Wednesday, February 8, 2017

MP Diaries - The Baobab, Mandu Ki Imli

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’. 
Baobab Trees, Mandu
Baobab Tree Welcoming us to Mandu
Baobab Tree
Bare Baobab Tree with only Fruits
Baobab Tree Inside Baz-Bahadur's Palace Complex
Mandu Ki Imli
Upside-Down Tree
Malik Mughith Mosque and the Baobab 
Baobab Reflection in Somvati Kund
Oldest Baobab Trees
Probably the Largest and the Oldest Baobab Tree we saw 
Mandu Ki Imli
Baobab Fruit on Sale
Value Added Products from Baobab Fruits

References:
1.AFRICA Natural Spirit of the African Continent- By Gill Davies

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13 comments:

  1. So interesting. They have a fake tree inspired by this at Disneyworld Orlando if I remember correctly.

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  2. Interesting facts about Baobab! Its like kalpavriksh where every part of the tree is used..:)

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  3. This is interesting. Glad to know about the Imli.

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  4. Interesting information on Imli trees

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  5. Baobab trees are amazing. Specially the ones found in Madagascar. I found the ones in India, much different to those in Africa.

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    1. Yes ajeya..we think it depends on the climatic and environmental conditions..

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  6. These Baobabs are part of our heritage and need to be protected. We are fighting in saving an OLD Baobab in Hyderabad Nanakramguda....

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    1. Good work...hoping your sincere efforts will really save that baobab tree. Sadly, every city today is facing the crisis of deforestation due to urbanization..

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  7. Interesting trees in The Mandu, and so ancient.

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  8. How lucky of you to have seen these rare trees. However, for Mandu its a different story. People are so familiar to it :)

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  9. So less is spoken about MP tourism :) loved the tale of the angry deity and up side down trees :)

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