The leaves of Akshay Vat, also referred to as an indestructible sacred banyan tree situated inside Akbar’s fort on the banks of the river Yamuna, will be part of the ‘cultural gift’ from India
Why is the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government sending leaves from the centuries-old Akshay Vat, the ancient banyan tree in Prayagraj, to more than 100 countries along with invitations for the upcoming Maha Kumbh from January 13 to February 26?
The leaves of Akshay Vat, also referred to as an indestructible sacred tree which is situated inside Akbar’s fort on the banks of the river Yamuna, will be part of the ‘cultural gift’ from India. The gift will include a traditional basket made up of moonj grass, water of the river Ganga and diyas made up of cow dung, incense sticks and other traditional items.
Officials with the UP government have assigned the task of preparing cultural gift baskets, which will accompany invitations to delegates from at least 100 countries, to women-led self-help groups under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development.
“It’s nothing but an attempt to showcase our rich Indian culture and make the world aware of our roots,” said a UP government official.
“And nothing would have been better than sending a leaf of Prayagraj’s Akshay Vat, the indestructible tree mentioned in Hindu mythology with a great history, along with other traditional items that represent our tradition and rich culture,” the official added.
THE GRAND OLD BANYAN TREE
Standing on the banks of the Yamuna, the centuries-old Akshay Vat holds immense significance for Prayagraj and Sanatanis, who regard it as an essential stop to complete their pilgrimage. “It’s a mythological tree. Pilgrims ensure they visit it after taking a holy dip at the Sangam to complete their pilgrimage,” said Professor Yogeshwar Tiwari, History Professor at Allahabad University.
“Prayers at Akshay Vat are believed to fulfil spiritual aspirations, making it a focal point for saints and pilgrims, especially during the grand festival,” said Tiwari.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ram visited Bharadwaj Muni’s ashram in Prayag during his forest journey, where Muni narrated the importance of the banyan tree. Blessed by Sita, Akshay Vat is said to be the only tree to survive the deluge that submerged the earth. “Mentioned in Kalidasa’s Raghuvansha and the travelogue of Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang, Akshay Vat is believed to grant ‘Akshaya Punya’ (eternal virtue) to those who visit it. India is home to four such sacred Banyan trees: Akshay Vat in Prayagraj, Griddhavat in Soron, Siddhavat in Ujjain, and Vanshivat in Vrindavan,” he pointed out.
MUGHALS FAILED TO DESTROY AKSHAY VAT
He said Akshay Vat is also said to be an indestructible banyan tree. It is believed that despite 23 attempts by the Mughals to destroy it, the tree survived and still stands tall in its full glory. However, having been located within Akbar’s fort on the banks of the Yamuna, Akshay Vat faced restricted access during the Mughal and British eras. Even after India’s independence, the fort remained under military control, making it difficult for the public to visit this revered tree.
2018 MARKED A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE FOR AKSHAY VAT
The year 2018 marked a significant milestone for the Akshay Vat. During his December 17, 2018, rally in the Andawan area, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Akshay Vat and Saraswati Koop and announced their opening to devotees. The site was formally inaugurated on January 10, 2019, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offering prayers.
Initially, the army had granted access only until March 31, 2019, creating uncertainty among Prayagraj Mela Authority officials about whether public access would continue. However, during the formal closing ceremony of the 49-day Kumbh Mela on March 5, 2019, at Parade Ground, CM Yogi Adityanath announced that Akshay Vat and Saraswati Koop would remain open for devotees 11 months annually, with one month reserved for routine army operations. Since then, Akshay Vat has been accessible to the public.
PM MODI MAY INAUGURATE AKSHAY VAT CORRIDOR
In 2023, the Uttar Pradesh government took another significant step to revive the mythological Akshay Vat by allocating a budget of Rs18 crore under the Smart City project. After a meeting between the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) and army officials, both sides agreed to expedite the construction of a corridor leading to the sacred tree.
The project included building a grand entrance gate, renovating railings and floors along the pathway, and installing attractive lighting, LED screen lights, façade lights, and a sound system for the beautification of the Akshay Vat complex. The devotees can now perform ‘Parikrama’ (circumambulation) of the holy tree, believed to fulfil wishes, along a newly constructed path with enhanced facilities and a new protective fence. The project aims to offer pilgrims a spiritually enriching experience in a modernised setting. The corridor, which represents a blend of tradition and modernity, is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.