National Tree of India
The Banyan (Bargad) is the National tree of India - called the Indian fig tree( Ficus bengalensis) grow over a large area.banyan is a very huge structure, long and deep roots and branches symbolize the country's unity.This huge tree towers over its neighbors and has the widest reaching roots of all known trees, easily covering several acres. It sends off new shoots from its roots, so that one tree is really a tangle of branches, roots, and trunks. The banyan tree regenerates and lives for an incredible length of time, thus it is thought of as the immortal tree. One can find banyan trees in throughout the nation. 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.According to the Indian mythology, it is considered immortal. Many of the Indian villages are centered around large shady banyan trees that provide a good place for public meetings and meetings of the village council. Some of the Hindu rituals make it even more prominent. Besides the humans, it provides shelter to many other creatures. It is also known to need little maintenance and is virtually a boon to Indians.
In the Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is sometimes depicted sitting in silence, under the banyan tree, with the saints sitting at His feet. With its seemingly unending expansion, the banyan tree symbolizes eternal life. In Hindu culture, the tree is often called 'kalpavriksha', a Sanskrit word, which means 'a divine tree that fulfills wishes'. Married Hindu women worship the banyan tree to lead a long and happy married life.
The size of the banyan tree, its alleged immortality and its religious significance in India made in an obvious choice to be chosen as the National Tree of India.With high medicinal value, banyan is often used as a herb to treat and cure many diseases.
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