SACRED TREES OF TEMPLES OF TIRUCHIRAPPALLI, TAMIL NADU - THE NATURAL AND ECOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF INDIA

Sacred trees (Sthalavrikshas) representing one form of nature worship are common in the temples of Tamil Nadu and other parts of India. Sacred trees (Sthalavrikshas) are important not only for their botanical, economical, medicinal, environmental, religious and mythical values but also forms an important biological heritage of our nation that plays role in the conservation of environment and biodiversity. The present study dealt with the survey of the trees of some temples in and around Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. The study documented about fifteen plants associated with twenty temples. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]