35-year-old sacred peepal tree of temple near Mettupalayam relocated

As the tree was considered sacred, the temple administration had approached Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) four months ago, expressing its intent to relocate the tree in its same premises.

Thereafter, a team of experts from TNAU, Osai, an environmental NGO and Save Bhavani Trust, an organisation of social activists studied the prospects of relocating the tree.

Preparatory work for relocating the tree was taken up for over the last one month. “After performing a puja on July 2, the soil around the deep roots of the tree was removed and watered daily for the last 15 days to loosen its grip. A little distance away, a 10-feet deep pit was dug out to plant the tree,” said Syed of Osai. The final works to relocate the tree commenced on Tuesday evening following another puja performed by the temple authorities. The tree was carefully uprooted by a crane and was planted in the pit.

“The relocating work tree began at 4 pm and was over by 10 pm. The pit was then filled with ‘mother’ soil (thaai mann taken from the place where it stood). The tree has been relocated to the temple premises in nandhavanam (garden area),” said Syed. A mixture of manure including veppam punnakku (neem cake), earthworms and dried elephant dung, sourced from elephant camps of the temples and mutts along the banks of River Bhavani, was used to nurture the growth of the tree.

Usually, trees are pruned off their branches during relocation to help easy transportation. However, this peepal tree was shifted without being trimmed of any of its branches. A large number of devotees gathered at the temple to watch the relocation process.