Khejri Tree (Prosopis cineraria): Rajasthan's State Tree and How to Grow It in Jaipur
Prosopis cineraria
Khejri is Rajasthan's state tree: it stays green in the hottest months, enriches the soil and gives sangri and fodder. How to plant it in Jaipur, care for it in the first three years, and why it matters to the Bishnoi community.
Cultural significance
Khejri is Rajasthan's state tree, and India Post issued a stamp on it in 1988. As Shami, it has spiritual importance in Hindu tradition: the Ramayana and Mahabharata describe Shami-puja, and its wood was used to kindle the sacred fire for yajna. In parts of Rajasthan, green Khejri twigs are worshipped on Janmashtami.
The Bishnoi community follows Guru Jambheshwar's teaching to protect green trees and wildlife. In 1730, at Khejarli village near Jodhpur, Amrita Devi Bishnoi and her three daughters gave their lives trying to stop Khejri trees from being cut for the Jodhpur ruler's construction work. Many more Bishnois followed; the number commonly reported is 363. The Rajasthan government notes that this sacrifice later inspired the Chipko Movement of the 1970s.
This article was prepared with AI assistance. Please check important details against the sources shown in each section.
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