Arayal

Planted in the memory of Jawahar Lal Nehru on the occassion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav

Overview & Habitat

Ficus religiosa, commonly known as the sacred fig, is of immense cultural, religious, and ecological significance across the Indian subcontinent.
Also known as the Bodhi tree, Peepul tree, Peepal tree, Pipala tree, or Ashvattha tree in India and Nepal.
It is deeply woven into millennia-old traditions and is venerated in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Behind its spiritual aura lies a complex organism with a rich botanical profile.

Ficus religiosa may seem unremarkable at first glance, with a grayish, irregular trunk and hanging aerial roots, resembling the banyan tree.
The leaves are heart-shaped with elongated tips, evoking a sense of serenity.
The bark is smooth and pale, gradually fissuring as the tree ages.
Reaching heights of up to 30 m, it can dominate its surroundings, casting a large shadow both literally and figuratively.
Ficus religiosa belongs to the Moraceae family, sharing its lineage with figs and mulberries.
It is a fast-growing species, often planted along roadsides or near temples for its religious significance and ability to provide shade.
The tree is tolerant of a wide variety of soils and can thrive on concrete walls with little moisture.

Ficus religiosa doesn’t produce typical flowers; instead, small, inconspicuous flowers bloom inside a syconium, a hollow, fleshy structure that becomes the fig.
This hidden reproductive system relies on a specialized relationship with tiny wasps that pollinate the fig.
The symbiosis between the wasp and the fig is a carefully orchestrated evolutionary strategy ensuring the survival of both species.

The fruit is a small, round fig, 1-1.5 cm in diameter, green when young and turning purple upon ripening.
Though not as palatable as the common fig (Ficus carica), these fruits play a crucial ecological role.
Birds and small mammals feed on the figs, spreading the seeds far and wide, ensuring the tree’s propagation.

Ficus religiosa sits comfortably within the kingdom Plantae and the order Rosales.
Interestingly, its species name, religiosa, speaks directly to the tree’s sacred role in various religious traditions.
This name wasn’t given arbitrarily. It reflects the centuries-old cultural veneration of the tree across multiple faiths.

Ficus religiosa plays an essential role in its ecosystem, providing shelter and food to various organisms.
Its figs attract birds and small mammals, aiding in seed dispersal.
It is a keystone species, crucial to maintaining the structure of the surrounding biological community.
Various parts of the tree — bark, leaves, and roots — are used in traditional medicine for treating skin ailments, digestive disorders, inflammation, respiratory issues, and managing diabetes.
The tree’s wood, though not durable, is used for making small items.
Dried leaves serve as fodder for livestock, and latex is sometimes used in the production of adhesives and other minor products.

The earliest known record of Ficus religiosa in human culture is found in the pottery of the Helmand culture, dating back to the third millennium BCE.
The tree is sacred in Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism.
Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating beneath a Ficus religiosa.
Hindu ascetics meditate beneath sacred fig trees, and Hindus perform pradakshina around the sacred fig tree as a mark of worship.

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