Given the dangerous nature of their jobs, performing religious rituals and reciting holy verses before starting work each day is a very common practice at police stations in Delhi. However, policemen at the newly-established South Avenue Police Station in lutyen’s Zone have taken religious fervour to new heights. They begin each day by praying before a tree branch that they believe resembles lord Ganesh.
The newly-carved out South Avenue Police Station in the posh lutyen’s Zone, which will be the 162th police station in the national Capital, was earlier a police post of Chanakyapuri Police Station. The new police station will be formally inaugurated on Friday by lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung.
The peepal tree, that is making news in the area, is inside the premises of South Avenue Police Station. The branch that is at the base of the tree trunk is jutting to the side and resembles lord Ganesh’s trunk and has what looks like an eye and a tusk. This has led the policemen to believe that the peepal tree has some divine powers and they worship it daily.
It all began a few months ago when a policeman noticed this unusual growth in the side of the tree.
“A few months ago, a constable posted at the police station noticed the branch that resembles lord Ganesh and informed other staff members. Within a few days the news spread and the policemen began worshipping it,” said a police officer.
Not only does the staff at the police station seek divine blessings from lord Ganesh’s image, some residents of the high security lutyen’s Zone, which houses Members of Parliament and Embassy officials, also visit the premises daily to offer prayers.
A resident told The Pioneer, “A police officer informed me about this tree. When I came and saw it, I found that the branch actually resembles lord Ganesh.”
The branch has now been painted pink and black to catch the eye of visitors to the police station. To further enhance its resemblance to the elephant god, a golden crown has also been placed on it.
A small idol of lord Hanuman and a Shiv lingam have also been placed under the tree that has now been secured by a small fence to complete this little temple under the now-famous peepal tree.