Thread by @Neha_alchemist

Distinctive Birdhouses of India 🐦‍⬛🦜
Housing and feeding birds is a common practice in Bharat/India.In different cities,the collective affinity for birds expresses itself indifferent ways.
In the state of Gujarat,elegant birdhouses called 'Chabutaro'-can be found in most of the

villages and hamlets. Paid for by residents, the structures are often designed and built by masons who, though not trained as designers, nevertheless are able to express the ethos of their communities.
Chabutaro-the word dervied from Gujrati word- Kabootar (Pigeons),a tower-like

structure found in India that provides nesting sites for birds, especially pigeons and other type for humans.
Both occasionally used in a broader sense to indicate any sitting platform, usually under a tree or beside any body of water. Chabutros typically have pentagonal or

octagonal enclosures at the top with holes where birds can make their nests. In Gujarat, chubatras are constructed at the entrances or centres of villages/ temples. People, particularly Hindu women in Gujarat, consider it auspicious to feed pigeons. In the early morning, adults

and children will feed the pigeons below the chabutro. The chabutaro is, therefore, usually found in the villages dominated or established by Hindus.
They are found in almost all villages. Another type of chabutro, found in Gujarat and Rajasthan, have a different design and are

built only to feed and let birds rest, but not intended for breeding purposes. The upper enclosure of such chabutras are artistically carved and designed like a window found on domes, called chhatri (umbrella). In Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, chabutras are normally found within

palaces or temples.The chabutra, the bird feeder, acts as a shelter for birds during the rainy season and gives them a steady source of food and water. Moreover, it also helps in the breeding of the birds. The octagonal chabutro (or chabutra) erected on a column,made of ornately

carved wood, or stone, came to symbolise the largest city of Ahmedabad (Karnavati) near Sabarmati river -as an intrinsic part of its culture.

It acts as a shelter for birds during the rainy season and gives them a steady source of food and water. Moreover, it also helps in the breeding of the birds. The structure of a column that supports an enclosure adorned with hundreds of holes. It seemed to me to be a geometric

abstraction of a giant tree — until a pigeon peeped out from one of the openings. There are another type of -chabutra-found within the temples of the villages. The base of the structure typically has a sitting platform under a giant tree usually Peepal tree (Sacred Fig) and

serves as a social gathering place. I loved sitting at these chabutras, felt easy and calm. The two fig trees native to India - Sacred Fig and Banyan (Peepal and Vad) are among the most venerated trees in India. Banyan is generally assumed as the national tree of India.

Its close cousin Peepal has a huge importance in the religions and culture of India. The Peepal tree has very soothing effect as its mentioned in the Bhagwad Gita ch 10 shloka.
अश्वत्थ: सर्ववृक्षाणां देवर्षीणां च नारद: | गन्धर्वाणां चित्ररथ: सिद्धानां कपिलो मुनि:

Amongst trees I am the peepal tree (sacred fig tree), of the celestial sages I am Narad. Amongst the gandharvas I am Chitrath and amongst the siddhas I am sage Kapil.
They also act as communal spaces. Elder men and women sit under their shade. Children play nearby. Festivals are

sometimes held around them. A chabutra can also be associated with the religious and cultural identities of its community. Many people build the structures as memorials to deceased friends and family members and believe that supplying them with food is like feeding the souls of

the departed. Some Hindus believe that offering food at the structure is akin to feeding god.
I would classify birdhouses as bird housing as is true with humans, the birds make use of several kinds of residential buildings. Some of the structures are like motel or dhaba/motorway

service/a place for the animals to make brief stops before traveling onward. Others are multistory apartment buildings with as many as 40 floors.
There is almost lack of attention for these kind of structures, same with the public bath houses. Nobody cares to look after. If these

structures are in foreign countries, they would be well taken and and kept emaculate. I feel people in India should take care of these structures or get help from government to maintain it.
#IndiathatisBharat
#Telesfromthepast
#PuransandItihas
#Sarvamsrikrishnarpanam 🙏☮️

@threadreaderapp please unroll 🙏