550-year-old ‘Ram’ tree stands tall in Jagdalpur
   Date :05-Dec-2024

550-year-old Ram tree stands
 
Our Correspondent
 
JAGDALPUR, 
 
IN the Tolawada Beat of Machkot Forest Range, under the Bastar Forest Division, stands a 550-year-old living teak tree named ‘Ram.’ The tree symbolizes the local tradition of revering trees as deities, making it a sacred site. Protected by the Forest Department, this ancient tree attracts visitors and devotees from far and wide. Located approximately 40 kilometers from the district headquarters, the Tolawada Beat boasts a dense forest of sal and teak trees. Among them are four historic teak trees, aged between 400 to 550 years, arranged in a row. These trees are named Ram, Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna, after the central characters of the Ramayana. The ‘Ram’ teak tree is particularly noteworthy, with a girth of 588 centimeters and a height of 43.05 meters.
 
A legend associated with these trees adds to their mystique. It is said that many years ago, locals attempted to cut down the largest tree (Ram). However, as they began chopping, human-like voices were heard emanating from the tree, scaring the villagers away. Since then, no one has dared to harm these sacred trees, preserving them for generations to witness and admire. The Machkot forest area is home to some of the oldest teak trees in India, preserved as heritage. According to forest ranger Suryaprakash Dhruv, the ‘Ram Teak Tree,’ estimated to be over 550 years old, is considered the oldest living teak tree in the country. Recognizing its significance, the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board has featured these extraordinary trees in its promotional materials, attracting a large number of visitors to the Tolawada forest. Chaituram, the priest of the Gauri Temple and Patel of the nearby Tiriy village, shares that devotees visiting Lord Gupteshwar often consider themselves blessed after seeing the Ram Teak Tree. It is believed that during his exile, Lord Ram spent his Chaturmas (a four-month holy period) meditating on Lord Shiva in the Gupteshwar cave. This belief inspired the naming of these ancient teak trees. However, the ‘Bharat Teak Tree’ has dried up, leaving only three remaining. The forest department is making dedicated efforts to ensure their longevity. Experts from the Forest Research Institute in Jabalpur have conducted tests on the trees to aid their preservation.