Image conscious: Rooted in Hindu mythology

Ganesh image appears on tree, scores of Hindus visit ‘holy site’.

AMAN GARH:

An image of a Hindu god with an elephant’s head called Ganesh was said to have appeared on a Shisham tree in the area. Caravans of Hindus have reached the area to pray under the tree.  According to residents, the tree is located along Khanpur Road near Taranda Siwa Khan Chak-100P Pattan Minara Minor’s eastern edge.

The Shisham tree is in the care of a local farmer, Rehman, who first noticed the image five years ago. “The image has gotten a lot more defined and I called several people from the Hindu community to take a look,” he said.  Hindus from far flung areas are now coming to the site to pray.

The curators of the ‘Ganesh Tree’ Bhagat Nibal Das, Dongar Das and Moro Ram Bheel said that they had observed the image five years ago but that it was now clear and complete. “This is a sign.

This is a sacred place and our friend, Rehman, has allowed us to pray here,” they said.  Dozens of Hindus, who had come to pray at the site on Wednesday said that they had a scuffle with several religious clerics in the are who had tried to cut down the tree but Rehman had stopped them. “I told the maulvi that the image had appeared on my land and that I would not allow anyone to cut the tree.

This is sacred to these people and I respect that,” he said. On Wednesday, the Lord Ganesh festival is being organised under the tree and members of the Hindu community said they would hold a prayer ceremony for Pakistan’s safety.



Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2011.