Meet Mysore’s celebrity tree, now facing extinction

Mysore: Probably one of the largest trees in the country, this ‘heritage’ banyan tree (Dodda aladamara) located on T. Narasipur Road near Varuna tank is nothing short of a celebrity.

People from surrounding areas and neighboring districts are arriving in hordes to watch and picture nature’s wonder. During the Dasara celebrations, the place received the maximum number of tourists. However, the tree is now facing a threat as people who visit it are cutting the aerial roots.

This Great Banyan Tree has featured in around 30 films, including the popular flick Baba starring superstar Rajnikanth and the old Aamir Khan starrer Raja Hindustani. Recently, Sandalwood actress Shweta Pandit also did shooting under this tree’s huge canopy for an upcoming album Preetiya Hejje.

Though there is no authentic record on its age, locals say it is easily over 300 years old. Definitely, the tree existed even before Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar reign (1794–1868). Mummadi’s wife Drvarajammanni built a tank and Mahadeshwara temple in 1828. Workers involved in the construction were said to have rested under the tree. As elephants thrive on the leaves of this tree, branches of leaves are supplied to the Dasara elephants every year.

Its caretaker Swamy, who has dedicated himself to the protection of the tree, claimed that the tree has a history of 400 years old. “The land belongs to us and my grandfather Madaiah also dedicated his life to this tree. The crown of the tree is spread across 1.5 acres. After Kengeri’s banyan tree, this is the largest tree in Karnataka”, he said.

However, the beauty of this tree is it has stayed intact in one piece braving  nature’s fury. It is shaped like a  perfect umbrella unlike some other great banyan trees whose main trunk has decayed. Mr. Swamy says the tree also has  healing powers.