There is a a huge Banyan tree very close to my home in Civil Lines. I have seen it grow from large to huge in the last 30 years that I have resided near it. Civil Lines is a very green locality with many large trees. But this tree dwarfs them all. It is about 20 meters in diameter and the top branches easily clear a three storey building.
When we first moved to this colony, the area around the tree was unpaved dirt. Being at the local lowest point, during the rains, all the water from the neighborhood used to flood around the tree making it treacherous to navigate to the main road on foot or even a two wheeler. But within a couple days all the rain water used to seep into the ground, recharging the water table. Unfortunately, it was also the colony dumping yard. So with water and garbage it was messy during those times.
Some ten years back the local MLA got a big chabutra constructed around the tree complete with red granite stone facing. The hanging roots were also bunched together and protected with a tree guards. I was initially apprehensive that the chabutra might choke the roots but that was not so. The huge tree must be having roots much beyond the chabutra and today it more lush than ever. In fact, it is once again the chopal of the locality.
I am told that before this region was converted to urban colonies, it was actually a village called Madrampura and this tree was probably its center chopal / Piazza. Today badh-ka-pedh serves not just the old and new residents of this neighborhood but is also home to thousands of birds. There are multiple colonies of parrots, pigeons and doves on this tree. From my rooftop I often see birds hopping from one branch to the other as if visiting family and friends. Young parrots can be seen swinging on the wee branches, devouring the bright red berries or just rough housing. In the afternoon, all the colony maids gather under it for a tete-e-tete while their children play around, hanging from the roots or sometimes climbing the branches. The trunk of the tree is strewn with discarded pictures and small statues of deities. On any given day, one can see of couple of cows and an occasional goat ruminating under the tree. By nightfall, all the local stray dogs gather here for their regular nocturnal meeting.
A generous resident has installed a cold drinking water pyau (water kiosk). Along with these, the deep shade under the tree in the summer invite all the passersby. It is hard to believe that at a stones throw away from one of the posh localities of the city one can see such a rural scene. In the election season, the local politicians of all hue and colour set up shop under it with their banners hanging conveniently from the low branches. Bard-ka-pedh also serves as a backup parking space in case of an occasional overflow of vehicles in the neighborhood. Any visitor, unfamiliar with google maps, is directed to reach this tree and we walk down from home to collect them.
God forbid if any monkey dares to take refuge in the tree. The noise of protest from the resident birds and raucous barking of the dogs drives them away. The residents are also very protective of the tree. At the first hint of any encroachment around the tree, or danger to the tree, the whole neighborhood is in an uproar. While an occasional vegetable vendor cart is tolerated, none dare to set up a more permanent shop under it.
I am sure the Bhagat-Vatika-ka-badh-ka-pedh will continue to thrive and be the lung (and heart) of the neighborhood for next 100 years just as it has in the past.
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