Asian Indians have been worshiping trees since time immemorial and many civilizations owe their gratitude to the trees and plants without which life cannot exist. Trees and their products are part of our religious and cultural rituals and ceremonies. As a matter of fact, tree is closely linked with the lives of humans right from the birth till death - cradle to grave. In Indian culture trees are believed to be conscious; like humans and they can feel the pangs of pain as well as happiness like us. A few decades ago a Botany professor at Annamalai University, Chidambaram, TamilNadu proposed a theory that "trees and plants grow better in response to music." Different trees like banyan (Ficus bengalensis), bel (Aegle marmelos), neem (Azadirachta indica), peepal and many more have close association with Hinduism and various deities and are believed to have enhanced the religious and spiritual sanctity.
01. Trees play a vital role in the production of solar energy which is important for the flowering, fruits plants, including medicinal plants, seasonal crops, pulses, etc
02. Trees are home to numerous birds and animals and give us cool shadows - a place for the weary people to rest and relax after a long exposure to the sun. To build a shelter above our roof, we use wooden beams, rafters, planks cut from the trees.
03. Many religions of the world have some kind of links with the trees. The Yule Tree in German mythology, the Tree of Knowledge of Judaism and Christianity, the Christmas tree, the Bodhi tree in Buddhism and Saglagar tree in Mongolian Tengrism are worth mentioning.
04. In both India and Sri Lanka, Buddhists venerate the Bodhi Tree which is said to have protected the Buddha when he was meditating to attain enlightenment. The Bodhi tree symbolizes enlightenment and wisdom and people with spiritual bent of mind would prefer cool shadows of Bodhi Tree to meditate in order to reach self-realization and sainthood.
05. One will be surprised to note the close similarity between the life cycle of humans and that of trees. They represent a powerful symbol of birth, growth, death and rebirth. The various phases of growth, the annual death and revival of their foliage, make the trees stand apart.
06. Evergreen trees such as banyan that remain green throughout these cycles and are sometimes considered symbols of eternity, immortality or fertility. In Tamil Nadu, in particular, young women worship trees for a certain period to be blessed with a baby. People hang a small image of a cradle from the tree in the hope, they will be granted a baby by the almighty. Likewise people hang from the tree a small piece of cloth dipped in turmeric water, asking for favors such as winning a court case, cure of physical and mental ailments of family members, successful passing of a tough exam, etc.
07. In folk religion and folklore, trees are often said to be the homes to some tree spirits. Here in India there is even a belief in yakshas or yakshis, or nature spirits, that may dwell in trees or other natural places. By worshiping trees in which yakshas may inhabit, people seek to please the spirits and bring health and prosperity into their lives. This is often done by placing incense and candles at the root of the tree or performing "tree puja." Sometimes the small stone images of deities and Naga spirits may be placed near the roots since the tree offers shade and protection to them. In rural areas, people believe that there are good as well as bad spirits living in the trees. Hence, they worship certain trees to avoid mishaps.
08. Hindus worship trees to convey their gratitude to them without which we can not survive on this earth. Bel rudraksa (seeds of Elaeccarpus) and Ber (Zizyphus jujuba) are believed to be closely associated with Lord Shiva and wearing the dry beads with certain number of faces is considered good for the people.
09. Some trees are favorite of certain gods Sala - Shores robusta and Pipal are favorite of Vishnu; Kadamba (Anthocephalus cadamba) favorite of Sri Krishna; Mango tree (Mangifera indica) of Lord Hanuman; Asoka tree of Kama Devi; silk cotton (bombax malabaricum) of Goddess Laksmi; Sriphala (Cocos nucifera) -dear to Varuna or the lord of waters/rain.
10. Neem tree that has medicinal values is believed to be the abode of Sitala; Pipal of Goddess lakshmi; Amla tree of both lords Shiva and Vishnu. Pink lotus - Nelumbe nucifera is the favorite of many goddesses.
11. Sala is sacred to Buddhists because lord appeared and passed away under it. So are Pipal and bargad under which Lord Buddha got the enlightenment.
12. In the famous Puri Jagannath temple, the three main deities - Sri Krishna, Balarama and Goddess Subadra re made of neem wood and every 12 years or so they are ceremoniously replaced by fresh wooden idols. The rathas - chariots are entirely made of wood and every year old chariots are replaced by new ones.
13. During some Joyous ceremonies banana fruits, etc, betel leaves are exchanged between people. In all weddings in South India, at the entrance to the venue, a pair of banana tree trunks with a bunch of bananas are tied to the poles on either sides. Like wise prior to the wedding function, a ceremonious wooden pole is erected in front of the Mantapam and pooja is done by Vedic Pandits, chanting specified mantras and this custom is followed by Indian communities across India. In Hindu temples the main symbolic tree is worshiped first as part of temple ritual. Kodi yattram or hoisting of temple flag is an important ritual to be done before consecration of temples.
14. Even in the case of death in Tamil Nadu fresh
bamboo poles and coconut leaves are used to build a bed called "Paadai" to carry the dead body to the cremation ground. Tradition has been that dried cow dung and fire wood are used to cremate the body. In other religions wooden boxes - coffins are used to bury the body in the earth.
Thus our lives are interwoven with trees, flowers and plants and without them, we the humans cannot survive on this planet. Devoid of adequate green cover environment will become disastrous and a change in the weather/ climate pattern will be detrimental to the very existence of our civilization that depends on water and trees.
http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chapters/Sacred-Trees-of-the-Hindus-1.aspx
01. Trees play a vital role in the production of solar energy which is important for the flowering, fruits plants, including medicinal plants, seasonal crops, pulses, etc
02. Trees are home to numerous birds and animals and give us cool shadows - a place for the weary people to rest and relax after a long exposure to the sun. To build a shelter above our roof, we use wooden beams, rafters, planks cut from the trees.
03. Many religions of the world have some kind of links with the trees. The Yule Tree in German mythology, the Tree of Knowledge of Judaism and Christianity, the Christmas tree, the Bodhi tree in Buddhism and Saglagar tree in Mongolian Tengrism are worth mentioning.
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| Peepal (Ficus religiosa) www.quora.com |
05. One will be surprised to note the close similarity between the life cycle of humans and that of trees. They represent a powerful symbol of birth, growth, death and rebirth. The various phases of growth, the annual death and revival of their foliage, make the trees stand apart.
06. Evergreen trees such as banyan that remain green throughout these cycles and are sometimes considered symbols of eternity, immortality or fertility. In Tamil Nadu, in particular, young women worship trees for a certain period to be blessed with a baby. People hang a small image of a cradle from the tree in the hope, they will be granted a baby by the almighty. Likewise people hang from the tree a small piece of cloth dipped in turmeric water, asking for favors such as winning a court case, cure of physical and mental ailments of family members, successful passing of a tough exam, etc.
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| Bel -Bilva tree (dear to Lord Sjiva). kannadigaworld.com |
08. Hindus worship trees to convey their gratitude to them without which we can not survive on this earth. Bel rudraksa (seeds of Elaeccarpus) and Ber (Zizyphus jujuba) are believed to be closely associated with Lord Shiva and wearing the dry beads with certain number of faces is considered good for the people.
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| Banyan with characteristic adventitious prop roots. en.wikipedia.org |
09. Some trees are favorite of certain gods Sala - Shores robusta and Pipal are favorite of Vishnu; Kadamba (Anthocephalus cadamba) favorite of Sri Krishna; Mango tree (Mangifera indica) of Lord Hanuman; Asoka tree of Kama Devi; silk cotton (bombax malabaricum) of Goddess Laksmi; Sriphala (Cocos nucifera) -dear to Varuna or the lord of waters/rain.
10. Neem tree that has medicinal values is believed to be the abode of Sitala; Pipal of Goddess lakshmi; Amla tree of both lords Shiva and Vishnu. Pink lotus - Nelumbe nucifera is the favorite of many goddesses.
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| Puri Jagannath Temple Chariots made of wood . www.jagannathtemplepuri.com |
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| Wooden (from Neem tree) idols of Lords Krishna, Balarama and Goddess Subathra. newglobalindian.com |
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| South Indian wedding. www.pinterest.com |
14. Even in the case of death in Tamil Nadu fresh
bamboo poles and coconut leaves are used to build a bed called "Paadai" to carry the dead body to the cremation ground. Tradition has been that dried cow dung and fire wood are used to cremate the body. In other religions wooden boxes - coffins are used to bury the body in the earth.
http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chapters/Sacred-Trees-of-the-Hindus-1.aspx
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