Big Banyan Tree

The 400-year-old sprawling Dodd Aladamara (big banyan tree) covers about 3 acres. The main tree has over the years spread out widely with several aerial roots and though is a single tree, it looks like many different trees now.

The entire tree is fenced, and the enclosed area has marked pathways, where we walked under the tree’s canopy, enjoying the banyan shade. There are good seating arrangements, dustbins and also security to guard the place.

Vij at Dodda Aladamara

This is the fourth largest banyan tree in India:
1) World’s biggest banyan tree at Thimmamma Marimanu near Gooty in Andhra Pradesh.
2) The banyan tree at Botanical Gardens in Kolkata.
3) Adyar banyan tree in Chennai.

There is a small Lord Muneshwara (Lord Shiva) temple in the enclosure. There are many monkeys and we saw a few of them sharing watermelon with the visitors.

It was really sad to see the acts of vandalism on the trunk, branches, and roots, literally it was etched graffiti!

There were no swanky restaurants, but a few country shops offer tea and snacks.

Away from the maddening rush of the city, we enjoyed the greenery on the way and various flower nurseries.