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Khejri Tree (Shami / Jand)

Botanical Name: Prosopis cineraria

Khejri sustains desert wildlife and livestock, fixing nitrogen in arid desert soils.

Sacred to Bishnoi community. State tree of Rajasthan. 363 Bishnois died protecting these trees in 1730.

Official Botanical Fact Sheet

Common Name: Khejri (Shami / Jand)

Botanical Classification: Prosopis cineraria

Mapped Heritage Trees Count: 14 Cataloged Trees

Primary Habitat: North India, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Kashmir

Citation Source: Kesu Environment Foundation Ethnobotanical Archives.

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Harpreet Singh (via Facebook)• Sultanpur Lodhi

Jul 12, 2026

Our grandfather used to tell us stories about sitting under the shade of this tree during morning prayers. A true sacred treasure of our heritage.

Simranjit Kaur (via Facebook)• Amritsar

Jun 28, 2026

Visited last winter with family. The tranquility around the canopy is surreal.

Mapped Khejri Heritage Trees (0)

Botanical Taxonomy & Ecology

Sacred to Sikhs and Hindus. Associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji and various Gurudwaras (Ber Sahib).

Named in Sikh scriptures. Hard wood traditionally used for temple construction and village assemblies.

Sacred across Indian traditions. Many Gurudwaras (Amb Sahib) are named after heritage mango trees.