Shami, known in English as Prosopis cineraria and by the trade name ‘Kandi’

Found in the Thar Desert and other dry areas. Its other names include Ghaf (United Arab Emirates), Khejri, Jant/Janti, Sangri (Rajasthan), Chhonkra (Uttar Pradesh), Jand (Punjabi), Kandi (Sindh), Vanni (Tamil), Shami, and Sumri (Gujarati). Are included.

The Khejri tree remains green even in the month of Jeth and provides shade to the desert animals in summer. When there is a shortage of food, it provides fodder (loong) and flowers (meenjhar). Its fruit is used as sangri, vegetable and when dried it becomes khokha (dry fruits).

Its strong wood is used for burning and making furniture, and plows are made from its roots. In times of famine, such as during the Chhapaniya famine of 1899, people survived by eating the peels of its stems. The grain yield is also higher under this tree.

Literary and cultural importance

Kanhaiyalal Sethia’s poem ‘Meenjhar’ in Rajasthani language beautifully depicts the usefulness and importance of the Khejri tree. There is a tradition of worshiping Shami on the day of Dussehra, and the tradition of plucking Shami leaves while returning home after Ravana Dahan is considered a symbol of gold. Its medicinal properties are also important. There is a mention of the Pandavas hiding the Gandiva bow in this tree in the last year of their exile, and there is also a mention of Lord Rama worshiping Shami before conquering Lanka. Shami wood is considered sacred for the samidha of yagya, And it is especially used in spring season. Shami’s Samidha also has special significance on Saturday.

In the year 1983, Shami was declared the state tree of Rajasthan state.