Phichit ‘Bodhi tree’ sprouts pink leaves for Songkran
A diminutive “Bodhi tree” at Wat Pho Thong in Phichit has produced rare pink leaves just in time for the Songkran festival, drawing hundreds of admirers.
The temple is in Bang Mun Nak district.
The fig tree – referred to as a Bodhi and regarded as sacred because of its connection to the Buddha – is said to be in its “most pink” state, and thus most beautiful, from March through June each year.
The pink leaves stemming from white branches will then also turn white as they begin withering.
This tree has reached its maximum height of 1.2 metres. It stands next to a 100-year-old Bodhi tree, under whose sweeping branches it was discovered in 2001.
In the interest of conservation, visitors are prohibited from plucking the pink leaves or even touching them.
Several Thai temples have reported pink Bodhi trees in the past five years, drawing curious tourists and lottery punters hoping to discern lucky numbers.
The pink leaves are not a supernatural phenomenon, agriculture experts say, but rather genetic mutants.
The Lord Buddha is believed to have achieved enlightenment while meditating under the original Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, 2,500 years ago.
