Dodda Aalada Mara | |
---|---|
Roots of the tree
|
|
Species | Banyan (Ficus bengalensis) |
Location | Kettohalli, Bangalore Urban, Karnataka, India |
Coordinates | 12°54′34″N 77°23′44″E / 12.90944°N 77.39556°ECoordinates: 12°54′34″N 77°23′44″E / 12.90944°N 77.39556°E |
Date seeded | 17th century |
The Dodda Aalada Mara(ದೊಡ್ಡ ಆಲದ ಮರ), literally translated to Big Banyan Tree, is a giant 400-year-old Banyan tree (Ficus bengalensis), located in the village of Kethohalli in the Bangalore Urban district of Karnataka, India. This single plant covers 3 acres (12,000 m2) and is one of the largest of its kind. In the 2000s, the main root of the tree succumbed to natural disease, and thus the tree now looks like many different trees.
The tree is 28 kilometres (17 mi) from Bangalore, on the Bangalore – Mysore Road. Buses can be taken from Majestic to Kengeri, and then from Kengeri to Doda Alada Mara. There are direct buses from K. R. Market to Dodda Alada mara which stops just beside the tree. If you plan to drive, take the Mysore Road and take a right turn at Ramohalli Cross. There is enough place for street-side parking once you reach the Banyan tree. Please be advised that the tree is the natural home of a large number of monkeys and one should be careful with food, water, camera bags, and anything else that can be snatched away.
Monkeys in the tree
Monkeys around Big Banyan Tree surroundings
Monkey on the Banyan tree