A Unique Great Banyan Tree - Almost 250 Years Old - Howrah.

I went to Howrah along with mom and dad in 2012 for my tonsuring ceremony. After the tonsuring ceremony was completed it was time to explore one of the main city of India that is Howrah, West Bangal were I came across this unique “The Great Banyan Tree”

The Great Banyan Tree is located in botanical Garden in Howrah that is known by the name of Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden. The gardens were founded in 1787 by Colonel Robert Kyd, an army officer of the British East India Company, primarily for the purpose of identifying new plants of commercial value, such as teak, and growing spices for trade.

This Banyan tree is said to be 250 year old. When you see this tree from a distance it appears just like a forest however once you step into its shade and see the connection of branches that you realize it is one tree. 

The area occupied by the tree is about 18,918 square meters (about 1.89  hectares or 4.67 acres). The present crown of the tree has a circumference of 486 m. and the highest branch rises to 24.5 m; it has at present 3772 aerial roots reaching down to the ground as a prop root and appearing like individual trees.

 Its height is almost equivalent to the Gateway of India and is the main attraction of botanical garden. This tree can provide shared to 10,000 people. Stretching upto 4.76Km it’s a widest tree in the world. The Indian Government has released a postage stamp in its honour.

There are many cyclones that this tree may have seen but surviving the two of the greatest cyclones that came in the year 1864 and 1867 shows the toughness of the tree.  The tree however could not bear the brunt of lightening that struck the main trunk in 1925. This made the main trunk diseased and it could not survive. Therefore the main branch had to be cut in the same year. So, now there are just the subsidiary branches that are standing all on their own without the help of the main trunk.

Some of the Facts about Banyan Tree.

1. The Banyan Tree is the National Tree of India.

2. It often refers specifically to the Indian Banyan or Ficus Benghalensis.

3. It was adopted as National tree of India in 1950.

4. One can find the Banyan tree is throughout the Indian Nation.

5. The name “Banyan” is derived from “Banias”, who rested under the trees to discuss their strategies regarding business.

6. The largest banyan tree in India resides at the Indian botanical garden in Shibpur, Howrah in West Bengal.

7. It is a fig starts its life as an epiphyte. (A Plant growing on another plant).

8. The huge sized tree acts as a shield, protects from hot sun. This is the reason why the tree is planted near homes, temples, villages and roadsides.

9. In the rural parts of the country, Banyan tree is considered as a focal point of the Panchayants and the gathering place for village councils and meetings.

10. The Banyan tree is considered sacred by the Hindus, it is also known as ‘Bargad’, ‘Vata’ and ‘Barh’

11. Married Hindu women worship the banyan tree to lead a long and happy married life. 

12. In many parts of the world, the wood and bark of the banyan tree are used for making paper.

Where:

Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden
Botanical Survey of India
Shibpur
Howrah
West Bengal 711 103 India.

Note : If anyone come across any unique place like above do comment below.