Khejarli, Sacred village in Jodhpur district, India
Khejarli is a village situated southeast of Jodhpur in Rajasthan's arid landscape, nestled among native Khejri trees. The settlement displays a traditional rural structure with houses that blend into the dry terrain dotted with sparse vegetation.
The village marks the site of a mass protest in 1730, when hundreds of residents gave their lives to protect sacred trees from being cut down. This event is considered one of the earliest documented instances of resistance for environmental protection in history.
The Bishnoi community here follows ecological principles that shape how they interact with their surroundings in daily life. They treat Khejri trees as sacred and weave this respect into their religious practices and their relationship with the land.
The village is accessible by local bus or hired taxi from Jodhpur, located about an hour away by road. Early morning and late afternoon are ideal times to visit, as the heat is less intense during these hours.
A memorial temple in the village marks the exact spot where Amrita Devi and her three daughters started the first recorded tree protection movement. This family is now venerated as pioneers of the modern environmental movement.
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