Mandu, apart from being well
known for its rich heritage is also significant for the presence of a good
number of Baobab (Adansonia Digitata)
trees. Unlike other locations in India where the trees are present either
singly or up to a maximum of three in number, Baobab trees can be sighted across
the length and breadth of Mandu. Being native to Africa, they are considered as
one of the very ancient and longest living trees. These trees also find a
mention in the Hindu epic of Mahabharata. An African folk-tale claims that their
consorted shapes were caused by an angry deity plucking the tree from the ground
and thrusting it back in again upside down. Hence, they are also called as
upside-down trees with their branches resembling the roots after they shed their
leaves. The Baobab trees have an incredible quality of storing water in their
trunks in high capacities and hence are a lifeline to the locals of the tropical
regions of Africa. The Africans consider the Baobab as sacred and refer to it
as the ‘Tree of Life’. This tree possesses amazing medicinal properties and is of great nutritive
value. Apart from providing shelter,
water and food to many, every part of its tree proves useful in many ways. It
is truly the tree of life. The Baobab is locally known as ‘Imli’ (tamarind),
or ‘Bada Imli (Big tamarind) in Mandu and is popularly referred to as ‘Mandu
ki Imli’.
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| Baobab Tree Welcoming us to Mandu |
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| Bare Baobab Tree with only Fruits |
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| Baobab Tree Inside Baz-Bahadur's Palace Complex |
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| Upside-Down Tree |
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| Malik Mughith Mosque and the Baobab |
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| Baobab Reflection in Somvati Kund |
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| Probably the Largest and the Oldest Baobab Tree we saw |
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| Mandu Ki Imli |
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| Baobab Fruit on Sale |
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| Value Added Products from Baobab Fruits |
References:
1.AFRICA Natural Spirit of the African Continent- By Gill Davies
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So interesting. They have a fake tree inspired by this at Disneyworld Orlando if I remember correctly.
ReplyDeleteYes you are right Christine..they do.
DeleteGreat, Beautiful pics.
ReplyDeleteInteresting facts about Baobab! Its like kalpavriksh where every part of the tree is used..:)
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting. Glad to know about the Imli.
ReplyDeleteInteresting information on Imli trees
ReplyDeleteBaobab trees are amazing. Specially the ones found in Madagascar. I found the ones in India, much different to those in Africa.
ReplyDeleteYes ajeya..we think it depends on the climatic and environmental conditions..
DeleteThese Baobabs are part of our heritage and need to be protected. We are fighting in saving an OLD Baobab in Hyderabad Nanakramguda....
ReplyDeleteGood work...hoping your sincere efforts will really save that baobab tree. Sadly, every city today is facing the crisis of deforestation due to urbanization..
DeleteInteresting trees in The Mandu, and so ancient.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky of you to have seen these rare trees. However, for Mandu its a different story. People are so familiar to it :)
ReplyDeleteSo less is spoken about MP tourism :) loved the tale of the angry deity and up side down trees :)
ReplyDelete