Udhagamandalam  (TN):

A 900-year-old tree is still being revered and worshipped as “God” by the Kota tribe in Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu.

The tribe, with a population of some 3,000 people, including 1700 women, in seven villages, perform prayers in front of the 250-foot tall tree on auspicious occasions such as marriage, construction of a new building, or housewarming.

The villagers also make confessions or take pledge before this tree in Kunda Kotagiri, said Bellan, chief of the seven villages and a retired post master.

The diameter of the tree, said to be planted over 10 generations ago, is so huge that some 50 persons have to form a human chain around the tree, he claimed.

Kotas worship fire, moon, and nature and perform prayers in front of the tree for every single occasion and festival.

Despite having temples in all the seven village, with Ayyanoor Ammanur as presiding deity, the villagers’ foremost belief is the tree and they visit it first before conducting any function.

Tourists or general public are not allowed to stay for long near the tree and they are asked to leave immediately after offering prayers, Bellan said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore /  PTI  / August 03rd, 2014