‘Break a Department, Lose Your Sight’: Why This 500-Yr-Outdated Banyan Tree in Bihar Feared And Worshipped
Patna: A large banyan tree in Sahiari village, Aurangabad district, Bihar, stands as a silent witness to centuries of historical past. This tree stretches throughout a full acre. Tons of of trunks rise from ground-level roots. Native residents name it a dwelling goddess.
Villagers imagine this banyan holds divine energy. A warning circulates – break a department and lose your sight. Beneath its huge cover, a small shrine honours a goddess. Girls, males and youngsters pause right here to hope. The tree’s milk-like sap displays therapeutic traditions handed down by means of generations.
Native elders say, “Nobody is aware of its actual age. Our grandparents mentioned it stands over 500 years.”
They typically come right here to relaxation and pray. Pilgrims journey lengthy distances to the touch its historic roots.
Households carry the tree’s white sap dwelling. They apply it to the eyes, believing it cures illnesses. Festivals and rituals unfold in its shade. The tree stays a focus of village life.
This species has grown into therapeutic traditions throughout South Asia. In Nepal, folks nonetheless depend on banyan bark and leaves to deal with diarrhea and dental points. Their leaves are consumed for arthritis reduction.
Bihar’s Surroundings Division lately added this tree to a listing of 32 heritage bushes throughout 5 districts – Buxar, Aurangabad, Jamui, Munger and Bhagalpur. Species embrace banyan, peepal, neem, mahua and tamarind. The choice honours bushes at the least 100 years previous and rooted in spiritual or cultural traditions.
Surroundings Minister Dr. Prem Kumar has introduced a conservation initiative. Forestry specialists will research the tree. They’ll deal with illness, strengthen roots, and act to maintain it wholesome for hundreds of years forward.
The division additionally launched a cellular app referred to as ‘Bihar Heritage Tree’. Residents can add images, GPS location and particulars of sacred bushes. Officers will confirm nominations. Strong grassroots participation may immortalise native traditions.
For recognition of an previous tree as a heritage tree, necessities are strict. The tree needs to be at the least 100 years previous, positioned on public land with none possession dispute, alive throughout three generations and have cultural or spiritual significance and recognition by botanists.
This banyan tree joins a distinguished listing – a 1,400‑yr‑previous tree in Chhattisgarh’s Korba, a 900‑yr‑previous Adansonia digitata in Jharkhand’s Palamu, a 250‑yr‑previous banyan at Kolkata’s Botanical Backyard and a 450‑yr‑previous African baobab, domestically referred to as Elephant Tree in Hyderabad.
The 100+ years previous bushes get pension from the federal government beneath the Guardian Tree Pension Scheme – which was launched in December 2021. Fifty bushes acquired month-to-month funds in 2022. Additionally they get donations and company CSR help to make sure the cash pays for care.
These historic bushes bind nature and tradition. They anchor communities in historical past, religion and well-being. They demand respect. Bihar’s banyan invitations each villager, metropolis customer and traveller to pause, hear and search therapeutic beneath its sweeping shade.
