Over the course of the Big Tree Quest, Vata Foundation has documented 2 significant trees in Haryana. These trees have weathered centuries and now extend shade and calm to countless visitors.
Age: ~5,000 years
Type: Ficus Benghalensis (Banyan)
Highlight: Marked as the ‘Gitopadesha Sthala,’ this banyan tree is a sacred witness to the birth of the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings.
The banyan tree at Jyotisar in Kurukshetra holds a special place in Hindu spirituality. Thought to be the tree under which Krishna instructed Arjuna on dharma and duty, it stands as a reminder of selfless action and moral clarity. This heritage tree acts as a natural sanctuary for contemplation and cultural continuity, holding a special place in the spiritual heart of Haryana.
Age: ~2,000 years
Type: Ficus Religiosa (Peepal)
Highlight: A rare tree that stands at the heart of local legend, deeply connected to the story of the warrior Babreek from the Mahabharata.
The Bir Barban Peepal tree is a celebrated symbol in Bir Hasir, tied closely to the Mahabharata legend of warrior Babreek. Visitors are drawn to its unique leaves and the stories they tell, reflecting centuries of reverence and local belief. Its leaves are known for showing peculiar holes, believed to be the mark of Babreek’s arrows. The tree stands as a proud reminder of the region’s historical depth and spiritual richness.