Tucked away in the serene village of Guradiya Sanga, is a grand banyan tree….
That whispers tales of the wishes of the old, young and the free…
Imagine a tree, not adorned with leaves and fruits, but with hundreds, even thousands, of CLOCKS! No, this is not one of those ‘aesthetic’ street art wonders you find by local, indie, uber-GenZ artists. This is a wonder in itself, at one of the most popular pilgrimage sites of India- Ujjain!
You may have a lot of questions, so did I. To put it simply, people would flock to this intriguing spot, not to escape time (we are Gen-Z, we have dark thoughts), but to ‘change their fortunes’. Ghadi wale Baba, a local deity residing within his unusual abode- a banyan tree overflowing with a thousand clocks, would grant people their wishes.
Once upon a time, a deity possessed a unique power…
The power to alter one’s destiny. Delving deep into the rather peculiar origins of the Clock Tree, we find a backstory to Ghadi wale Baba. According to local deities, Ghadi wale Baba possesses the unique power of altering one’s destiny, due to which a large number of devotees visit and offer clocks as tokens of gratitude after their wishes are fulfilled. With no designated priest or caretaker, devotees arrive at the temple, bow their heads in reverence and whisper their deepest desires.
“It is said that someone having a bad time makes a wish here,” shares Babulal, a local villager. “When their wish is fulfilled and the time is good, the devotees go after offering the watch.”
“This temple changed my life,” says one visitor, clutching a freshly offered clock. “I came here with a heavy heart, but now, my burdens feel lighter.”
Today, the tree stands adorned with over 2000 clocks, an aspect that stands as a testament to the devout faith and belief of the large number of devotees who visit the Tree.
“I wasn’t getting married, and I prayed here,” says one devotee. “After my marriage, I came back and offered a watch.”
Another adds, “Problems in our family were solved after we visited this place.”
This is word-of-mouth, from the experiences of a few individuals, however reality of the Ghadi wale Baba remains shrouded in mystery still.
An ancient mystery?
The ritual of offering a clock at the Clock Tree is steeped in tradition and symbolism. However, apart from offering clocks, devotees also present coconuts, incense sticks, and even cigarettes, a gesture of gratitude for answered prayers.
The Ghadi Wale Baba temple and the Clock Tree have become a popular attraction, drawing curious visitors and devout pilgrims alike. While the origins and the reasons behind the specific offerings remain unclear, the unique tradition continues to capture the hearts and imaginations of many.
As the sun sets in the village of Guradiya Sanga, the lights fall onto the endless branches of the banyan tree, adorned with clocks and timepieces left behind by devotees, standing as testaments to their unwavering faith, devotion and trust. Whether one sees it as a fascinating blend of faith and folklore or a quirky cultural phenomenon, the Ujjain Clock Tree is undoubtedly a place that will leave you ticking with wonder.
