World’s largest, historic Thimmamma Banyan Tree to get BT road
AP government has approved Rs.88 lakh for completion of the road, which will be taken under the NREGA programme
Anantapur: The world’s biggest banyan tree – Thimmamma Marrimanu in NP Kunta mandal of Satya Sai district – is to get road connectivity ahead of the Shivaratri Jatara under the tree, which is attended by devotees from AP, Karnataka and Telangana.
AP government has approved ₹88 lakh for completion of the road, which will be taken under the NREGA programme.
Thimmamma Marrimanu figures in the Guinness World Records as the biggest tree on the earth, which has survived the numerous droughts that the Rayalaseema region has faced. Historians have been demanding that it be declared as a national monument.
The largest banyan tree Ficus Benghalensis is located about 25 km away from Kadiri, The tree is spread over 4.721 acres and its canopy covers 19,107 square metres.
As per the legend, according to history Thimmamma married Bala Veerayya, who died in 1434 of illness. A devoted wife, she nursed her ailing husband devotedly. However, when Bala Veerayya died, Thimmamma committed Sati. The banyan tree is believed to have sprouted where she had lit her funeral pyre and ascended to heavens.
The six centuries’ old tree had first been noticed by Regret Iyer, a freelance journalist and photographer from Bengaluru in Karnataka. Later he made all efforts to have the tree recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. His name is also included in the book for his efforts.
A small temple dedicated to Thimmamma is located beneath the tree. It is believed that if a childless couple worships Thimmamma, they will be blessed with a child next year. Annual celebrations are held at the Thimmamma Temple every Shivaratri festival.
Recognising the significance of the tree and the Shivaratri event, the state government has sanctioned a BT road, including CD works, from the existing BT road to the Thimmamma Marrimanu habitation at an estimated cost ₹88 lakh.
The government has directed the Satya Sai district administration to take up works and complete the road before the upcoming Jathara on Shivaratri 2025.
