Akshayavat Prayagraj

Akshayavat Prayagraj
Vital Information for Visitors
Address :

Akshayavat, Patalpuri Temple, Allahabad Fort, Prayagraj, U.P

Open & Close:

Open on all days

Timings:

07:00 AM – 08:00 PM

Entry Fees:

Nil

Duration:

30 min -1 Hour

Significance :

Darshan of Akshayavat, Patalpuri Temple and Saraswati Kup.

Lord Brahma had carried out a huge yajna in Prayagraj to save the Earth. In this yajna, he himself became a priest, Lord Vishnu as a host (Yajaman) and Lord Shiva as the presiding deity of the sacrifice. In the last leg of the yajna, the Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiv) - created a 'tree' to lighten the burden of sins on the earth with its strength. It was a banyan tree known today as Akshayavat. It still exists today within the ramparts of Allahabad Fort. It is believed that the invisible River Saraswati flows under the Akshayavat, immortal bayan tree. Lord Rama and Sita lived for three nights under this vat tree while going on ‘vanvaas’. In Ramayana, Akshayvat is mentioned as Neelvat (नील वट) or Shyamvat (श्यामवट). The devotees and pilgrims, after taking holy dip in Triveni Sangam, come to see and worship Akshayavat, believing that it will result in fulfillment of their wishes. The Jains and Buddhists also consider it sacred. It is said that Buddha sowed a seed of the Akshayavat of Prayagraj near Mount Kailash. The Jain people believe that Tirthankara Rishabhdev did penance under the Akshayavat.

Akshayvat is considered immortal. The Mughal rulers tried hard to end the existence of the Akshayavat. To hurt the religious belief and sentiment of Hindus, Akshayavat was cut and burnt 23 times but the Muslims failed to destroy it. After repeated cutting and burning, the tree used to return to its old form again. This led to the decision to close the Akshayavat for the Hindu pilgrims by building a huge enclosure. No one was allowed to get into it. Since then Akshayvat was imprisoned. Aurangzeb made a lot of efforts to destroy this tree. It was dug, burnt and even acid was poured into its roots. But the blessed Akshayvat stands still flourishing and blooming. Even today the signs of the destructive measures of intolerant Mughal Aurangzeb like burning can be spotted here. Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang, impressed by its weirdness, has mentioned it in his memoir.

The ancient tree of Akshayavat is imprisoned in Allahabad Fort on the banks of Yamuna. Akbar laid the foundation of the fort in 1574 AD. It took 42 years to build the fort. After the foundation was laid, the process of worship of Akshayavat was stopped. The fort was constructed by stopping the movement of devotees there. This ban on Hindu devotees continued throughout the Mughal rule. Later, the British made the fort their camp to manufacture weapons. The colonial rulers not only continued the ban on visit to Akshayvat but also prohibited to pass in River Yamuna in a boat from near the fort. Post independence, the army got stationed in the fort and the Akshayvat remained inaccessible to the pilgrims. In 2019, during Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Akshayavat had been opened for the sight of common devotees.

Prayagraj Tour Packages

Varanasi Prayagraj Tour

Varanasi Prayagraj Tour

2 Nights / 3 Days
Destination : Varanasi - Prayagraj

Varanasi Prayagraj Chitrakoot Tour

Varanasi Prayagraj Chitrakoot Tour

4 Nights / 5 Days
Destination : Varanasi - Prayagraj - Chitrakoot

Varanasi Ayodhya Prayagraj Tour

Varanasi Ayodhya Prayagraj Tour

4 Nights / 5 Days
Destination : Varanasi - Ayodhya - Prayagraj

Varanasi Ayodhya Prayagraj Chitrakoot Tour

Varanasi Ayodhya Prayagraj Chitrakoot Tour

6 Nights / 7 Days
Destination : Varanasi - Ayodhya - Prayagraj - Chitrakoot

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