Thimmamma Marrimanu or Thimmamma’s Banyan Tree, is the world’s largest living single-tree canopy. The single banyan tree in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, is spread over five acres of land and is more than 550 years old. The tree is named after Thimmamma who committed sati, and it is said to have originated from one of the poles used in the funeral pyre. The tree has more than 4,000 roots making up its canopy, and houses a temple dedicated to Thimmamma at its centre. The tree is kept alive through co-evolution; fig wasps lay their eggs in the tree’s figs, helping both species to survive and expand. In 1989, it was named as the largest tree specimen in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records.
The peaceful and secluded setting that surrounds Thimmamma Marrimanu makes it hard to believe that Bangalore – India’s third most populated city – lies less than 180km south-west. Instead of hustle and bustle, the tree is alive with the birdsong of parrots and doves, flying foxes hang from branches within the canopy, and monkeys beg for handouts from the temple’s roof.
Of course, the animal residents are also included in the tree’s local folklore, which says that birds will not sleep in the tree at night and snakes have vowed to never harm anyone inside the canopy, both out of respect for the goddess.
Whether there is any truth to these tales, Thimmamma Marrimanu has become an enduring symbol of fertility, life and resurrection, and has brought solace to people throughout the ages. The fact that the tree is still growing means that it’s likely to continue to do so for many generations to come.
Picture Credit : Google
