The `Peepul Tree` is considered as the only unmatched tree of the world as far as antiqueness and veneration are concerned. `Ficus Religiosa` is the scientific name of this tree. The tree belongs to the family of `Moraceae`. The `Peepul Tree` tree is called as `Pipal` in Hindi. In Bengali, it is known as `Asvattha`. It`s `Drasi Avasi` in Tamil; `Avasai` or `Arasu` in Malayalam; `Ravi` or `Ragi Rai` in Telugu and `Bo` in Sinhalese. The English people named it as `Peepul`, `Bo Tree` or the `Sacred Ficus`.

The `Peepul Tree` is claimed to have the longest life. A part of one `Peepul Tree` in Sri Lanka said to have been planted in the year 288 B.C. and it is still living and flourishing. People believe that the Prince `Siddhartha` sat in meditation under a `Peepul` tree and after finding enlightenment there, he became popular as the `Buddha`. For this very reason, the tree is sacred to Buddhists from then on. The Hindus also relate the tree with their three prominent gods `Brahma`, `Vishnu` and `Shiva`. Amongst them, Vishnu is being reputed to have been born under a Peepul.

The `Peepul Tree` bears some long-stalked and waving leaves. The leaves are shaped like Hearts of human being and terminate in a long, narrowing point. They are near about 15 to 17.5 cm in length. The pendent leaves on their long trails flutter and dance even in the slightest breeze and the gentle rhythm of their tails against neighboring leaves reproduce the rhythm of rain. When the new leaves that are dark-red in colour and shining scatter about the branches in the month of April, the sight looks extraordinarily delightful.

The smooth and pale-grey bark of the `Peepul Tree` frequently unwraps in pieces and the vertical trunk becomes corrugated and irregular as the tree ages. The trunk is round in shape in the young trees. The tree`s strong and structured trunk and the broadly spreading branches make it indeed a gorgeous sight. The fruit of the tree named as Figs, normally grow in pairs. They conceal the flowers of the tree and they are purple-blade when they acquire maturity. This time the birds like them very much. The birds carry the seeds and after being lodged in a tree, the seeds develop and grow. At first, the host tree supports the impostor, but in the end it surrenders to the pressure of the pervasive root. They do not take any food from the host tree. They only rely upon air and rain until their roots reach the ground.

The `Peepul Tree` has very few medicinal or economic uses as it is being worshipped universally. The juice that is obtained from the bark is sometimes used into making a mouthwash that is capable of alleviating toothache and also strengthens the gums. People use the juice to make birdlime as well. The wood of this tree is used to make packing cases. The `Peepul Tree` is very much common from India to South East Asia and everywhere in most of the tropical countries. There are several hundred species of Ficus amongst which about eighty can be found in India.