In a remarkable discovery, a team of scientists from the Botanical Survey of India, Prayagraj Centre, in collaboration with researchers from Babe-Bolyai University in Romania and a laboratory in Johannesburg, South Africa, has unveiled a magnificent banyan tree in the Narora region of Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh. The tree, estimated to be around 500 years old, now claims the title of the world's oldest known banyan tree, surpassing the previously revered 350-year-old banyan tree in the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden in Howrah.

During a floristic survey in the Upper Ganga Ransar, the team stumbled upon this majestic giant, which stands tall as the tenth-largest banyan tree in the world. Its upper circle extends over an astonishing 4,069 square meters, making it a true natural wonder. Radiocarbon dating of the tree has established its age between 450 and 500 years, providing the most accurate dating result ever recorded for this species.

Professor Arti Garg, a senior scientist from the Botanical Survey of India, revealed an intriguing fact about this ancient marvel. Unlike its counterparts, the Narora banyan tree stands on only four roots, defying conventional expectations. 

Banyan trees hold immense significance in Indian mythology and religion, symbolizing eternal life and fertility. Often referred to as 'Kalpavriksha,' or wish-fulfilling trees, they are commonly planted around homes and temples. The world's largest F. benghalensis, the Thimmamma Marrimanu in Andhra Pradesh, retains its title with an impressive coverage of 19,107 square meters.

As we uncover these living relics of the past, we continue to marvel at the resilience and grandeur of nature, reminding us of our deep connection to the world around us. The discovery of the Narora banyan tree in Uttar Pradesh offers a captivating glimpse into the rich tapestry of India's botanical heritage, leaving us in awe of the secrets of Nature still waiting to be unraveled.