Chinar Trees

Subject: Geography

It is a deciduous tree that belongs to the cold regions of the world, mainly in the Kashmir valley of India. Their real beauty unfurls in fall when the foliage turns to a blood-red and mauve color. The leaves eventually turn yellow and amber. The name ‘Chinar ‘comes from the Persian word, which means- “What a fire”
Chinar trees characteristically grow in Eastern Himalayas. Their botanical name is Platanus orientalis.
Type: It is a large, deciduous tree known for its longevity and spreading crown.
These trees have survived for ages because Chinar is basically a long-living tree. It spreads wide across a region of cool climate with sufficient water. In autumn, its deep green leaves may change to blood red, amber, and yellow.

History of Chinar

In fact, the oldest Chinar in Kashmir is said to have been planted in 1374 and is almost 600 years old.
It is 14.78 meters tall and is located in Kashmir’s Budgam district. The tree was adored by Mughal Emperors such as Akbar, Nur-ud-Din Muhammad Jahangir, and even Aurangzeb.
It has even been dubbed the “royal tree.” Following his conquest of Kashmir in 1586, the great Emperor Akbar is supposed to have planted over 1,200 Chinar trees. On Dal Lake, there is a small Chinar Island called ‘Char Chinar’. The island’s name comes from the fact that it has four Chinar trees planted on it. Emperor Jahangir erected these four trees in such a way that they will always cast a shadow on the island. They are among Kashmir’s most popular tourist destinations.
The Chinar tree is locally known as ‘Bouin’ in Kashmir. The name comes from the Sanskrit term ‘Bhawani,’ which means Goddess. The Chinar trees, a religious emblem, can be found in the Kheer Bhawani temple as well as at other Goddess Bhawani shrines throughout Kashmir. These lovely trees can also be seen at Kashmir’s most famous mosques and shrines, such as Sultan-ul-Arifeen and Hazratbal.

Application of Chinar tree: