Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 12: A person selling tender coconut on his pushcart under a huge tree in front of Jyothi Talkies in the city by the side of Balmatta government women's college near the Ambedkar Circle has been offering puja to the tree that provides him shadow and shelter every day. By his act, he seems to express his gratitude to the nature that has provided him shelter besides preserving his religious faith.

This tree was spared the axe during the period several other trees here were felled for road expansion a year back, after some environmentalists opposed it. Thereafter, someone hung a board announcing that the tree is connected with a Daiva at Kadri and those who harm the tree will have to face the wrath of the Daiva. Satyanarayana Janardana Devadiga who sells tender coconuts here is from Kadri and is a god-fearing man.

After learning that the tree is connected with a Daiva in Kadri, he has been offering puja by placing flower and lighting scented sticks in the morning, since the last six months. Before taking his spot under the tree, he salutes the tree. Satyanarayana, who carries on with his business till 7 pm, says that many trees here were cut down and there is no loss in offering puja to the tree. He wishes that this tree will stay there forever.

Satyanarayana, who is selling tender coconut here since the five years, says that he used to bow before the tree before he came to know that it belongs to a Daiva a few months back. After that he started to offer puja to the tree, he adds.