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.

Belum Caves - Amazing work of Mother Nature

Nature always has amazing gifts to offer to mankind and one such great wonder is Belum Caves, the largest cave system on plains of India, lying below agricultural fields. A walk down the caves truly takes one to a different world altogether... one that takes you towards the earth's crust.

REACHING THERE: Belum Caves is located in Kurnool district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India. The nearest major town in Tadpatri, from where the caves are around 35kms away. Tadpatri is also the nearest rail head and is located on the Chennai-Mumbai rail route. Other nearby towns to reach Belum caves would be Anantapur (90 kms away) and Kurnool town (110 kms away). The route from Tadpatri to Belum caves is good in parts, bad in parts and decent for the rest.

It is tough to miss out the entry to the caves. From afar, at least 5 kms away, you would be able to spot the name 'Belum Caves' painted on the hill top lying close to the cave system. Even, if you miss that, there is no way you would pass a blind eye over the huge statue of Buddha placed at the entrance to the caves. Statue of Buddha is not there without a good reason as the caves were once occupied by Buddhist monks.

BELUM CAVES: Belum caves is just about gaining prominence. Many have still not even heard of it. So, it definitely is a paradise unexplored. One of the three huge holes in the field serve as entry point to the cave. A nominal entry fee of Rs.40/- is charged. A descent of 15-20 steps takes you directly to the starting point of the cave. Being on the plains and involving limited physical efforts, it clearly is one cave that any one in the family, across ages, can reach and explore with ease.

Except a water bottle, one is not allowed to take any other belonging into the caves. There is a cloak room available outside the caves where belongings can be deposited. If you do not carry anything valuable, then you could just place your bags in the open lockers just besides the entry stair case. No eatables, including soft drinks are allowed. Apart from hygienic reasons to keep the caves litter-free, eatables are prohibited to avoid growth of bacteria inside the caves.

A group of visitors would be accompanied by a guide. These guides are made available by AP tourism and are free of cost. It is definitely worth to move through the caves alongside a guide, especially if it is your first visit. How to navigate and what to observe would be best known only to the guides. If you are a non-Telugu speaking visitor, you should be able to find a guide speaking either Hindi or English. So, language should not be a barrier here.

THE JOURNEY INSIDE: The caves is a complete natural formation of stalactites and stalagmites, essentially limestone formations. A walk through the caves completely could take up to 3 hours, especially if you have a camera at hand. The entire cave system is not an easy walk through. Although, it is not very tough to navigate, it could be physically exerting to some extent. One might have to pass through narrow openings, dark patches and a few rocky paths. Also, at several places, one essentially has to bend over to seep through. One also needs to be careful about rocky projections here and there along the path to make sure you do not bang into any of them.

All these might sound a bit scary. But, you can be rest assured it is not. These are all you would look forward to inside a cave and you do get it all at Belum caves. The walk inside the caves is definitely feasible for the entire family. Being under the earth's crust with limited ventilation, be prepared to sweat profusely. Credit should go to AP tourism for placing ventilation ducts at strategic points inside the caves. After a bit of exertion, a whiff of air comes as a great relief inside the caves. The caves are also lit appropriately. It offers enough light to click a few pics and yet is dull enough to keep the exploration natural and exciting.

IMAGINATIVE STRUCTURES: As you walk through, the guide would draw you attention to several interesting observation points inside the cave. Most of these would be structures formed by limestone that resembles a human or an animal or an object. All these are just figments of imagination, but that makes the trip quite interesting. I am sure as you walk through you would discover new patterns and imaginative structures that the guide has not made a mention of.

As I think through, there were several such very interesting structures we observed. The structure of a lion, a crocodile, a diwan, Lord Ganapathy, a five-hooded snake and India map to name a few. There were also certain earmarked locations. One among them was Kodi Lingam (meaning a crore lingas), where limestone formation on the roof of the caves would resemble a huge plethora of lingas. Then, there was Patala Ganga, the deepest point of the cave at around 150ft below ground level. There one can observe a natural formation of a linga with a narrow water stream below it.

One other interesting observation is a place where stalactite and stalagmite (one emerging from the roof and the other from the floor) meet to form a pillar. Further, interestingly, while returning we were given an option of walking back the same way we had come or take an adventure route through a dim lit passage with mini rocks all over the ground. We took the adventure option and had to pretty much squat through the passage. That added to the excitement and gave a nice little finale to the trip.

ENDLESS CAVES: Belum cave system is also called locally the Endless cave as no one knows where the cave system ends. Only certain sections of the cave have been developed for tourists and certain sections earmarked for future developments. So, probably in future the caves would have lot more to offer.

AMENITIES: While AP tourism should be credited for effective management of the caves, other amenities there requires a face lift. In specific, the restaurant facility is a big drawback. So, if you are planning a visit to Belum caves, it is better you carry food with you. After an exerting trip, I am sure you would want to have a happy meal, which unfortunately the place does not offer. There is also not a great hotel to stay near-by and one will have to halt in the near-by towns.

ADDITIONAL NEAR-BY VISIT: Tadpatri has two very wonderful temples that is worth a look. Chintala Venkatramana temple and Bugga Ramalingeswara temple. Both are unique in their own ways and speaks volumes of the great craftsmanship of Indian sculptors in those days. If you are in specific interested in arts and sculpture, then these temples are a must visit. I would probably make a post on them soon. So watch out the blog space.

SCHEDULING YOUR TRIP: Anantapur is probably your best option for lodging overnight. So, if you do start from there, you could first cover the Tadpatri temples, probably visit Alur Ranganathaswamy temple and then push off to Belum caves. From here, you can proceed to Yaganti, the abode of Lord Uma Maheshwara and then to Nandyal, if you wish to make your next overnight halt or to Ahobilam to seek the blessings of Lord Narasimha.