Kalpavrikasha

There are some trees that have attained more than a special place in Indian especially Hindu culture, tradition and mythology.

A Kalpavriksha (mulberry tree) in Uttarakhand's Joshimath has a religious, mythological, historical significance. The town Joshimath is said to have gotten its name from the word Jyotimath, which itself starts from the conviction that Adiguru Sankaracharya got the Jyoti or illumination while ruminating in this place around the eighth century.

 The centuries-old Kalpvriksha plant located in Jyotirmath is considered to be the oldest plant in the country. It is believed that many centuries ago, Adi Shankaracharya had performed rigorous penance under this holy tree and had the darshan of the divine Gyan Jyoti. After receiving this Jyoti Gyan, he first established Jyotishpeeth here and later the Peeth of three other Shankaracharyas.

The Kalpvriksha present in Joshimath is mainly a Parijan plant which has been present here for more than two and a half thousand years. It is believed about this holy plant that sitting under it and seeing it transmits positive energy within the person.

The mulberry tree specifically is a stunning sight. Its age is assessed to be anyplace between 1500 to 2500 years and its appearance bolsters this gauge. The size of the tree is a surprising 21 meters and it is nearly as large as a cabin.

This mulberry tree is prominently known as the Kalpavriksha, the amazing tree of life which in Hindu folklore rose amid the beating of the sea of milk(Samudra Manthan) by the Gods and demons.