{
  "id": 18896720,
  "title": "Not Just Gods, Bhopal Residents Worship Trees During Diwali To Thank Mother Nature",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/not-just-gods-bhopal-residents-worship-trees-during-diwali-to-thank",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T07:47:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/not-just-gods-bhopal-residents-worship-trees-during-diwali-to-thank-mother-nature"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bhopal residents have been observing a unique tradition during Diwali for the past eight years, worshipping trees to express gratitude towards Mother Nature. This unusual practice, which took place in Bagh Mugalia Extension Colony, involves gathering on the Saturday before Diwali to perform aarti and light earthen lamps around trees. The residents, led by Umashankar Tiwari, the president of the Colony Development Committee, believe that trees are the foundation of human existence and deserve recognition for their contribution to the environment.\n\nThe ceremony aims to spread awareness about the importance of protecting trees and understanding their role in maintaining ecological balance. Participants, including children, women, senior citizens, and youngsters, engaged in collective prayers and illuminated the area with diyas. The tradition has gained traction, with neighbours from other colonies also joining in, helping to spread the message of environmental conservation.\n\nThis eight-year-old tradition successfully merges festive celebrations with environmental awareness, encouraging residents to appreciate trees and contribute towards preserving nature. By celebrating this distinctive Diwali event, the residents of Bagh Mugalia Extension Colony continue to promote a message of gratitude, greenery, and environmental responsibility.",
  "summary": "Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): While Diwali is traditionally celebrated by lighting diyas in homes and temples, residents of Bagh Mugalia Extension Colony in Bhopal have been following a unique tradition of worshipping trees for the past eight years to promote environmental conservation. Every year, on the Saturday before Diwali, residents gather to perform aarti and light earthen lamps around trees,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}