Visit to Big Banyan Tree of Bangalore
Plan for Sunday was to visit Dodda Aalada Mara, which translates to Big Banyan Tree, near Bengaluru. Gently swaying roots of the huge tree greeted us as we stepped into the park. Some were mighty firmly rooted to ground though. We intuitively associate roots with parts of plants and trees below the ground. So when we, the kids especially, saw roots take up spaces above earth that too with dimensions that our palm couldn’t envelope we were awestruck.
The Big Banyan Tree of Ramohalli, Bangalore is a thrilling weekend destination of most Bangaloreans. 28km west of Bangalore, it is very easily accessible by road, with clear signboards towards the location of the Banyan tree. Each time we make a visit there we are stunned by its vast canopy… 400 years old and still going strong; spread over three acres of land.
Lord Munisvara Temple
Local people believe that your unfilled wish will materialize in 90 days time if you make nine rounds at the Mukti Naga Temple around the ant hill in Big Banyan Tree.
Munisvara Temple in Big Banyan Tree Park
The main trunk is no longer there, in its place there is a temple. The tree is worshiped here. All around is a maze of roots, trunks and branches. The branches spread out in all directions, the roots dropping down touch the ground, new shoots develop, which turn into thick trunks. These trunks spread out more branches; it appears as if the tree is walking.
Dodda Aalada Mara Bangalore
Banyan Tree Trivia
The Banyan tree is the national tree of India, the interlinking branches and roots signifying the country’s unity in diversity.
Of the various uses of the various parts of the tree, one hair care tip I came across while reading about Banyan trees is: crush the prop root of Banyan with elephant dung and apply to head to have a luxurious hair growth. Women of Indo-Nepal Terai region practice this. Do let me know if any of you is trying out this. 🙂
Interestingly the banyan tree is called Bahupada in Sanskrit, meaning one with many legs.
It got its name Banyan from the baniyas (merchants, traders) who would assemble under these huge trees to discuss business.
Popular Bollywood movies like Sholay (the song sequence yeh dosti…) and Khalnayak (fight scenes) were shot here.
Scientific name is Ficus bengalensis. The trees of Ficus family are known to reclaim what belongs to Mother Nature by crushing the man made structure. See: Sacred Temple of Ta Phrom in Angkor
Weekend Destination with Kids
Children seemed to enjoy the place the most. Many adults were seen relaxing on the benches while the kids were attempting to climb the tree roots as if competing with the monkeys around. I asked my kids if they enjoyed this place more or the Bannerghatta National Park. They were in two minds. While in Bannerghatta they were caged in a vehicle that moved around to show the animals, here they were free to move around.
The whole area looked like a mini jungle; there were plenty of monkeys, birds and squirrels around. Many visitors to the place were seen calling them and offering eatables to them. It was obvious the monkeys were having a gala time. I was not sure who was entertaining whom. The Big Banyan Tree at Ramohalli, Bangalore is a place worth visiting, if you can appreciate a wonder of nature.
Tips to Visit Big Banyan Tree
- It is a clean picnic spot with lots of greenery and small hotels in the vicinity.
- Monkeys are there but they seemed to be used to the presence of humans. People offer them bananas and drinks which they accept without any inhibition. They are on their own as long as people don’t bug them.
- Take refreshing walks inside this park. You can just sit on the wooden and stone benches and watch nature go by.
- They have parking space for vehicles nearby.
- It is a pet friendly place.
- There are no entrance fees for the park. It is a free sight.
- Restrooms are well maintained, they charge 5Rs for using them.
Timings – Open everyday from 8 AM to 5.30 PM.
Nearby Sights
Nearby sightseeing places along NH 275 are Ramanagara Ramdevara Betta Vulture Sanctuary 32.7km, Janapada Loka 35km, and Kokkarebellur Bird Sanctuary 70.2km.
How to reach Dodda Aalada Mara Bangalore
Distance from Kempegowda International airport is 58.2km. From Majestic Bus stand of Bangalore the distance is 27.8km. There are plenty of state transport and private cars that will drop you at The Big Banyan Tree.
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(This post was published first on Aug 2nd 2008.)
Wow — those trees are beautiful. Thank you for sharing those pictures.
And, thanks for stopping by the other day. 🙂
I will probably never have the opportunity to visit, so thank you SO much for sharing this amazing tree! Very cool!
amazing shots!
Beautiful photos! I’d only heard of Bangalore as a high-tech center.
Wow these are Amazing…
that looked fascinating – did i tell you about the big one on Edison’s estate in Florida and the biggest in Calcutta? Check them out…
wow, these trees look really impressive! and they seem to form quite an ecosystem… wonderful
I liked that…. “…crush the prop root of Banyan with elephant dung ….. Do let me know if any of you is trying out this. :)”
mmmm looking for experimental monkeys ? Where’s my helmet?..!!!
i heard so much abt the banyan this is the first time i have seen it. wat an experience. it is so much in folk lore and rfairy tales. thanks!
Thisis one place i have been planning to go since a looong time….Its true what they say – You never get time to see the places nearer. 🙂 I take the mysore road daily till Bidadi and have several times come across this deviaiton To Doda allada mara.
One of my fav spots..been a while since I went there…in Madras, the Adyar Alamaram or the banyan tree as its known in Tamil is one of the oldest and the theosophical society is built around it..awesome place..:)
We used to keep the prop root in oil bottle to apply on head. My mother insisted, but I refused most of the time.End result, I could count whats left on top of my head!!LOl
Those are amazing shots. What a pleasure to get to see this area.
O what gorgeous pics! I loved wandering this world!
And thank you so much for your delightful comments on my blog!
All I can say :
Ohhh my God !
There is a famous one here too in Adyar – known as the Adyar aala maram. Believed to be around 400 years old, its main trunk was destroyed in 1990 or so.
Nice post with great pictures, as usual.
This is just amazing. The way you describe it, it’s like a labyrinth in there. 🙂
That’s way too pretty…Mine is ready too.
We visited that tree as an unplanned detour, and am I glad about that! The monkeys are very friendly, and like to pick peanuts from hands, even pockets…
Those trees are huge! Nice photos too..
that was very cool thanks for sharing that
Wowza, those trees are so FASCINATING! So lovely.
i have been to bangalore twice but never been to this place….i ahve heard of it though!!…looks lovely…and lively going by the monkey pics….!!!…
Lovely shot Indrani it make me wish I can see it in real..I wish I can really visit your place someday..