This Family Wins Respect For Not Cutting 150-Year-Old Tree, Instead Building Home Around It

The Kesharwanis residing in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh wanted to expand their family home but one giant fig tree became a hindrance to their plans. However, instead of getting rid of the tree they came up with a novel idea instead. They ended up building their house around the 150-year-old tree. The thick trunk of the tree now grows through the middle of the building.

"We are nature lovers and my father insisted that we keep the tree," said Yogesh Kesharwani as quoted to as saying by news agency AFP, whose parent built the house in 1994 with the help of an engineer friend.

AFP

"The tree is some 150 years old. We knew it was easy to cut the tree but difficult to grow one like it," he told. The fig tree is considered sacred by many in the country and cutting one down is considered inauspicious.

"We believe that 350 million gods and goddesses reside in one peepal tree. The tree is also mentioned in the Geeta," a Hindu religious text, said Kesharwani.

His wife can pray without having to leave home, sitting before the tree in the mornings.

AFP

The family also wanted to send the message that people can put down roots in the middle of nature without destroying anything. The four-storey building is a local landmark because of its unique facade. Leafy branches jut out from the windows, dwarfing the building and prompting curious looks from passersby.

The tree has never caused any practical problems to the family, insisted Kesharwani.

AFP

"We don't even realise that the tree exists because it doesn't come in our way. It just stands there silently."

(With AFP Inputs)