Bank chips in to give Big Banyan Tree a makeover

Bank chips in to give Big Banyan Tree a makeover
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The 350-year-old Big Banyan tree at Romohalli, 27 km from city, attracts thousands of tourists and picnickers. Now, banks have come forward to contribute to the development of the area, so that this green giant is all set to become a tourists hot spot for generations to come.

S T Hanumayya, Assistant Director, Horticulture Department, told this website’s newspaper that the Department was planning to give the area a face lift to make it more tourist friendly.

‘‘We are planning to develop the surroundings. The Bank of Maharashtra has come forward to invest in the beautification and the landscaping of the area,’’ he said.

The fabled Big Banyan, spread over 4.5 acres of land, has an impressive girth. Its vertical root system forms a pleasing complex. The thick trunk has withered away, and innumerable hanging prop roots and branches with broad leaves have sprouted. The branches jut out on all sides and are slanted towards the ground in a picturesque matrix.

There are several legends about the tree. If folk tales are to to believed, it was sage Muneshwara who performed penance at the heart of the tree.

Some say that the tree was planted by a farmer called Uniyappa in today’s Uniyanapalya during the harvest season. Today, this is the second biggest tree in the country, next to the one in Kolkata.

Septuagenarian B. Rudrappa says the tree has been attracting more tourists with each passing day. ‘‘We played monkey games on this tree when we were young. Now we worship this tree since we have grown with it,’’ he said.

Five years ago, the mother root collapsed when it was struck by lightning. But the other branches remained unaffected.

Myriad species of birds are found here along with monkeys. Another attraction at the tree is the Muneshwara temple. People also visit the tree to conduct poojas and after Ugadi when the annual mela is held here.

Srinivasamurthy, a temple priest, says they celebrate the Muneshwara annual fair 20 days after Ugadi. Pilgrims come from distant places to take part. Against the picturesque backdrop of the Savandurga hills and a cool atmosphere, the place offers the very best tourist experience.