Our Banyan tree. It is also our mini club.

A 130 years old  banyan tree located near Malitari of purbo fakirpara village under Hatibandha upazilla in Lalmonirhat district is believed to be one of the largest living tree at Hatibandha upazilla.

I have lot of memories and life lessons centring this principal place. It is near my house. In my boyhood, many times of the day we played here. Still now the children play around this tree. In hot season, adults take rest under this banyan tree. It is also a meeting place for the villagers, when they gather here they exchange views and discuss many social issues.  A primary school also has been established here as a result of gathering. So this place under the banyan tree is an important spot for the villagers. This place is one kind of mini club for social activities in the village.

A person of hindu community named Madhu Barman let this banyan tree marry with a pakur tree to satisfy the god. According to Hindu scriptures, Banyan and pakur trees are considered as Lord Narayan and goddess Laxmi. Madhu Barman was a unmarried person. He also wanted to immortalize himself to the next generations. For that reason he planted that banyan and pakur trees. So that he might be reflected and remembered for this banyan tree in the society.

Madhu Barman is no more today, He died 100 years ago. But He will be in our heart as long as those two trees will be with us.

Written by

Shahjahan Hossain (Lipu)