Sacred groves of Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam

More than 300 tree species mentioned in ‘Holy books’ ” (Bhagvad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bible, Quran, Tripitaka, Zend-Avesta, Guru Granth Sahib) related to different religions (Hinduism,[4] Christianity,[5] Islam,[6] Jainism,[7] Buddhism,[8] and Sikhism)[9] are reared in different zones of the Biodiversity Park.[10] Many tree species are commonly seen in more than one religion. For example, Fig (Ficus carica) is almost common to all religions. Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera), Olive (Olea europaea), Pomegranate (Punica granatum), Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) are common to Christians and Muslims.[11] [12] Neem (Azadirachta indica), Sacred Fig or Peepal or Bodhi (Ficus religiosa), Sal (Shorea robusta), Sandal wood (Santalum album), Bilva (Aegle marmelos) are common to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.[13] Banyan (Ficus bengalensis) and Sacred Fig (Ficus religiosa) are common to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainsism, Judaism and Christianity. The Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba) is viewed as a sacred tree in all religions of China, Korea and Japan.[14][15]

Some of the notable sacred plant species of the park are:Maidenhair tree Ginkgo biloba, Christmas tree Araucaria excelsa, Peepal/Sacred Fig/Aswaddha, Ficus religiosa, Banyan/Marri/Vata Ficus benghalensis, Ashoka tree Saraca asoca, Date palm Phoenix dactylifera, Indian Cedar / Devadar Cedrus deodara, Cypress Cupressus sempervirens, Olive Olea europaea, Neem Azadirachta indica, Mango Mangifera indica, Kadamba Anthocephalus cadamba, Sandal wood Santalum album, Sami or Jammi Prosopis cineraria, Bel or bilva or maredu Aegle marmelos, Moduga/Flame of the Forest Butea monosperma, Holy cross / Calabash tree Crescentia cujete, Indian lotus or Padmam Nelumbo nucifera, Basilicum / Tulasi Ocimum sanctum, Rudraksha Elaeocarpus ganitrus.[16][17][18]

Sacred grove zone view of Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam

The ‘Sacred groves’ Zone of Biodiversity Park contains more than 100 plants under 5 different categories namely Ganesha vana, Nakshatra vana, Raasi vana, Saptarishi vana and Navagraha vana. The pictures are shown in the gallery. Some plants or trees are common to more than one vana or garden. For example, Raavi / Peepal / Sacred Fig (Ficus religiosa) is common to Ganesha vana, Raasi vana, Saptarishi vana and Nakshtra vana. Similarly Sandra / Chandra / Kachu (Acacia catechu) is common to Nakshatra vana, Navagraha vana and Raasi vana. Samee / Jemmi (Prosopis cineraria) / (Prosopis spicigera) is common to Ganesha vana, Nakshatra vana, Navagraha vana and Raasi vana. Bilva / Maredu / Bael (Aegle marmelos) is common to Ganesha vana, Nakshatra vana and Saptarishi vana.

Some notable sacred plant species:

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  Sacred Lotus Nelumbo nucifera, Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam
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  Ginkgo biloba - Living Fossil Plant of Dinosaur times at biodiversity park, Visakhapatnam
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  Jesus Smile - Kalanchoe lacineata - Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam
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  Christmas Tree Araucaria excelsa Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam
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  Passiflora spp. - Passion flowers - Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam
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  Nymphaea capensis - Water Lily or Kaluva yellow Biodiversity park, Visakhapatnam
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  13.Devadaru patraha-Devadaru, Ganesha worship leaves, DNCS Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam
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  Shivalingam or Nagalingam Couroupita guianensis - Biodiversity park, Visakhapatnam
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  Holy Cross -Crescentia cujete - Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam
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  Inauguration sacred zone biodiversity park Chief Guest Haribabu MP
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  Sacred groves views (1), Biodiversity park, Visakhapatnam
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  Cochlospermum religiosum Biodiversity Park
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  Passiflora spp. - Passion Flowers, Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam
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  Litchi chinensis Biodiversity park, visakhapatnam

• Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam
• Dolphin Nature Conservation Society