Akshayavat Prayagraj

The greatness of Akshayavat is described in the Puranas, its darshan is not considered complete without bathing in the Sangam.

Akshayavat is located in Akbar’s Fort on the banks of Yamuna in Prayagraj. There was a ban on its darshan since the Mughal period. Even during the British period and independent India, due to the fort being under the control of the army, it was rare for the pilgrims to see this Vat Vridha.

Akshayavat situated in Prayagraj has mythological and religious belief. It is said that just by seeing it a person attains eternal virtue. Due to this, at present the pilgrims coming here do not forget to worship this banyan tree located in Akbar’s fort. Due to Akbar’s fort being under the jurisdiction of the army, people were not able to see this Vat, but in the present times, the darshan of Akshaya Vat has become accessible to everyone.

Akshayavat is the witness of the evolution and destruction of the universe.

Rajendra Paliwal, General Secretary of Prayagwal Mahasabha, an organization of pilgrimage priests, says that Akshayvat is also mentioned in the Puranas. It has been a witness to the evolution and destruction of creation. It is clear from the name itself that it never gets destroyed. Mother Sita had blessed this tree that even when the earth will be submerged in water and everything will be destroyed, Akshayavat will remain green during the time of disaster. There is another belief that in child form, Shri Krishna sat on this banyan tree. Sri Hari, assuming the form of Baal Mukund, also sleeps on its leaves. In Padma Purana, Akshayavat has been called the umbrella of Tirtharaja Prayag.

Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang has also described in his travelogue

Shaligram Srivastava has mentioned in his book Prayag Pradeep that the Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang also came to Prayagraj. He has written about Akshayavat that a god temple is situated in the city. There is a huge banyan tree in the courtyard of the temple whose branches and leaves spread far and wide.According to mythological and historical evidence, many devotees used to climb and jump on the high branches of this Vat with the desire of salvation. Which was abolished by the Mughal rulers. He restricted the darshan of Akshayavat even for common pilgrims. Over time, there are also reports of damage to Akshayavat.

Akshayavat is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana.

Astrologer Ashutosh Varshneya says that the first mention of Akshayavat is found in Valmiki Ramayana. According to him, Bhardwaj Muni had told Shri Ram that both of you brothers should go to the confluence of Ganga-Yamuna and after seeing a good ghat to cross from there, go across the Yamuna where you will find a huge banyan tree. It would be surrounded by other trees on all sides. Many accomplished men reside under his shadow. After reaching there, Sita should seek blessings from that banyan tree. According to Ashutosh, Mother Sita had blessed Akshayvat that whoever worships and darshans Akshayvat after taking the Sangam bath, will get the fruits of the Sangam bath, otherwise the Sangam bath will become meaningless.

Government removed ban from Akshayavat, darshan became accessible

Akshayavat is located in Akbar’s Fort on the banks of Yamuna in Prayagraj. There was a ban on its darshan since the Mughal period. Even during the British period and independent India, due to the fort being under the control of the army, it was rare for the pilgrims to see this Vat Vriddha. People used to return after visiting a banyan tree situated in the Patalpuri temple at the back of the fort. But in the year 2018, the Central Government decided to make the darshan and worship of Akshayvat accessible to all, after which people started getting darshan of the Akshayvat situated in the fort. However, time has been fixed for darshan of Akshayavat.