Bauhinia purpurea (B. purpurea) (family: Fabaceae) commonly called as butter fly tree has vast medicinal uses and remarkable pharmacological potential. Various phytoconstituents, extracts and parts of this plant were possess significant pharmacological activities such as cardiac activity, antifungal, wound healing, antidiabetic, antiulcer, antioxidant, antinociceptive, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antidiarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antimalarial, gastro protective and cytoprotective activity. The present study emphasizes the overview of recent studies and/or updates on pharmacological potential of B. purpurea.