What is Siddhavat and why is it sacred for ancestral rites in Ujjain?

Siddhavat is an ancient immortal banyan tree (vat vriksha) on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain. It is one of three sacred immortal trees in the Hindu tradition — the other two being Akshayavat at Prayagraj and Vanshivat at Vrindavan.

According to the Skanda Purana and local tradition, Lord Rama performed Pitra Tarpan (ancestral water offerings) for his father King Dashrath under the Siddhavat tree. Since that event, Siddhavat has been considered one of the holiest sites in India for Shradh, Pind Daan, and Asthi Visarjan. The merit of performing ancestral rites at Siddhavat is said to be equivalent to performing them at the Akshayavat in Prayagraj.

The tree stands within a temple complex on the Shipra banks, with dedicated platforms for performing the Asthi Visarjan ceremony. Local Teerth Purohits maintain the tradition of conducting ancestral rites here throughout the year, with particular activity during Pitrupaksha and Simhastha years.