Ramohalli Banyan Tree
There are plentiful places to visit in and around Bangalore. However, for professionals like us, there’s so less of time. I always wish for an extended weekend. "Less work and more play makes Jack an active sac". Regretfully, there is so little time and so much to see.
I was googling for a weekend getaway not far from the City… and then I spotted the famous big banyan tree at Ramohalli. It is a stone’s throw away from Bangalore, which could be the ideal spot to unwind, away from the City’s hustle and bustle.
Another lazy Sunday was around the corner and no scheduled shoots to follow… Hence, we clicked the idea to head towards the big banyan tree...
We, four friends, Rohit, Royan, Jagan and myself started off from Bangalore at around 9 am. A mere 28 kms South-East of Bangalore, we reached the spot from Kumbalgod on Mysore Road. As we came near the place, the wide canopy of the tree comes into view.
This serene picnic spot has a sprawling 400-year-old Banyan Tree (Ficus Benghalensis), which spreads over a large area! It is called 'Dodda Alada Mara' in Kannada meaning Big Banyan Tree. The tree with its vertical root system is said to be the biggest tree in Karnataka.
A little of the statistics…after the world’s biggest banyan tree at Thimmamma Marimanu near Gooty in Andhra Pradesh, the bany
an tree at Botanical Gardens of Kolkata and Adyar tree at Chennai, this is the fourth largest banyan tree in India. As is typical to this species, the main tree has over the years spread out widely with several aerial roots or prop roots.
The main trunk has given life to several roots and branches with lots of leaves. Branches jutting on all sides have slanted towards the ground. The rustic settings and an enchanting view of the nearby Savandurga hills makes this an ideal picnic spot. The Banyan Tree restaurant run by the Tourism department caters to the needs of visitors.
The entire tree is fenced and one can walk alongside the labyrinth of roots, which create a cool, shady environment. It is believed that the tree is symbolic of the trinity with the roots representing Brahma, the stems and the bark representing Vishnu and the branches symbolising Maheshwara. There is also a Shiva temple in the enclosure.
It also happens to be a familiar setting for many a romantic movie sequence. Also, you would remember the famous song sequence of "Sholey".. yeh dosti hum nahin chhorenge.. yes it is the same tree.
Nearby to the tree is the largest Snake temple of Karnataka, called the Naga temple. It is about 3 kms from the Big Banyan tree while returning towards Mysore Road. The temple hosts a large statue of Nag.
There are times when you follow instincts and come upon places that simply take the breath away.
However, it’s always a good idea to pre plan the trip to the place you wish to visit to make it an unforgettable outing. Here are few travel tips that might help you the next time you visit the place:
How to reach: Drive on Mysore Road beyond Kengeri, take a deviation to the right at Kumbalagod junction and proceed for seven kms. If approaching from Magadi Road, turn left at a spot with a clear indication between Tavarekere and Chennenahalli, and continue for about six kms. Many buses reach the place from Bangalore City.
You may choose to visit the Naga Temple 3 Kms from the Big banyan tree towards Mysore Road. (you have to take a left diversion well marked by arrow on a yellow board)
Nearby is the picturesque Manchanabele reservoir surrounded by hills which can also be visited on the way to Magadi Road. Around 30 kms from Bangalore, just before the Tippagondanahalli reservoir, on the Bangalore-Magadi main road, if you are sharp-eyed, take the left turn at the signpost (painted in pale yellow) towards Manchinbele dam and subsequently Mysore road.
Refreshments: Available; There are a few shops, hotels including Hotel Mayura belonging to the KSTDC that come to view as one drives into the place.
Suggestion: Watch out for monkeys and take care to leave the place clean
There are plentiful places to visit in and around Bangalore. However, for professionals like us, there’s so less of time. I always wish for an extended weekend. "Less work and more play makes Jack an active sac". Regretfully, there is so little time and so much to see.
I was googling for a weekend getaway not far from the City… and then I spotted the famous big banyan tree at Ramohalli. It is a stone’s throw away from Bangalore, which could be the ideal spot to unwind, away from the City’s hustle and bustle.
Another lazy Sunday was around the corner and no scheduled shoots to follow… Hence, we clicked the idea to head towards the big banyan tree...
We, four friends, Rohit, Royan, Jagan and myself started off from Bangalore at around 9 am. A mere 28 kms South-East of Bangalore, we reached the spot from Kumbalgod on Mysore Road. As we came near the place, the wide canopy of the tree comes into view.
This serene picnic spot has a sprawling 400-year-old Banyan Tree (Ficus Benghalensis), which spreads over a large area! It is called 'Dodda Alada Mara' in Kannada meaning Big Banyan Tree. The tree with its vertical root system is said to be the biggest tree in Karnataka.
A little of the statistics…after the world’s biggest banyan tree at Thimmamma Marimanu near Gooty in Andhra Pradesh, the bany
an tree at Botanical Gardens of Kolkata and Adyar tree at Chennai, this is the fourth largest banyan tree in India. As is typical to this species, the main tree has over the years spread out widely with several aerial roots or prop roots.The main trunk has given life to several roots and branches with lots of leaves. Branches jutting on all sides have slanted towards the ground. The rustic settings and an enchanting view of the nearby Savandurga hills makes this an ideal picnic spot. The Banyan Tree restaurant run by the Tourism department caters to the needs of visitors.
The entire tree is fenced and one can walk alongside the labyrinth of roots, which create a cool, shady environment. It is believed that the tree is symbolic of the trinity with the roots representing Brahma, the stems and the bark representing Vishnu and the branches symbolising Maheshwara. There is also a Shiva temple in the enclosure.
It also happens to be a familiar setting for many a romantic movie sequence. Also, you would remember the famous song sequence of "Sholey".. yeh dosti hum nahin chhorenge.. yes it is the same tree.
Nearby to the tree is the largest Snake temple of Karnataka, called the Naga temple. It is about 3 kms from the Big Banyan tree while returning towards Mysore Road. The temple hosts a large statue of Nag.
There are times when you follow instincts and come upon places that simply take the breath away.
However, it’s always a good idea to pre plan the trip to the place you wish to visit to make it an unforgettable outing. Here are few travel tips that might help you the next time you visit the place:
How to reach: Drive on Mysore Road beyond Kengeri, take a deviation to the right at Kumbalagod junction and proceed for seven kms. If approaching from Magadi Road, turn left at a spot with a clear indication between Tavarekere and Chennenahalli, and continue for about six kms. Many buses reach the place from Bangalore City.
You may choose to visit the Naga Temple 3 Kms from the Big banyan tree towards Mysore Road. (you have to take a left diversion well marked by arrow on a yellow board)
Nearby is the picturesque Manchanabele reservoir surrounded by hills which can also be visited on the way to Magadi Road. Around 30 kms from Bangalore, just before the Tippagondanahalli reservoir, on the Bangalore-Magadi main road, if you are sharp-eyed, take the left turn at the signpost (painted in pale yellow) towards Manchinbele dam and subsequently Mysore road.
Refreshments: Available; There are a few shops, hotels including Hotel Mayura belonging to the KSTDC that come to view as one drives into the place.
Suggestion: Watch out for monkeys and take care to leave the place clean
2 comments:
An Excellent writeup...takes one deep into the world of serinity.really an excellent topic to pen down and nicely done too...
I went there once in a BIke Trip. Spent a couple of hours there. From there we went to a nearby village which has a dam. It was a lovely and low-cost 6 hours timepass on a weekend.
Post a Comment