Thimmamma Marrimanu is a natural marvel that is touted as the largest banyan tree in the world.

Overview

With a canopy measuring over 25,000 sq m and about 1,200 prop roots, Thimmamma Marrimanu is a natural marvel that is touted as the largest banyan tree in the world. From afar, the tree looks like a small forest, but it is only when you see it up close you realise that it is actually a huge mass of tangled branches radiating in every direction. 

A landscaped garden has been built around the tree, which has been cordoned off by a fence to protect it. A path has been laid amidst the branches to a temple that is located in the heart of the tree.

Significance

Legend has it that Thimmamma,a royal lady who is venerated for having given up her life when her husband died, planted the tree in the 16th century. While the grove has been considered sacred for centuries, the temple was constructed only recently.

The landscape along the road from Kadiri to Thimmamma Marrimanu is stunning. Just outside Kadiri, to the east, one comes across the Itikirathi Cheruvu. Further ahead, there are unusual rock formations and scrub forests. The countryside to the south, on the road to Kokkanti, is the quintessentialsylvan idyll.

The tree was first noticed and revealed to the world by Regret Iyer (Sathyanarayana Iyer), a freelance journalist and photographer from Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Later he made all efforts to have the tree recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.

 

Photos

How to Reach

Nearest Airport is Bangalore City.

Kadiri is the nearest Railway Station, local transportation like autos are available. 

Local transportation like cabs, buses, and autos are available from kadiri to Thimmamma Marrimanu.

Best time to visit

Highlights

Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple-Is one of the finest architectural legacies of the Vijayanagara Empire because of the precision and finesse with which sculptures have been etched on them.

Chintala Venkat ramana Swamy Temple-Built with black granite stone, is known for its massive gopuram, which has a plethora of engravings at its base. 

Kadiri Laxmi Narashimha Swamy Temple-Most of the inscriptions on the shrine's walls date back to the Vijayangara Era and are in Telugu in this temple.

Lepakshi-The monolithic Nandi, said to be the largest in the world.

Hemavathi-Historic village of Hemavathi is home to a remarkable group of temples built in the 8-10th centuries under the reign of the Nolamba Dynasty.

Gooty Fort-The fort at Gooty is one of the most impressive citadels in Andhra Pradesh.

Dharmavaram-The handloom silk and cotton sarees of Dharmavaram are famous not only in Andhra Pradesh, but across the country.

Penna Ahobilam-On the banks of the Pennar River stands tall a temple dedicated to Laxmi Narasimha Swamy.

Ratnagiri Fort-Close to karnataka border, stands the mighty Ratnagiri Fort, which stretches across two hill locks.