It's really quite an evocative sight to see, particularly for Buddhists who regard the tree as sacred. The tree that is believed to be home to several parakeets also has a small temple at its trunk. The banyan tree is the taller of the two, grown up to 100 feet. Large banyan tree. Peepal tree or Pipal (Ficus Religiosa) is considered to be one of the most sacred trees in our Hindu culture since ages. Over the years, aerial roots of the pipal wrap around the host tree, growing down to the ground, where they take root. To Buddhists, pipal is a symbol of nirvana (enlightenment). Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on April 22, 2014: Beautiful trees with a unique shape and height I have learned so much more about these trees from your hub. The tree can propagate naturally from its seeds, and the seeds can germinate on even muddy walls, structures, other buildings and also on the wood of other trees. The major noticeable difference being in the appearance of leaves. Text & photographs © Kaj Halberg, 2015. Banyan tree – 200 to 500 years The acquainted and widespread Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) is a relative of the Peepal, as are Gular/Dumar (Ficus racemosa), Pukar (Ficus Benjamina) and Kamarup (Ficus microcarpa). Greensleeves Hubs from Essex, UK on October 24, 2014: Thanks VioletteRose for your reply. The trunk and leaves of an Indian banyan tree. Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under this native deciduous tree of India. Eventually, the host tree is strangled to death, and as its trunk decays, it leaves the pipal tree, standing as a hollow cylinder of aerial roots. I have searched using the said words in google and found what you have mentioned. Apart from all these medicinal uses, banyan tree is considered a sacred tree in India and is worshipped. The above picture from Wikimedia Commons Image shows monks praying near the peepal tree or Bodhi tree. Can someone quote where that might be stated? Since ancient times it is said that when there is no hope left for a particular thing or output you expect is not attained, then peepal tree can come to your rescue. I LOVE banyan trees, I live in the subtropics and they have a few very stunning, very old ones around my city and these trees are just fascinating! For 49 days and nights he sat here, deep in meditation. I always thought बर (Banyan) was the husband of पीपल (Peepal). The life span of the banyan tree and peepal tree. Voted up. They have strong aerial roots which turn woody as they grow up. The oldest peepal tree in earth is planted in 289 BCE and it is currently located in Sri Lanka. Most pipals begin their life as an epiphyte in another tree, the seed often sprouting in a pile of bird dung, delivered by the bird that ate the fig fruit. The time from birth to an organism’s natural death reflects its lifespan. Just as a hermit cannot raise a family or support a household and only has spiritual aspirations. FlourishAnyway from USA on April 23, 2014: These are beautiful trees I have never personally encountered, and I enjoyed learning about them. It is believed that the largest banyan tree in the world is located in the Botanic garden in Kolkata, India. Anupama July 24, 2014 August 12, 2018. Voted up,beautiful ,useful and interesting. The picture of the banyan tree that looks like many trees but is really one tree is fascinating! Even though the roots of peepal trees also grow deep and large and woody in time, they are not aerial. For five years, he had been wandering the roads of northern India, searching for an answer to a question, which had bothered him for years: Why were people suffering? However, the tree still continues to grow even though it looks like individual trees. In the above pictures from Wikimedia Commons Image, the first image shows the leaves in a peepal tree and the second image shows its trunk. There is a myth that says young people should never plant these sacred trees since this can reduce the lifespan of those who plant them. The berries are purple and also grow in pairs. Thank you so much :). The leaves of the banyan tree are used as fodder for elephants and for making leaf-plates. Best wishes. Peepal is a storehouse of medicinal worth and is used to deal with many illnesses and ailments, starting from bronchial asthma and pores and skin ailments, to kidney and varied blood-related issues. In every traditional Hindu temple there is a Banyan tree or a Peepal tree on the East side. A traditional shade where stones are laid for sitting on. The tree can be either planted from a new plant, a branch or its seeds. This was a great educational hub with terrific photos, too. Even Jains and Budhists worship the Peepal tree. On … In many parts of rural India, it is still a tradition to gather under a banyan tree or peepal tree when there are issues to be discussed and decisions to be made. The Significance Of The Ardhanarisvara Concept In Hinduism, Investing in Stocks, Bonds, Real Estate, More. That looks really unique and interesting, which I never knew before. Peepal is also called Bodhi tree, under which Gautama Buddha got enlightened 3900 years ago. Even though the roots of peepal trees also grow deep and large and woody in time, they are not aerial. The Buddha and Buddhism are descibed in detail on the page Religion: Buddhism. Peepal tree or Pipal (Ficus Religiosa) is considered to be one of the most sacred trees in our Hindu culture for ages. A banyan, also spelled "banian", is a fig that begins its life as an epiphyte, i.e. This is the oldest flowering plant in the world and it is planted in Sri Lanka using a branch of the Bodhi tree, where Buddha is believed to be enlightened, brought from India in 289 BCE. Then he got up, convinced that he had found the answer. This can also be related with a belief which says that your mind will be the most clear and you can think without any stress if you meditate or even spend some time near these trees. The banyan trees usually reach a height of about 30 meters, however in terms of circumference, an almost grown tree can cover an area of about 1 acre. All these beliefs might be due to the fact that, these large trees would have provided the best environment for prayers and meditation for even sages and saints, since they are the best trees that can provide shades. Over the following centuries, a village, named Bodhgaya, sprung up around this tree, and many Buddhist temples were built here. Learn how to use this tree as medicine. Contact: Hardy Highlanders – People and Wildlife of the Himalaya, Iran 1973: Car breakdown at the Caspian Sea, Iran & Turkey 1973: “Kurdistan! It's probably because I have always seen these trees together on चौतारीहरु (chautaris) in villages- mostly on the opposing sides of a chautari. An organism’s lifespan can depend on the species. In the Botanical Garden in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), eastern India, a 250-year-old banyan is the largest of its kind in the world (see picture above). The central mother-trunk was destroyed by a lightning in 1919 and has since rotted away, but about 1,825 of the aerial roots have grown into trees, which today are c. 25 m high, covering an area of more than 14,000 m2, equivalent to almost 1.5 ha (3.7 acres). Banyan is an evergreen tree of great medicinal value. Thanks for sharing the information about the famous banyan tree in the Thai capital. Both Indian banyan trees and the peepal trees are very similar species, in fact different varieties with in the fig trees, with much similarity in appearance and other features. Banyan has broadly oval leaves and long aerial roots, which hang down from the branches, often taking root and over time creating a ’forest’ of trunks, all of which are in fact a single individual. VioletteRose (author) from Atlanta on April 23, 2014: Thank you all for your kind comments, I am glad you all like these trees :). Another fact that supports this theory is that the leaves of these trees can freshen the polluted air, and since these are very large trees, the air surrounding the trees will be the most fresh, always, which in turn can help people improve their concentration and clear the negative thoughts, thus bringing positive energy to the mind and body. PEEPAL TREE AND BANYAN TREE – THE TWIN FLAME. I like learning about plants. The Peepal fits into the latter. To Hindus, banyan and pipal are both a symbol of the mighty god Vishnu – friend and preserver of mankind. The Banyan tree is the male equivalent and Peepal is the female counterpart. Indian banyan tree and peepal tree are sacred trees of Hindus and Buddhists in India and other Asian countries. Banyan trees usually refer to the Indian banyan trees which has the scientific name Ficus benghalensis. The banyan tree, on the other hand, is very familiar to me, not only as a specimen plant in horticultural gardens, but also on travels to Asia, and in particular to Thailand. Banyan (Bargad) National Tree of India Let me first start with Banyan tree One might NOT believe me but the Banyan Tree is being considered as to be the national tree of India. The same way, the banyan tree represents … They prefer full sunlight and can grow in … b) Planetary transits bring a lot of turbulence and hindrance in your life and to overcome from it . The tree covers about a circumference of half a kilometer and it has about 3300 aerial roots. The major noticeable difference being in the appearance of leaves. One day, about 500 B.C., a 35-year-old man was walking along a dusty road near the town of Gaya, northern India. All rights reserved. While the banyan was the bride, the peepal growing next to it was the groom. When the AMC decided to cut a 70-year-old Banyan tree in Vastrapur, several citizens came together to stop it. Peepal tree is considered to be a realised soul, and hence it hears your yearning, and it responds to you in the same manner. Ficus religiosa or sacred fig is a species of fig native to the Indian subcontinent and Indochina that belongs to Moraceae, the fig or mulberry family.It is also known as the bodhi tree, pippala tree, peepul tree, peepal tree or ashwattha tree (in India and Nepal). Alun. Peepall trees are also very large trees which can be grown as shading trees. VioletteRose (author) from Atlanta on October 23, 2014: Thanks so much for reading Alun, and I am so sorry for the late reply. This is actually a single tree. This is also a tropical tree which is evergreen, and it grows very large and woody in time and it is considered very sacred too. As I mentioned above, Indian banyan trees and peepal trees are considered very sacred trees by both Hindus and Buddhists. Alun. Even Jains and Buddhists worship the Peepal tree. It is one of the most iconic images from the site, and the tree is consequently much revered. It is a symbol of pride and a matter of great importance for the womenfolks of India. Updated: Apr 27, 2018, 06:35 AM IST. The trees have flowers and fruits, but these are not edible. In India these trees are planted near roads as large shading trees which can give shelter to numerous birds as well as the tired travelers. Thanks for sharing this wonderful hub, great photos too! VioletteRose (author) from Atlanta on May 01, 2014: Dave from Lancashire north west England on April 24, 2014: Interesting,informative and well written enhanced by beautiful images. Book a luxurious stay with Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. Voted up. However, for the young plants to grow properly, either the seeds have to germinate where there is enough space for the roots to grow, or someone has to replant it in well drained and prepared soil. In India and Nepal, villagers often plant two species of fig trees, banyan, or Bengal fig (Ficus benghalensis), and pipal, or sacred fig (F. religiosa), side by side, and as they grow larger, stone benches, called chotara, are constructed around their trunks. Eight or 11 or 12 years after the tree has been planted, the upanayan ceremony is performed for the tree. It is believed that peepal tree emits the pranic energy, which is helpful in achieving the enlightenment in the life. The natural propagation of the trees happen through the seeds, however, just like the case of the Indian banyan trees, they need enough space to grow up. Cuttings from this tree exist in Sri Lanka that date back to 288 B.C. It is true that Ancient Indians honored all the trees, But some particular trees and plants are considered sacred and have been worshiped over thousands of years. An excellent treatment for tooth decay is a mix of Peepal and Banyan tree barks. Indian Banyan tree is the National tree of India. Goodbye To Toothache. The Indian Banyan trees and the peepal trees produce small green berries which turn orange or red in color as they ripen, and these fruits are known as figs but they are not edible. - Acheter cette photo libre de droit et découvrir des images similaires sur Adobe Stock In fact the tree was hit by a lightning in1925 which resulted in the splitting of the main trunk. Jackie Lynnley from the beautiful south on February 21, 2015: VioletteRose (author) from Atlanta on February 21, 2015: Hi Jackie Lynnley, that is so kind of you! The average life span of an Indian banyan tree is thought to be more than 1000 years, although no valid records of this can be cited. Both Indian banyan trees and the peepal trees are very similar species, in fact different varieties with in the fig trees, with much similarity in appearance and other features. Every evening the village women light lamp at these trees. 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