As 26th January is our Republic Day, I have a tree from a special unique place.
Its a Keekar (Acacia variety) that has its home at Longewala.
Longewala is a place near Jaisalmer in India's Rajasthan state . It is close to the international border and was witness to a fierce battle in 1971.
There is a memorial at the spot that displays captured enemy weapons, tanks etc. There is also a short film that recreates the events of December 1971 and it is shown in an actual bunker. The entire ambience gives one goosebumps and one can only salute the brave.
You can read more about it here and here.
Here is the tree.
The Keekar seems to have a twin trunk or a low first branch. That low branch has grown almost horizontally and curves for quite some distance. In fact, it has been propped up with some supports.
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| Support for the branch |
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| This image gives an idea of the horizontal curving branch. I tried to get an image without people but that was next to impossible considering the queue to see the film. |
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| Leaves |
6 comments:
I've read of a concept called witness trees - trees that have witnessed an event important to us. I've been to many battlegrounds in my United States but it's probably unlikely any were true witness trees. But the tree you blogged about may be a real witness tree. It deserves to be honored.
I have been to Longewala and now I am thinking did I miss seeing this tree? It's beautiful and so unique. Reminds me of a tree in Sankatmochan temple in Varanasi. Thanks for joining, Archana. Looking forward to seeing you on the 25th.
Thanks Alana! Indeed this tree may have witnessed the battle.
Happy to participate in TTL Parul!
Oh wow! The tree has a story to tell and that first branch makes it quite a sight!
Thank you for sharing this, Archana.
Belated Republic Day wishes. :)
Thanks Divya!
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