Tryst with Trees

Sylvan seclusion: A panoramic view of Gurudwara Ritha Sahib, nestled among the hills of Uttarakhand.

Roots of faith: Devotees at the sacred Ber (Ziziphus jujuba) tree in Gurudwara Ber Sahib at Sultanpur Lodhi.

Awaiting the faithful?: The abandoned border shrine at Gurudwara Lahura Sahib, village Ghavindi, Lahore.

Desert bloom: The sacred datun (Populus balsamifera) tree in Leh is situated in the midst of a narrow lane which is why it is without a building.

Congenital twins: The Sahara (Crebulous aster) tree, growing conjointly with the giant peepal (Ficus religiosa) tree at Gurudwara Datun Sahib, Cuttack, Orrisa.

Preserving for posterity: The sacred tahli (Dalbergia sissoo) tree in Gurudwara Tahli Sahib, Nawanshahr, has been carefully wrapped with cloth.

Standing high: The large Peepal (Ficus religiosa) tree in Gurudwara Pipli Sahib, Amritsar.

Faith and fervour: Devotees at the sacred Jand (Prosopis cineraria) tree at Gurudwara Jand Sahib in Gumti Kalan, Bathinda.

Affirmation of faith: Devotees at the garna (Carissa opaca) tree in Gurudwara Garna Sahib, Dasuya, Hoshiarpur.

Nature’s cradle: A devotee seeks blessings for her child at the karir (Capparis aphylla) tree in Gurudwara Karir Sahib in Littar, Ludhiana.

Standing guard: Members of the Harian Velan sect at the sacred date palm tree, covered with green creepers, at Gurudwara Harian Velan, Bajraur, Hoshiarpur.

Celestial glory: March 2005: The Kalp Vriksh (Mitragyna parvifolia) tree at Gurudwara Kalp Vriksh Sahib, village Attari, Ropar, unfolds into the sky as a giant umbrella.

Green grandeur: The sacred, ageing Beri (Ziziphus jujuba) tree in Gurudwara Beri Sahib, Raikot, Ludhiana, is supported by stilts, yet bears fruit.

In the evening of life - a green glow: Despite its age, the Reru (Acacia leucophloea) tree in Gurudwara Reru Sahib, Nandpur, Ludhiana has rich foliage and bears fruit.

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TRYST WITH TREES - Punjab’s Sacred Heritage - by D S Jaspal. A pictorial documentation of 50 sacred Sikh shrines named after 19 species of trees

NOW AVAILABLE AS COFFEE TABLE BOOK FROM THOMSON PRESS, INDIA