Located just 4 km west of Mahabubnagar City in Telangana, the Pillalamarri which literally translates to “Children’s Banyan” is one of India’s largest, oldest and most sprawling banyan tree systems. Seeded in the early 13th century CE, this Ficus benghalensis has witnessed more than 700 years of history and continues to fascinate visitors with its vast canopy and network of aerial roots.
Today, Pillalamarri’s crown covers roughly 4 acres, with its extreme east-west measuring about 405ft and north-south about 408ft. The canopy has a total circumference of 1,263ft, making it one of the largest banyan trees in Asia. Initially the tree consisted of a single central trunk encircled by countless aerial roots. Over the years these roots grew deep into the soil, thickened and developed into their own trunks, creating an intricate web of interlinked stems.
Within this tree system lie the tombs of two Sufi saints, Jamal Hussain and Kamal Hussain. While some believe the tombs lie directly beneath the tree, they are actually located a short away, accessible through a separate entrance to the shrine. Their presence nearby adds a spiritual dimension to the site. Additionally, the 16th century Rajarajeswara Temple was relocated here from Erladinne in 1981 to preserve it from being submerged during the construction of the Srisailam reservoir.
Despite its resilience over seven centuries, the Pillalamarri banyan tree is now under serious ecological stress due to a combination of natural and human related factors. The tree faces multiple threats, including termite infestations, water scarcity, soil compaction due to increasing root traffic, mechanical stress on heavy branches and natural aging.
The Telangana Government has undertaken several conservation initiatives including treating termite infestations with eco-friendly pesticides, implementing soil trenching to improve root aeration, installing metal and concrete supports to prevent branch collapse, restricting visitor movement beneath the canopy to reduce soil compaction and continuously monitoring the tree’s health.
In a testament to its enduring resilience, the Pillalamarri banyan tree is set to host a special visit from the Miss World 2025 contestants. As part of their cultural tour in Telangana, the contestants will witness this living heritage site bringing international attention to its ecological and cultural significance.
The article is written by Kanishka Yadav, a student of IIT Hyderabad, who’s now interning with Deccan Chronicle.
