Akshayavat Prayagraj - A Hindu Temple in Allahabad, India

Akshayavat is a Hindu temple located inside Akbar Fort, Allahabad. According to the Hindu religion, It is a sacred fig tree. It is also known as the name of a holy lake narrated in the Puranas. According to the Padma Purana, Akshayavat is worshipped as the Umbrella spread over the holy city of Prayagraj. It is considered the holy banyan tree near the Patalpuri Temple, located at the Prayagraj Fort in Prayagraj City. It is situated on the bank of the two rivers, Yamuna and Sangam. People considered it the undying tree and thought it had been living from the immoral.
If we delve into the schlock, a Sanskrit verse, we can decipher its profound meaning and understand its significance in the context of Akshayavat.

Shyaamo vatoshyaamagunam vrnoti, svacchaayayaa shyaamlaya janaanaam Shyaamah shramam krnati yatra drishtaha sa tirtharaajo jayati prayaagaha. Now, we can translate the schlock into English for better understanding. All glory to Prayag, the king of Tirthas. In this holy place, Shyam Vata benedicts humans with sattva guna through its cool shade, and all sins are destroyed after having the darshan of Lord Madhava in this place.

Many sacred trees are all over the Bharat Varsha, which the people of Sanatana Dharma worship. Banyan trees are most prominent among them and are believed to be a gift from God.

Attraction

It was filled with exciting myths and history and more events connected to the sacred tree. Kumbh Mela is one of Akshayavat’s most attractive occasions. It is a Hindu pilgrimage occasion held every twelve years at the Triveni Sangam. Many people worldwide seek blessings and take baths in the holy rivers during this time.
Moreover, the Akshayavat, or the eternal banyan tree, can attract millions of people yearly. The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) now overlooks the tree. There is no permission to cut, damage, or remove the tree. By renewing itself daily, the Akshayavat tree symbolizes eternal life. It also means the continuity of life. The holy rivers are also attractions in Akshayavat. It is believed that Triveni Sangam has the power to free its devotees from the circle of death and birth ( moksha).

History

In 1583 CE, Akbar built a fort at Prayagraj, Allahabad, known as Prayagraj fort or Akbar fort or Allahabad fort. It is a mysterious myth that the Mughals made several attempts to destroy the tree, but they failed every time in the course of the foundation work of the fort. Even King Jahangir made an order to prevent people from coming here, but it didn’t work. The banyan tree is only 300 years old and stands on the ground full of sacredness. To destroy the tree, the Mughals chopped and burnt it 23 times, but magically, it would grow again and attain the same very soon. The original Akshayavat tree flows below the ground in the Patalpuri temple. It stands in a deep niche above an underground shaft that leads to the Triveni Sangam.

According to the Valmiki Ramayana, Lord Ramchandra and Sita Devi saw this vata tree in Prayagraj. When Lord Rama went to the Bhadwaja Muni’s Ashram, one of the priests told him that on his journey to Chitrakoot, the Akshayavat Tree in Prayagraj would lead him to the right path.

Inside/Outside Views

The Akshayavat is located on the bank of the holy rivers Yamuna and Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
You can only can’t enter the place where the Akshayavat tree stands because the authority reserves it. It is not accessible to all ordinary visitors. However, one can get Akshayavat’s feelings from the surrounding area. The Akshayavat is memorable for its immortality. It is a giant banyan tree that renews itself every day. Countless pilgrims have visited it over centuries. It is a myth that the tree’s roots are prolonged deep into the earth and have firmness. The tree gives cool shade to pilgrims who want blessings, creating a vast canopy by extending branches.

How to Reach

By Air: Bamrauli Airport is 12 kilometers from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Kanpur, Varanasi, and Lucknow airports are also very close to Bamrauli Airport. Taxis and other motor vehicles are always available from the airport to any place in Allahabad. The airport is well-connected to Delhi and other areas of India. From the airport, you can easily reach your desired place by using any vehicle.

By Road: You can also go to Allahabad by Road. Civil Lines Bus Stand is the nearest bus stand to the Akshayavat. It is 6 kilometers away from the Akshayavat. Besides, there is also an excellent bus service from significant Indian cities such as Meerut, Delhi, and Jhansi to Allahabad, provided by The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC). You can take a cab or an auto-rickshaw from the bus stand to reach the Akshayavat. National and state highways connect Prayagraj to the other parts of the country.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Akshayavat is Prayagraj Junction. It is well-connected to every city of Allahabad and other small cities in Uttar Pradesh. Prayagraj Junction is the headquarters of the North Central Railway. You can get any cab or other vehicle easily from here to reach the Akshayavat.

Tips for Travellers

At first, you should learn about local culture and customs as well as weather .
Don’t make your luggages too heavy. Carry light weight essential products and water bottles.
Don’t forget to carry chargers and adapters.
Try to wear clothes according to the weather.
For safety, collect local emergency numbers and try to communicate with locals in a friendly manners.
The best time to visit the Akshayavat is October to March.