Big Banyan Tree
Big Banyan Tree
3.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Big Banyan Tree and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,059 within 5 kms
Attractions
204 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
3.5
283 reviews
Excellent
54
Very good
119
Average
85
Poor
18
Terrible
7
onamigration
Toronto, Canada843 contributions
Feb 2019
The Big Banyan tree is gigantic. Locally it is known as Dodda Aalada Mara. It is an amazing place to hang around and spend half a day. As per the records it is 400 years old.It is located in the village of Kethohalli in the Bangalore Urban district of Karnataka, India. I would suggest that you choose to drive out during the morning, so tat you can enjoy a heart breakfast on the way and then spend couple of hours before it get’s all crowed or hot during the later part of the day.
This single Banyan tree covers over 3 across of area and is the home for various species of birds and several hundreds of macaques. There is Lord Munisvara temple inside the premises. Several shops selling incense sticks, oil lamp(diya/deepam) and flowers have also popped near the location.
You can take buses from Bangalore or can travel in your own private vehicle. This makes up an interesting picnic spot. You can easily spend 2-3 hours at this place. There are quite a few eateries near the site, where you can get South Indian food like dosa, Idli, Vada, meals etc. Also, there are plenty of shops selling fast food, chips and aerated drinks.This is quite a famous place, several movies have been shot at this location.
Do take care of your belongings since the macaques which inhabit the place are in the habit of grabbing your stuffs and running away with it. Do not feed the monkeys. We humans are a funny lot, first we feed the monkeys and make them habituated with our offerings and then complain about them being a menace. Sheesh !!!
The tree is looked after the Horticulture department of Karnataka and has been well maintained for several years, even after its main trunk had rotted away.
Kindly remember that is a 400 old heritage and defacing it by craving names and initials on its trunk will in no way ensure that either you or your love story will survive for 400 years. Also, do not litter the place ,there are several well-places dustbins wherein you can dump your garbage.
Overall, a good place to hangout , sit in peace and ruminate under the shade of the Big Banyan Tree.
This single Banyan tree covers over 3 across of area and is the home for various species of birds and several hundreds of macaques. There is Lord Munisvara temple inside the premises. Several shops selling incense sticks, oil lamp(diya/deepam) and flowers have also popped near the location.
You can take buses from Bangalore or can travel in your own private vehicle. This makes up an interesting picnic spot. You can easily spend 2-3 hours at this place. There are quite a few eateries near the site, where you can get South Indian food like dosa, Idli, Vada, meals etc. Also, there are plenty of shops selling fast food, chips and aerated drinks.This is quite a famous place, several movies have been shot at this location.
Do take care of your belongings since the macaques which inhabit the place are in the habit of grabbing your stuffs and running away with it. Do not feed the monkeys. We humans are a funny lot, first we feed the monkeys and make them habituated with our offerings and then complain about them being a menace. Sheesh !!!
The tree is looked after the Horticulture department of Karnataka and has been well maintained for several years, even after its main trunk had rotted away.
Kindly remember that is a 400 old heritage and defacing it by craving names and initials on its trunk will in no way ensure that either you or your love story will survive for 400 years. Also, do not litter the place ,there are several well-places dustbins wherein you can dump your garbage.
Overall, a good place to hangout , sit in peace and ruminate under the shade of the Big Banyan Tree.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ganga s
Bengaluru, India95 contributions
June 2022
1. Ramohalli, bangalore side Picnic spot
2. Kengeri metro is nearby, from there u need to take bus 227 till ramohalii bus stop
3. Dodda Alladha Mara its called
4. You have rest rooms
5. Timings from 9 am to 5:00 pm close.
6. Veg hotels are there to eat.
7. Can reach by 2 wheeler, auto, car
2. Kengeri metro is nearby, from there u need to take bus 227 till ramohalii bus stop
3. Dodda Alladha Mara its called
4. You have rest rooms
5. Timings from 9 am to 5:00 pm close.
6. Veg hotels are there to eat.
7. Can reach by 2 wheeler, auto, car
Written 1 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunil W
Bengaluru, India298 contributions
Feb 2022
Recently visited Big Banyan Tree near Bengaluru.
The place was closed for some flimsy reasons.
We saw it from outside and there is nothing special to write about the place. It is not kept clean as well.
Though it is a short distance of 24 kms. from south Bengaluru, not worth visiting
The place was closed for some flimsy reasons.
We saw it from outside and there is nothing special to write about the place. It is not kept clean as well.
Though it is a short distance of 24 kms. from south Bengaluru, not worth visiting
Written 15 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Escape25189474798
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Couples
Not good at all. Now they have created fencing all around. Very small area is accessible. 4-5’ pathway created to walk around. You can’t even explore 50% area. No space to seat.
Written 19 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Profvns
Bengaluru, India545 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
The Dodda Alada Mara means a big Banyan tree. It is (a giant 400 year old Banyan tree or Ficus bengalensis), located in the village of Kethohalli/Ramohalli in the Bangalore Urban district in Karnataka. This single plant covers 3 acres (12,000 m2) and is one of the largest of its kind. It has a crown circumference of more than 250 meters and has more than a thousand aerial roots. In the 2000s, the main root of the tree succumbed to natural disease, and now it gives the impression of there being many different trees.
The Big Banyan Tree is positioned at a distance of 28 km from Bangalore towards Mysore Road. City buses are available from Majestic, Kengeri, K R (city) market to the stop at Dodda Alada Mara which is close to the tree. You may see several youths visiting on hired taxis, autos, private vehicles and on bicycles too. Banyan tree is a holy tree for Hindus. They worship it as the place of Lord Muneshwara, who is a living spirit helping the human beings having faith in Him. Thus it is considered as the abode of Lord Muneshwara. For that matter Lord Muruga (Subrahmanya) is also considered as Maha Muni. This is names as Ficus benghalensis and is the National tree of India.
There is a fenced boundary around the tree. Benches are provided for people to sit and relax. This is a fine picnic spot. A restaurant at the spot offers food and water to visitors.
There are other Banyan trees in India apart from the one we have just now seen. They are regarded as important or specific by the historical, national, locational, natural or mythological background.
In Kolkata there is one Banyan tree in the botanical garden with a crown circumference of over 330 meters.
There is another giant Banyan tree of 450-yearold at Adyar in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in the premises of the Theosophical Society of India. It is locally known as Adyar aala maram. Its aerial roots cover an area of about 60,000 sq m
Yet another banyan tree said to be of 800 year old, spread over three acres of land, called Pillalamarri, Peerlamarri or Peerla marri at Mahabubnagar in Andhra Pradesh. There are many banyan trees which are grown in its proximity, who look as if they are the children of the main tree.
The world's largest banyan tree ‘Thimmamma Marrimanu’ which is also listed in the Guinness World Records of 1989. This tree is situated at a distance of about 35 km from Kadri. Kadiri is famous for its historical temple of Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy (my family deity) in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. You will be wonderstruck as soon as you enter its precincts. You will have joyous moments under this holy tree.
The Big Banyan Tree is positioned at a distance of 28 km from Bangalore towards Mysore Road. City buses are available from Majestic, Kengeri, K R (city) market to the stop at Dodda Alada Mara which is close to the tree. You may see several youths visiting on hired taxis, autos, private vehicles and on bicycles too. Banyan tree is a holy tree for Hindus. They worship it as the place of Lord Muneshwara, who is a living spirit helping the human beings having faith in Him. Thus it is considered as the abode of Lord Muneshwara. For that matter Lord Muruga (Subrahmanya) is also considered as Maha Muni. This is names as Ficus benghalensis and is the National tree of India.
There is a fenced boundary around the tree. Benches are provided for people to sit and relax. This is a fine picnic spot. A restaurant at the spot offers food and water to visitors.
There are other Banyan trees in India apart from the one we have just now seen. They are regarded as important or specific by the historical, national, locational, natural or mythological background.
In Kolkata there is one Banyan tree in the botanical garden with a crown circumference of over 330 meters.
There is another giant Banyan tree of 450-yearold at Adyar in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in the premises of the Theosophical Society of India. It is locally known as Adyar aala maram. Its aerial roots cover an area of about 60,000 sq m
Yet another banyan tree said to be of 800 year old, spread over three acres of land, called Pillalamarri, Peerlamarri or Peerla marri at Mahabubnagar in Andhra Pradesh. There are many banyan trees which are grown in its proximity, who look as if they are the children of the main tree.
The world's largest banyan tree ‘Thimmamma Marrimanu’ which is also listed in the Guinness World Records of 1989. This tree is situated at a distance of about 35 km from Kadri. Kadiri is famous for its historical temple of Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy (my family deity) in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. You will be wonderstruck as soon as you enter its precincts. You will have joyous moments under this holy tree.
Written 29 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nitinj_n
Bangalore, India54 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
It is nice place to relax and it can be visited with family or friends. You can simply go , sit there and chat....There are few local restaurent around it, and few place to get snacks .
Written 10 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashmita12
185 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
A huge, very old banyan tree.. Nice place to visit once, click a few pics and marvel at this tree! Many people visit this place with family to have picnic. But yes, nothing too great..
Written 8 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KartikLak
Bengaluru, India69 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
Its a nice place. The banyan tree has a vast expanse which shadows the whole garden. I have been there twice on cycle but this was never the destination. It was more of a pitstop. You can relax in the cool breeze for sometime but apart from that there is nothing much to do here. The locality nearby is also more like bangalore rural and it isn't a place worth going to dedicatedly.
Written 23 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Babita_Anup
Palatine, IL196 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
I had Google this place lot of time, and this was at my list before i left bangalore. Finally after more than 1.5 hour from Bangalore, we reached this place. Far from city but could see many locals and tourist enjoying there time at this place. It was very hot ride but as we reached the place, the tree made the whole surrounding cool. Felt bad to see many branches were broken and even the main tree is already dead. But still the people have tried to save its trunk as much as possible. It a nice pace for a dry picnic. There a temple at the center as well. Overall i enjoyed my ride and the place.
Written 14 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nipun Kumar Jami
New Delhi, India61 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
Its one of the oldest banyan tree in india, the oldest being in andhra. There is no point travelling that far just for this until and unless you were on a mission to check this out. I cycled my way to this place so it wasnt much of a deal for me. You can just spend an hour sitting under that fairly large tree and spend some quality time with your kids or family. Not many tourist people checkout this place other than nearby locals.
Written 31 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes I think you could do it , but as I said , the tree is fenced off , to avoid vandals writing their names on the tree . You can take photos from outside only , unless you get a permission from local wardens or managers
Written 21 January 2018
Its on Mysore road, between NICE road and WonderLa. so you can decide accordingly.
Written 19 January 2017
Is the place open 24/7? Would it be safe to visit the place at night?
Written 22 December 2016
No, it closes at 6pm. This place is little isolated, not advised to visit at night.
Written 22 December 2016
I have a pug so was wondering, if this a pet friendly spot. Would be helpful if I get a quick reply as I'm planning to go in a few hours.
Written 1 January 2015
Showing results 1-6 of 6
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing