In the village of Chinabhathkur in Pabna, a unique tradition endures—the nearly ninety-year-old marriage of a Banyan tree and a Pond. Planted over a century ago by a childless couple who loved them as their own, these trees were ceremoniously wed according to Hindu customs, becoming a symbol of enduring love and unity in the community.
 
Pabna June 12,(V7N)- Almost one hundred and twenty years ago, an infertile couple planted a banyan and a Pond tree in front of the village Durga temple. They loved the trees as if they were their own children. When the trees were thirty years old, the couple held a grand wedding for the banyan and Pond trees, complete with musical instruments, drums, and invitations to people from several neighboring villages, according to Hindu rituals.
 
Now, the banyan and Pond trees have been married for nearly ninety years. Throughout their long marital life, the banyan and Pond trees have intertwined and grown tall together, standing as witnesses to the passage of time. While the story of a tree wedding might seem unbelievable, it is true.
 
The banyan and Pond trees are located in front of the Durga temple in Haldarpara of Chinabhathkur village, Nimaichara Union, Chatmohar Upazila, Pabna. Spanning almost ten kathas of land, the story of this tree wedding has been passed down through generations in this area. Not just here, but in various regions of Bangladesh, there are instances of banyan and Pond tree weddings being performed according to Hindu customs.
 
Chinabhathkur village is located approximately 35 kilometers north of Chatmohar Upazila in Pabna. The village, situated on the eastern side of the Chatmohar-Mannanagar road, has a population of about three thousand people. Although most of the villagers are Muslim, there are about six to seven hundred followers of the Sanatan (Hindu) religion, most of whom are fishermen.
 
Shankar Haldar, a septuagenarian resident of Chinabhathkur village, said, "My uncle Satish Haldar and aunt Khuki Bala were childless. I heard from them that about one hundred and twenty years ago, they planted a banyan and a Pond tree in front of the village Durga temple. They loved the trees like their own children. When the trees were thirty years old, they held a grand wedding ceremony for the trees."
 
Local resident Paban Haldar (43) mentioned, "The story of the banyan and Pond tree wedding, which took place nearly ninety years ago, has been passed down through generations. Satish Haldar and Khuki Bala regarded the banyan and Pond trees as their own children and arranged their wedding. People from far and wide come to worship at the trees, seeking to fulfill their wishes. During the Poush Sankranti festival, the Haldar community performs Kumir Puja under the trees. The Durga Puja is also celebrated with great pomp at the Durga temple. Villagers spend their leisure time under the shade of the banyan and Pond trees."
 
Basudev Haldar (66) told Voice7 News, "When Satish Haldar and Khuki Bala held the wedding for the banyan and Pond trees, they invited people from twenty-two villages. Satish Haldar and Khuki Bala passed away in the 1980s. Previously, the tall heads of the trees could be seen from several kilometers away. Although the height of the trees has decreased with age, they still stand tall, intertwined with each other."
 
Local UP member Jahir Uddin told Voice7 News, "Since childhood, we have known this banyan tree as Khuki's banyan tree. I heard from my grandmother and other elders in the area that Satish Haldar and Khuki Bala regarded the banyan and Pond trees as their own children and married them. Since then, the trees have remained."
 
Nimaychara Union Parishad Chairman Nurjahan Begum Mukti told Voice7 News, "I have heard about the wedding of these banyan and Pond trees. Since childhood, I have seen these large trees. Though they have become somewhat smaller with age, many people still benefit from the shade of these trees during the hot season."
 
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