Imagine a tree so ancient, so sacred, that it is believed to survive even the Pralaya, the dissolution of the universe. Imagine a tree that holds the power to make offerings truly everlasting. This is the Akshayavat (अक्षयवट), the Immortal Banyan, primarily revered in two of Bharat’s most holy sites: Gaya and Prayagraj.
Many who come to Gaya, their hearts heavy with the duty towards their Pitrus (ancestors), focus solely on the Phalgu river and the Vishnupad temple. But the wise priests, the Gayawal Pandas, will always guide them to the Akshayavat, for without its blessing, the pilgrimage remains incomplete. Why? The answer lies woven in the fabric of Dharma, truth, and a promise made in the Treta Yuga.
What Does ‘Akshayavat’ Mean? Decoding the Name
The name itself holds the key to its profound nature:
- Akshaya (अक्षय): This Sanskrit word means ‘imperishable,’ ‘indestructible,’ ‘undecaying,’ or ‘eternal.’ It signifies that which does not diminish or cease to exist.
- Vat (वट): This simply means the Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis).
Therefore, Akshayavat literally translates to the “Imperishable Banyan Tree.” This name reflects the core belief associated with it – its eternal existence and the eternal merit (Punya) bestowed upon those who perform righteous deeds under its watch.
The Legend of Immortality: Surviving the Cosmic Flood (Pralaya)
While multiple Akshayavats are mentioned in our traditions, the concept of their immortality is often linked to the cosmic cycle of creation and dissolution. The Puranas describe periods of Pralaya when the entire universe is submerged under cosmic waters.
One enduring tale, often associated with the Akshayavat at Prayagraj but reflecting the inherent quality of all trees bearing this name, involves the ancient sage Markandeya. Granted an immensely long life, Rishi Markandeya wished to witness the phenomenon of Pralaya and the divine power of Lord Narayana (Vishnu).
As the story goes, during the great deluge when all worlds were submerged, Markandeya Rishi floated helplessly in the infinite ocean. Suddenly, he beheld a wondrous sight – a tiny infant, radiating divine light, lying on a single leaf of a giant Banyan tree that miraculously stood above the waters. The infant was none other than Lord Vishnu in his child form (Bala Mukunda), demonstrating that even amidst universal dissolution, He remains, and with Him, certain eternal principles and entities, symbolized by the Akshayavat. The tree represented the enduring nature of Dharma and the refuge provided by the Divine even when all else perishes.
This Puranic imagery cements the idea of the Akshayavat as a symbol of permanence, a cosmic anchor point that withstands the tides of time and destruction.
The Indispensable Role in Gaya Shraddha: More Than Just a Tree
In the context of Gaya, the Akshayavat’s significance transcends even the symbolism of immortality. It plays a direct, active, and utterly essential role in the successful completion of the Shraddha ceremonies performed for ancestors.
Why is Worship of Akshayavat Compulsory in Gaya?
As we discussed the Phalgu River being cursed by Mata Sita for bearing false witness, the Akshayavat received a unique blessing for upholding the truth. This event, narrated in the Ramayana and local traditions (Sthal Puranas), is the cornerstone of its importance in Gaya.
Revisiting Mata Sita’s Pind Daan: The Tree That Spoke Truth
Let us recall that moment from the Treta Yuga:
Lord Rama, Mata Sita, and Lakshmana were in Gaya to offer Pind Daan for Maharaja Dasharatha. Rama and Lakshmana went to gather supplies, leaving Sita by the Phalgu as the auspicious time (muhurta) approached.
Seeing the time run out, Sita performed the rites herself using sand Pindas, asking the Phalgu River, a Brahmin, a Cow, the Tulsi plant, and the Akshayavat tree to be her witnesses (Sakshi).
When Rama returned and questioned if the rite was performed, the Phalgu, Brahmin, Cow, and Tulsi, for various reasons, failed to corroborate Sita’s truthful account. They either lied or remained silent.
Deeply saddened and angered by their failure, Mata Sita cursed them. But when she turned to the Banyan tree, the Akshayavat stood tall and spoke the truth. It faithfully confirmed to Lord Rama that Mata Sita had indeed performed the Pind Daan with full devotion and at the correct time.
Mata Sita’s Blessing: The Source of Akshayavat’s Power in Shraddha
Pleased with the tree’s unwavering honesty and integrity, Mata Sita bestowed upon it a profound blessing. She declared:
- “You shall be truly Akshaya – immortal and ever-flourishing.” (Reinforcing its inherent nature with divine decree).
- “Pilgrims who come to Gaya to perform Shraddha for their ancestors must worship you.”
- “Only after making offerings to you will their Shraddha rituals be considered complete and fully accepted.”
- “The merit (Punya) gained from the rites performed here will become Akshaya (imperishable) for both the ancestors and the performer through your blessing.”
This blessing elevated the Akshayavat from merely a witness to an essential component of the Gaya Shraddha ritual itself. It became the divine seal of completion, the guarantor that the offerings made would reach the ancestors and provide lasting benefit.
The Concept of Sakshi (Witness) in Hindu Rituals
In Sanatana Dharma, the concept of Sakshi is crucial. Important vows, promises, and rituals often require witnesses – be they deities (like Agni, the fire god, during weddings), celestial bodies, elements of nature, or venerable beings. A witness validates the act, lending it sanctity and ensuring its efficacy.
In Sita’s impromptu Pind Daan, the chosen witnesses were representatives of the natural and priestly world present there. The Akshayavat fulfilled its role as a truthful Sakshi, and its reward was to become a permanent, indispensable witness-figure for all future Shraddha performed at Gaya. Worshipping the Akshayavat is, in essence, presenting the completed ritual to this divinely appointed, truthful witness for its final validation.
The Sequence of Rituals: Akshayavat Puja as the Culmination
The traditional process for performing Pind Daan in Gaya involves several steps at various sacred locations (vedis). Typically, the rites begin near the Phalgu river, proceed to the Vishnupad Temple, and involve offerings at other designated spots.
However, the final act that concludes the entire process is the worship (puja) performed at the Akshayavat. Pilgrims approach the tree, often guided by their Gayawal Panda. They offer water, flowers, grains, prayers, and circumambulate the ancient trunk. They pray for the acceptance of all the rituals performed across Gaya Kshetra. It is only after this worship that the pilgrims feel their duty is truly fulfilled, and the blessings secured for their ancestors’ liberation (mukti) and their own well-being.
Akshayavat Beyond Gaya: Other Sacred Banyans
While the Gaya Akshayavat holds unique importance for Shraddha due to Sita’s blessing, the name and reverence extend to other sites:
Akshayavat at Prayagraj (Allahabad)
Perhaps the most famous Akshayavat resides within the Allahabad Fort in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), at the holy confluence (Triveni Sangam) of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.
- Historical Significance: This tree has been revered for millennia, mentioned even by the Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) in the 7th century CE.
- Markandeya Connection: It is often this tree that is associated with the Pralaya story of Markandeya Rishi seeing Lord Vishnu on a banyan leaf.
- Ritual Importance: Pilgrims visiting Prayagraj for Kumbh Mela or other holy occasions seek darshan (sight) of this Akshayavat, believing it grants immense Punya. Access was restricted for a long time due to its location within a military fort, but it has become more accessible recently. Offerings and prayers here are also believed to yield imperishable merit.
Akshayavat at Kurukshetra?
Some traditions also speak of an ancient Banyan tree near Jyotisar in Kurukshetra, Haryana, the place where Lord Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. While perhaps not as widely known as the Akshayavat of Gaya or Prayagraj, it shares the aura of antiquity and sanctity associated with these powerful sites of Dharma.
Key Distinction: While other Akshayavats are deeply sacred and grant blessings, the Akshayavat in Gaya holds the specific, divinely ordained role from Mata Sita to be the indispensable concluding element for the efficacy of Pind Daan rituals performed in Gaya.
Experiencing the Akshayavat of Gaya: A Pilgrim’s Guide
As a pilgrim, always remember Akshayavat’s significance:
- Timing: Visit the Akshayavat after completing the main Pind Daan offerings at the Phalgu and Vishnupad temple. It is the final step.
- Location: It is located within the courtyard of the Vishnupad Temple complex, making it easily accessible after darshan of the Lord’s footprint.
- The Ritual: Your assigned Gayawal priest will guide you. Typically involves:
- Offering water brought from the Phalgu or Ganga.
- Offering flowers, Bel leaves, uncooked rice grains (akshat), and sometimes sweets or thread.
- Chanting specific mantras invoking the tree’s blessings and requesting acceptance of the Shraddha.
- Praying for the peace and liberation of ancestors.
- Circumambulation (Pradakshina) around the base of the tree.
- Receiving blessings (prasad) from the priest.
- The Feeling: Approach the Akshayavat with humility and reverence. Feel the energy of millennia contained within its ancient form. Sense the presence of countless ancestors whose rites were completed here. It is a place of profound peace, quiet strength, and enduring hope. Recognize it not just as wood and leaves, but as a living symbol of truth, eternity, and divine grace.
Conclusion: Role of Akshayavat in Gaya Shradh – A Pillar of Eternal Dharma and Ancestral Liberation
The Akshayavat of Gaya is far more than just an old tree. It is a cosmic witness, blessed by Mata Sita herself for its unwavering commitment to truth. It stands as a powerful symbol:
- Of Immortality: Defying time and dissolution.
- Of Truthfulness (Satya): Rewarded for upholding Dharma.
- Of Assurance: Guaranteeing the completion and efficacy of Shraddha rites.
- Of Connection: Linking the living to their ancestors through eternal blessings.
- Of Hope: Offering liberation (Mukti) to the Pitrus and imperishable merit (Akshaya Punya) to the performer.
May you always remember the value of truth, embodied by this sacred tree, and may the blessings of the Akshayavat touch the lives of all who seek peace for their ancestors.
Hari Om Tat Sat.