Punjab: The Centuries-Old ‘Ber’ Tree and Ber Fruit at the Golden Temple

Punjab: Devotees at the Golden temple wait for hours to collect ‘ber’, a fruit from berry trees which they receive as prasad. The historic berries at Sachkhand Sri Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar are blooming with fruit this year as well.

These trees are known as Dukhbhanjani Beri, Ber Baba Budha Sahib and Lachi Ber. The first two of these are about 400-years-old. At this time, these trees are in full bloom.

Devotees arriving at Darbar Sahib wait for hours under these berries, believing that the berries will fall down on their own. According to Sikh tradition, plucking the fruit from these berries is forbidden; therefore, only berries that have fallen to the ground are accepted as prasad.

Devotees consider them a symbol of blessings. The Dukhbhanjani berry has special religious significance associated with the story of Bibi Rajni Ji, in which her husband’s suffering is alleviated. Devotees consider these berries to be a symbol of the Guru’s blessings.

SGPC and experts are putting in special efforts to take care of these historical trees so that this heritage remains safe. A team of PAU has started the restoration of these centuries-old trees.