Oldest Tree in India

The Oldest tree in India is the Baobab tree of Jhusi, Allahabad, and the Prijaat tree at Kintoor, Uttar Pradesh. Trees generally have a long life span ranging from a hundred to more than a few thousand years. India is home to some of the oldest trees in the world. These ancient trees are not only charming but also historically relevant. Especially in a culture where trees are revered like Gods, the oldest tree in India holds much significance both religiously and culturally.

Other old trees in India are Banyan trees, which have a very long lifespan compared to other trees. Know more about the oldest tree in India here and the longest-living Banyan trees in the country here.

Oldest Tree in India

The Baobab tree of Jhusi, Allahabad, and the Parijaat tree at Kintoor, UP, are two of the oldest trees in India. A radiocarbon investigation of the two trees was conducted recently. The radiocarbon date of Baobab of Jhusi was found to be 779+ 41 BP and that of Kintoor to be 793+ 37 BP. This indicates that both these trees are over 800 years of age.

• Baobab Tree of Jhusi - The iconic Baobab tree of Jhusi is also known by the name of 'Baba Shaik Ped' or 'Hathi ka Pawn'. It is believed to have been planted by Shaik Taqi, a Sufi saint born in Jhusi in 1320. It is believed that Shaik Taqi had placed his 'datun' (twig used as a toothbrush) upside down on the ground, which later grew into this tree. The tomb of Shaik Taqi is located inside the tree.
• Parijaat Tree of Kintoor - The Parijaat of Kintoor also has many interesting legends surrounding it. As per a popular legend, the tree was brought from heaven by Arjun. Others believe that Lord Krishna brought this tree for his beloved queen Rukmini.

Oldest Tree in India - Top 5 Longest Living Trees

Besides the above-mentioned oldest tree in India, there are several other fascinating old trees in the country, the details of which are given below.

The Great Banyan Tree

Found in Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden in Howrah, near Kolkata, the Great Banyan Tree is said to be over 250 years old. This gigantic tree covers about 18,918 square meters of land (4.67 acres).

With over 3700 aerial roots, the tree gives the appearance of a dense forest rather than a single tree. Every year thousands of tourists visit the garden to witness its magnificence, and owing to its size, the tree is hard to miss.

The Thimmamma Marrimanu

The Thimmamma Marrimanu, popularly known as the Old Banyan Tree, is another large Banyan Tree located in Anantpur, about 25kms from Kadiri, Andhra Pradesh. It also finds its mention in the Guinness Book of World Records as having "the greatest perimeter length for a tree". Its canopy extends over an area of 4.721 acres.

If local myths are to be believed, the tree is named after Thimmamma, a woman who committed the ritual of Sati in the 1400s after the death of her husband. The tree is believed to have grown from one of the poles used in the funeral pyre and is one of the oldest tree in India.

The tree also houses a small temple beneath it. The area's residents believe that a childless couple can beget a child by offering their prayers to the temple. A large Jatra is conducted here on the day of Shivratri, where people come in thousands to worship the tree.

The Kabirvad Banyan Tree

Yet another Banyan Tree that has outlived our great ancestors is the Kabirvad Banyan Tree, found on a small river island near Bharuch in Gujarat. The tree and the temple beneath it is dedicated to the 15th-century mystic poet Kabir. The tree finds its mention in the records of Alexander the Great's expedition to the area. It is among the most well-known oldest trees in India.

Pillalamarri Banyan tree

The Pillamarri Banyan tree is one of the oldest trees in India. It is located in Mahbubnagar, Telangana and is believed to be around 800 years old. Its branches spread far across 4 acres of land and can be seen from far across the Pillalamarri walking trail.

Adyar Banyan Tree

Located on the campus of the Theosophical Society at Adyar in Chennai, Adyar Banyan Tree is another majestic banyan tree believed to be over 450 years old, making it one of the oldest tree in India. It is undoubtedly one of the oldest trees in India. Many prominent philosophers, including J Krishnamurthi, had given discourses to thousands of pupils under the shade of this very tree.

FAQs on Oldest Tree in India

Q1. Which is the oldest tree in India?

There is more than one oldest tree in India. The Parijaat tree of Kintoor, Uttar Pradesh, and the Baobab tree of Jhusi, Allahabad are two of the oldest trees in India. Both trees were found to be over 800 years old and are revered as sacred trees.

Q2. What is the age of the oldest tree in India?

The oldest tree in India is the Parijaat tree of Kintoor, Uttar Pradesh, and the Baobab tree of Jhusi, Allahabad. The estimated age of the Parijaat of Kintoor is found to be 793 + 40 years, while that of Jhusi is found to be 779 + 40 years.

Q3. Where is the oldest tree in India located?

The oldest tree in India is located in Kintoor, Uttar Pradesh. This is the Parijaat tree, which is estimated to be 793 + 40 years old. Another oldest tree in India is the Baobab tree, which is located in Jhusi, Allahabad. This tree is around 779 + 40 years old.

Q4. Which is the oldest tree in the world?

The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus Longaeva) is considered the oldest tree in the world. The tree is over 5,000 years of age. Comparatively, the oldest tree in India, which is the Parijaat tree in Kintoor, Allahabad, has only lived for around 800 years.

Q5. Where is the oldest Banyan tree located in India?

The oldest Banyan tree is located in the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden, Kolkata. This Banyan tree is over 250 years old. It covers 14,500 square meters of land and is the widest tree in the world.