Meenakshi’s sacred forest

On the left, the forest caretaker, on the right, Mr. Selvapandian.

The sun was warm in early February. The trees were beautiful and tall, having grown up in just a few short years on land that had been completely barren.

Under the expert guidance of Mr. Selvapandian, botanist and Project Manager of the C.P.R. Education and Environmental Centre, fifty acres have been transformed as part of a project of the Meenakshi Amman Temple. Launched in 2006, the project is being carried out by CPREEC on a plot of 300 acres of land owned by the temple, and eventually all these acres will be planted.

Organic vegetables are being grown on the acres near the trees. These are used for the free meals that the Meenakshi Temple provides for people.

Ten acres of trees are part of the Nakshatra Rasi Vanam. By donating 1000 rupees, which goes towards the upkeep of…