CUDDALORE: Miracles are always astonishing, but never wholly inexplicable. So how does one explain to the villagers of Patcharapalayam how a peepal tree uprooted by cyclone Thane in December last year managed to straighten itself, apparently without any external help?
On Monday, villagers thronged to offer prayers to a 35-year-old peepal tree outside a temple after it reportedly straightened itself four months after it was uprooted. Venkatesan of Patcharapalayam village says, “Parasuraman, a Class X student, visits the temple every evening to switch on the lights and turn on a music player with devotional songs. On Friday evening, he informed me that the tree, which has been lying on its side for so many months, was standing upright. I did not believe it at first, and even after I saw it I could not believe my eyes.”
Parasuraman says, “When we were playing around 4 pm, the tree was lying on the ground. But when I returned by 6 pm, I was shocked to see the tree standing straight. I ran and informed everyone in the village”
Paneer Selvam, who works in the temple says: “Ten days before the (‘Chithirai one’) festival, we allowed contractors to cut and remove the tree. They cut off some branches and left the trunk. It is impossible to straighten this trunk manually, it would require a poclain to do so.” However, there are no signs that a poclain was used.
Dr P Arutchenthil, assistant professor of TNAU, said: “This could have happened due to the roots of the tree. Since the branches of the trees were cut, the roots at one side may have started to pull the trunk. The sand at the roots of the giant tree might have also acted in its favour.” Allegedly 10 days ago, another uprooted tree at Pallavarayanatham straightened itself surprising villagers by surprise.