Big Banyan Tree

Estimated to be between 400 and 600 years old, spread across an area of 3 acres (130,680 square feet), this banyan tree, also known as Dodda Aalada Mara in Kannada, is believed to be the 3rd oldest tree in India and 4th largest banyan tree by size. It is situated in a village named Kethohalli on the outskirts of Bengaluru on the southern side. It is at a distance of 8km from Bengaluru-Mysuru highway and about 10km from NICE Corridor intersection.

The Banyan Tree is believed to be 3rd oldest known tree in India. The two older trees known and documented are:

1. The Arbol Parijaat tree in Kintoor near Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh [700 – 800 years old]
2. The Baobab tree of Jhunsi (not Jhansi) near Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

It is also believed that the Big Banyan Tree is 4th largest known Banyan Tree in India. The other three being:

1. Thimmamma Marrimanu, Kadiri, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh – covering an expanse of 4.72 acres
2. The Great Banyan located in Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal with an expanse of 4.67 acres, and
3. Adyar Aala Mara, Theosophical Society, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The exact is not known as there are varying reports

Over the centuries, the Big Banyan Tree in Kethohalli has played host to wide variety and several generations of fauna. At present, it is under the maintenance of Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka. The tree lost its main trunk to natural illness and is survived by what seem to be a group of several smaller banyan trees growing together. The present crown of the tree has a circumference of about 95feet.

The entire area can be navigated through neatly laid out path by the Department of Horticulture and portrays several stunning and breathtaking views. Visitors are advised not to stray away from this footpath, avoid walking on the grass or damage the tree or its hanging roots by any means like etching names, hanging on the roots, etc.

The Tree and the nearby jungle are home to many monkeys and birds. People who think they can carry out a picnic under the shades of the tree are advised against it as these monkeys could grab your stuff. The Department of Horticulture for this reason prevents any kind of picnic activity within the confines.

The Big Banyan Tree is situated at approximately 8km from Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway. There are buses plying from the bus stop at Rajarajeshwari College of Engineering frequently. If you are going by car, you would need to make a turn at the road besides the college. Note, the road passes through a railway level crossing and an industrial area so please be mindful of these circumstances and drive carefully.

The Big Banyan Tree over the years has appeared in many Kannada and Bollywood movies. Whether it is the scenes where the lead actor (popularly known as Hero) is trying to woo the lead actress (obviously known as Heroine) through song and dance around the branches and hanging roots of this tree or the Hero beating the pulp of the villain, this tree has seen it all. We could compile a few of these short videos for you below. Please let us know if we missed out on any movies that could be included in this list.

Manchanabele Dam, Savanadurga Fort & Trek, Kanive Mutturaya Swamy Temple and Mukti Naga Temple are worth checking out.