At midnight on August 15, 1947, as India stepped into freedom, a young banyan tree was planted at Vadavannur Vaidyasala in Kerala’s Palakkad district. Seventy-nine years later, the country and the tree are still sharing the same birthday.

On Saturday, the people of Vaidyasala gathered to mark both occasions: India’s 80th Independence Day and the 80th birthday of the banyan tree that has grown with the nation.

The tree was planted by Vadakkeppattu Narayanan Nair, a Sanskrit scholar and Ayurveda physician from Vadavannur. He planted it near the Vadavannur post office at the stroke of midnight, when India became independent.

Today, the tree stands as a living reminder of that moment.

“It is a rare privilege to celebrate India’s freedom alongside this tree,” said P. Gopinatha Menon, president of the Vaidyasala Arayal Samrakshana Samiti. “For us, August 15 marks two beginnings: India’s freedom and the life of this tree.”

For over a decade, the residents of Vaidyasala have gathered on Independence Day to honour the tree. What began as the act of one man has become part of the community’s annual tradition.

The committee has also worked to protect the tree. At its request, the Vadavannur grama panchayat built a protective foundation around it. Narayanan Nair’s son, veteran lawyer Madhusoodhanan Nair later paved the foundation with tiles.

The tree now has a place where people can sit beneath its branches, just as it has watched generations grow around it.

Vadavannur panchayat president Vincy C. hoisted the national flag on the day. Madhusoodanan Nair and Mr. Menon jointly lit the ceremonial lamp. Panchayat vice-president P.A. Rajeev and councillor Radhika A. spoke at the gathering.

The programme concluded with the national anthem, followed by the sharing of sweets.

Published - August 15, 2026 08:18 pm IST