Dodda Alada Mara, Ancient banyan tree near Ketohalli, Karnataka, India
Dodda Alada Mara is an ancient banyan tree located near the village of Ketohalli in Karnataka state. The crown spreads across an area of roughly 1.2 hectares and is supported by hundreds of aerial roots that descend like columns to the ground.
The tree has been growing at this location for more than four centuries, developing new connections to the ground over time. In 2000, it lost its main trunk but survived through the network of secondary trunks formed by the roots.
The name means "big banyan tree" in the local language, and the site serves as a gathering spot where families rest under the shade during weekends.
The area is enclosed with iron grilles, and stone benches offer places to rest. Access is free, and the site is maintained by state horticulture authorities.
A small temple stands at one end of the root network, marking the boundary of the tree. Visitors can walk beneath the intertwined branches, as if entering a natural forest.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
