Watches adorn banyan tree

Mandsaur, MP, Jun 20 (UNI) A unique tradition to tie watch or clock on a banyan tree in fulfillment of a wish is catching up at a forest village in western Madhya Pradesh.

Faithfuls worship a stone symbolising deity 'Sakat Bavji' placed under the banyan tree in the forest at Chirmoliya village, 25 Km from Afzalpur in Mandsaur district.

In recent years, the place has taken the shape of a religious place with casual visits by faithfuls to seek Godly intervention.

Once their wish is fulfilled, they return with a clock or watch that is to tied on the tree.

''At present, more than 200 watch or clock are dangling from the tree. Though the banyan tree is worshipped for years, flow of pilgrims has increased in the last two or three years as also the practice of tying clocks or watches'', says Sitamau's BJP MLA Nanalal Patidar.

Though the place is isolated, nobody dares to take away the offerings, he added.

Afzalpur police station incharge T N Pal says nobody stays at the religious place located in dense forest area.

UNI