.... a Continuation post.
2nd October 2016
Mr Hariharan, GM TS explained the varieties of
plants, trees and herbs in side the Theosophical Society premises ( could not
remember the numbers. But as per Nandan Sankriti Kaushik's recorded message of Mr Hariharan, GM
- TS, 85 kinds of insects, 200 kinds of birds, 40 to 50 types of fishes and
150 different types of plants and trees ). Liked the cannon ball trees with
cannon balls hanging with a fragrant smell of flowers, that total atmosphere
mas like heaven.
Mr Hariharan, G M – TS, led us through the foot paths covered
with thick vegetation and no one behind or before. It was frightening to look
at the back. Even at 16.30 Hrs the path was too dark and gets light through the
tree branches. It was awesome. With out a known person to lead, there is every
chance of getting lost in the Theosophical Society’s jungle..
The
arch brought from Chandragiri fort – a Vijayanagara period
The
Bodhi tree in front of the Buddhist shrine
Which
path you will take..right or left..
See the light at the centre
The
flower ‘Senganthal - செங்காந்தள்’- is the
Tamil Nadu’s official flower. It is a wild and poisonous plant with very good
medicinial value
THE GREAT BANYAN TREE
The tree was there when the piece of land of 25 acres
of land bought at a cost of Rs 8900 ( as per Mr Hariharan, G M of TS). The tree
is estimated to 450 years old and covers almost 40000 square feet. The main
trunk was up rooted by a cyclone during 1989 and a portion of main trunk
survived. Historical important events were held under the tree. The first
meeting of Indian National Congress was held under the tree during 1914. The
Atmosphere inducted an idea of Starting Shanthi Nikethan at Madras for
Rabindranath Tagore, but could not materialised.
BAOBAB TREE –
THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,
There
are about species of trees inside the Theosophical society campus. Some of the trees
or the saplings are brought from foreign countries with soil and planted. The
Baobab tree is the origin of African continent and in Tamil it is called as பப்பாரப் புளி. This is
called in different names as up side down tree (since the branches are like
roots), dead-rat-tree and monkey bread- tree. This tree grows mainly in
the dry countries. During rainy season it will store water in the big trunk and
used during dry season to grow. There are
about 5 verities of Baobab trees available in Africa. The fruits and seeds are
nutritious and seeds are available in the form of powder. For further
reading.
There
are about 6 such trees in Madras including one at Theosophical Society. The
other places are, Horticultural Society, Chepauk and Madras Museum, Museum
Andhra mahila Sabha, C p Ramasamy Iyer's house at Eldams road. We had seen the
tree in Egmore Museum, during our Koovam / Cooum river walk.
There are many stories and myths about this Baobab tree. One
such myth in India is, if one circumambulate this, their wishes will be
fulfilled.
Thank you very much Sir
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