The World’s Biggest Banyan Tree: Thimmamma Marrimanu, the great banyan at Gootybailu near Kadiri in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.According to Bar-Ness, Thimmamma Marrimanu ranks first in canopy cover (19,107 square metres). With a canopy area of 17,520 sq m, Kabir Vad is the second largest banyan tree. THE dusty town of Kadiri in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh is just a few hours’ drive from Bangalore. The hub of the local economy, it is also famous for being the town closest to Thimmamma Marrimanu, which is often described as the world’s biggest banyan tree. The fame of the tree, however, has not travelled far. Compared with better-known banyans across India, this grand example of nature’s majesty is relatively obscure. Several giant banyans (Ficus benghalensis) in India have aroused curiosity historically. There is something in the soil and climate of the subcontinent that provides the right mix for these giant trees to flourish; it is no wonder that the banyan is named the national tree of India.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 15:45:23 +0000