Thimmama - Hosting the World's biggest tree

This is one wonder, which has definitely not got its share of credit. Thimmamma, located near Kadiri in South India is a wonder that India should be proud of. Unfortunately, not many are even aware of this place or what it stands for. To get to the matter straight, Thimmamma is the place that hosts the world's largest banyan tree and probably the world's largest tree as well.

REACHING THERE: Thimmamma is located at a distance of about 35 kms from Kadiri. Kadiri in turn is located at Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh in South India. It is located at a distance of about 100 kms from Anantapur main city. Kadiri is also close to Puttaparthi, the abode of Satya Sai Baba. It is about 50 kms from Puttaparthi. The nearest major rail head would be Tadipatri (about 50kms from Anantapur) located on the Chennai-Mumbai rail route. The road from Kadiri is not so great and the directions/ signposts are also quite minimal.

ALL ABOUT THIMMAMMA: Thimmamma is the place that hosts the world's largest Banyan tree and very much possibly the world's largest tree. The tree is about 650 years old, but never bears a look of it. The tree very much looks fresh and could easily survive centuries. Now for its size: the tree has about 1200 branches and covers, not one or two, but 5 acres. Yes, you heard it right. A single tree covers 5 acres.

There is an old, rusted sign board that indicates the fact that this the world's largest banyan tree. In fact, it is tough to locate the board as it located at one distant corner near the entrance. This was certified as the world's largest banyan tree by the Guinness Book of World Records, way back in the late 80s.

There is a fenced entrance to the place. You cannot directly reach out and touch the tree. You go through a fenced path with the branches of the tree sprouting on both sides. It's a great sight to look at. On both sides till the horizon you would see a green patch and it's great to feel that all comes from a single tree. You do however get a chance to have a feel of some sub-branches of the tree and probably take a snap along with it to mark your presence at Thimmamma.

A digital camera can never capture the magnificent structure. You are bound to take a lot of pics hoping one of them at least would capture the splendour. Unfortunately, you are likely to end up disappointed. The best lens to capture the beauty would b your eyes.

There is a small temple dedicated to a lady, Thimmamma, who is believed to have planted the banyan tree. The place is also named after her. There is a folklore attached to Thimmamma and the place, about which you would find a brief description at the entrance to the temple.

Probably, you would just spend at most 1 hour at Thimmamma. But, having come here I am sure you would feel great that you have watched a natural wonder and a proud structure that has stood the test of times for centuries and at the same time, feel a bit sad that the place is yet to receive the recognition, it richly deserves.

ADDITIONAL NEAR-BY VISITS: There is a famous Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Kadiri which is definitely worth a visit. The statue of the lord here is said to sweat. One could visit Prashanti Nilayam, the abode of Satya Sai Baba, about 50 kms from Kadiri. Also, one could touch upon Lepakshi temple boasting brilliant architectural splendours, located 100 kms away from Kadiri. The statue of the Nandi bull here is said to be the largest in the world.

SCHEDULING YOUR TRIP: If you are coming down from Anantapur, you could start the day with a visit to Lepakshi, then proceed to Thimmamma, visit the Kadiri temple and then either return to Anantapur or proceed to Prashanthi Nilayam. One can adopt the same route, if one is coming in from Bangalore as well. Lepakshi is about 150 kms from Bangalore.