headquarters, Barabanki, was named after Kunti, mother of the Pandavas. There are a number ancient temples and their remains around this place. Near a temple established by Kunti, is a special tree called Parijaat which is said to grow from Kunti's ashes.[3] There are a number of legends about this tree which have popular acceptance. One being that Arjun brought this tree from heavens and Kunti used to offer and crown Lord Shiva with its flowers. Another saying being, that Lord Krishna brought this tree for his beloved queen Satyabhama or Rukmini.[4] Historically, though these saying may have some bearing or not, but it is true that this tree is from a very ancient background.[5]
According to the Harivansh Puraan the Parijaat Tree is a kalp-vraksh, or wish bearing tree, which, apart from this tree, is only found in heaven.[2] Newly-weds visit the tree for blessings, and every Tuesday a fair is held where local people worship the tree.[6]
[edit] Parijaat flower
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The leaves of this tree in the lower portion has five tips like the fingers of a hand, while at the upper reaches it has seven. Its flower is very beautiful and white in colour, on drying out it takes on golden tinge. This flower has five petals. This tree blossoms very occasionally, with very few flower, but when it does, that is after the 'Ganga Dashehra', spreads its fragrance far and wide. The age of this tree is said to be 1000 to 5000 years. The perimeter of the trunk of this tree is around 50 feet and height of around 45 feet. There is another popular saying that, its branches do not break or dryout but shrink and disappear into the original trunk. The nearby people consider it to be their protector and obliging, henceforth they protect its leaves and flowers at all costs. Local people hold it in high esteem, in addition to the large number of tourists who visit to see this unique tree. The one in Bandana's house has special flowers which are said to fall as soon as Bandana passes by in the daylight.
[edit] Saving drive
In October 2010 Uttar Pradesh government formed a four member expert committee to save these ancient, historical and religious trees from a dying condition due to attack by moth and other insects. Professor Akhtar Hussain, of Acharya Narendra Deo Agricultural University lead the team, other members were Dr H N Singh, A K Saxena and Prof T K Chakravorty.[4][7]
[edit] References
- ^ a b http://barabanki.nic.in/places.htm
- ^ a b Wickens, Gerald E.; Pat Lowe (2008). The Baobabs: Pachycauls of Africa, Madagascar and Australia. Springer Science+Business Media. p. 61. ISBN 9781402064302.
- ^ Kameshwar, G. (2006). Bend in the Sarayu: a soota chronicle. Rupa & Co.. p. 159. ISBN 9788129109422.
- ^ a b "Experts to save ancient Parijat tree". Times of India. 26 October 2010. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Experts-to-save-ancient-Parijat-tree/articleshow/6811856.cms. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
- ^ Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers: Bara Banki. Government of Uttar Pradesh. 1993. p. 21. OCLC 7625267.
- ^ "Tree From Paradise". Indiatimes. http://spirituality.indiatimes.com/articleshow/-1798953681.cms. Retrieved 27 November 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "UP govt to save the ancient Parijaat trees of Barabanki". United News of India & Central Chronicles. http://www.centralchronicle.com/viewnews.asp?articleID=50241. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
