Siddha Bakula tree of Haridasa Thakura

A few weeks ago we were in Jagganatha Puri sitting right next to the siddha bakula tree where Haridasa Thakura would daily chant Hare Krishna hundreds and thousands of times. It was written on the information board that around two hundred years ago Gajapati Maharaja, the King of Puri, wanted to cut the tree down to get material to build a ratha for the Jagganatha Rathayatra. But Jagganatha dasa Babaji Maharaja (the spiritual master of Bhaktivinoda Thakura) protested by sitting and fasting next to the tree. Weeks of fasting failed to convince Gajapati Maharaja to change his mind and he sent his servants to cut the tree down. To the surprise of the servants, the tree was hollow inside, and so they didn't cut it down. Thus Jagganath dasa Babaji's faith and determination saved the tree where Haridasa Thakura ecstatically chanted the Lord's names. It shows how special a soul Jagganath dasa Babaji is. It also shows how when something is used in service it takes on spiritual significance. it was no longer a normal tree, it became part of Lord Chaitanya's nitya lila, and so it is possible for a sincere, pure devotee such as Jagganath dasa Babaji to have tangible and intimate relationships of reciprocation with the Lord through such pilgrimage sites. It is also our fortune that these pastime sites are still here, and who knows what amazing things may happen in the future there?