Banyan tree, 2014, pen
The banyan tree is considered sacred and is called "Vat Vriksha" in Sanskrit, in Telugu known as: 'మర్రి వృక్షము ' ; Marri Vrikshamu and inTamil known as: 'ஆல மரம்' ; Ala Maram.
The god Shiva as Dakshinamurthy is nearly always depicted sitting in silence under the banyan with rishis at his feet.
It is thought of as perfectly symbolizing eternal life due to its seemingly unending, expansion. (wikipedia)
