Ahead of Maha Kumbh 2025, the Yogi government is fast-tracking efforts to rejuvenate pilgrimage sites in Prayagraj. A key focus is on the ancient Akshayvat tree, which holds immense mythological significance. According to tradition, devotees receive the full spiritual benefit of bathing in Sangam only after worshipping Akshayvat, believed to be over 300 years old.
Historical and Mythological Importance
Akshayvat finds mention in ancient texts like the Ramayana and Raghuvansh by Kalidas. Legend says when Lord Rama visited Bhardwaj Muni’s ashram, the sage explained the tree’s importance. It is believed that Mother Sita blessed the tree. Even during the cataclysm (Pralaya), the Banyan tree survived, symbolizing immortality. Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang also documented it in his travelogue.
The tree is one of four sacred Banyan trees in India, along with Griddhavat in Soron, Siddhavat in Ujjain, and Vanshivat in Vrindavan. During the Mughal period, public access to Akshayvat was banned. This restriction continued through British rule and early post-independence years, as the fort where the tree is located was under military control.
Reopening and Revitalization Efforts
In 2018, the Yogi government reopened Akshayvat to the public, allowing devotees to worship the tree. Ongoing beautification efforts are part of the government’s larger Akshayvat Corridor project. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called for the swift completion of this work before Maha Kumbh 2025.
Local saints, like Swami Dilip Das Tyagi, praise the government’s efforts, recalling how the tree endured multiple attempts to destroy it, including cutting and burning. Miraculously, it would regrow each time. Now, with new development, Akshayvat will once again be a central symbol of faith for millions during Maha Kumbh.
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