The Indian Botanical Garden, located in Shibpur, Howrah near Kolkata, is the largest botanical garden in India. Spanning 109 hectares, the garden houses over 12,000 living plant specimens, showcasing an exceptional diversity of flora. One of its most iconic attractions is the Great Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis), often considered the largest tree in the world by canopy coverage, with a circumference exceeding 330 metres. The sprawling tree resembles a dense forest and attracts botanists and tourists from around the world.

Established in 1786 by Colonel Robert Kyd of the British East India Company, the garden was originally known as the Royal Botanic Gardens. Today, it is officially called the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden. The garden is also notable for its rare collections of orchids, bamboos, palms, and screw pines, playing a crucial role in botanical research and conservation in India. With its rich legacy and ecological importance, the garden continues to be a vital center for scientific study and a serene refuge for nature lovers.