Which Botanical Species Are Called Kalpavriksha?

There is no single botanical species that is the Kalpavriksha. The title is an honorific given to several different trees across India, based on their cultural, economic, or mythological importance.

The most commonly identified trees are:

• Banyan (*Ficus benghalensis*): Widely revered in Hinduism. Its vast canopy and aerial roots, which grow into new trunks, symbolize eternity and spiritual knowledge.
• Peepal (*Ficus religiosa*): Sacred in both Hinduism and Buddhism (as the Bodhi Tree, under which Buddha attained enlightenment). It is worshipped as a symbol of Vishnu.
• Coconut Palm (*Cocos nucifera*): Often called the "tree of life" or Kalpavriksha in coastal regions (like Kerala) because every single part of it is useful—from its water and fruit for food, to its leaves for thatch, and its coir for rope.
• Baobab (*Adansonia digitata*): An introduced species from Africa, its immense lifespan (thousands of years) and massive, unusual trunk have led to it being revered as the Kalpavriksha in certain locations (e.g., Parijaat tree in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh; and in parts of Gujarat).
• Mahua (*Madhuca longifolia*): Central to many tribal cultures in central India, it is considered a Kalpavriksha because its flowers, fruits, and seeds provide food, oil, and a culturally significant liquor, sustaining the community.
• Parijat (*Nyctanthes arbor-tristis*): The night-flowering jasmine is also linked to the Samudra Manthana myth and is sometimes considered a heavenly tree.
• Shami (*Prosopis cineraria*): In desert regions like Rajasthan, this hardy, resilient tree that provides fodder and food in harsh conditions is revered as the Kalpavriksha.