The Kovidara tree has been trending on Google for the past few hours, and the interest shows no signs of dying down. But what exactly is the Kovidara tree, and why has it suddenly captured everyone’s attention? The surge in searches came hot on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ayodhya. A few minutes ago, he, along with RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, hoisted the “Dharma Dhwaj” – the sacred flag – atop the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya following prayers at the Ram Darbaar.
All about Kovidara tree
The right-angled triangular Dharma Dhwaj, measuring 22 feet in length and 11 feet in width, features three sacred symbols: Om, the Sun, and the Kovidara tree. Each symbol reflects a core value of Sanatan Dharma. According to a TOI report, the Kovidara tree is believed to be a hybrid of the Mandar and Parijat trees, created by Rishi Kashyap, giving it deep spiritual significance.
According to a report by CNBC TV18, an Indian indologist, Lalit Mishra, said that he first came across the flag – the one hoisted by PM Modi at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir – while studying a painting from the visual Ramayana and later in the Ayodhya Kand of Valmiki Ramayan.
Mishra explained that he initially confused the Kovidara tree with the Kachnar tree because of their similar botanical names. It was only after consulting Banaras Hindu University (BHU) professors Gyaneshwar Chaube and Abhishek Dwivedi that he was able to correctly identify the Kovidara tree.
He further noted that Ayodhya had “lost” its original flag after its ruler, Brihadbal, was killed in the Mahabharata war. Mishra also claimed that neither the Kovidara tree nor Ayodhya’s ancient flag appears in more than 299 later versions of the Ramayana.
“I saw Ayodhya’s flag in one of the paintings. I found the reference… in the Valmiki Ramayana… I am glad the flag is back to the place it originated from after such a long time,” he told news agency ANI.
He added, “So now I am very happy that it has been discovered and it has found its place.”
Watch PM Modi and Mohan Bhagwat hoisting the flag:
#WATCH | Ayodhya Dhwajarohan | PM Modi and RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat ceremonially hoist the saffron flag on the Shikhar of the sacred Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple, symbolising the completion of the temple’s construction.
— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2025
The right-angled triangular flag, measuring 10 feet… pic.twitter.com/Ip8mATz2DC
After the flag hoisting ceremony, CM Adityanath – who was also present at the religious event – gifted a miniatures of Dharma Dhwaj and a model of the Ram Lalla idol, to PM Modi and RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat.
Prime Minister Modi also visited several other temples located within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex. These are dedicated to Maharshi Vashishtha, Maharshi Vishwamitra, Maharshi Agastya, Maharshi Valmiki, Devi Ahilya, Nishadraj Guha, and Mata Shabari and were constructed after the consecration of the main temple.
