The short answer
Thimmamma Marrimanu: what visitors should know first
A pleasant, easy day-trip stop for tree and nature lovers, mainly if you are heading toward Kadiri. Expect a short, shaded walk and a local pilgrimage atmosphere. Skip it during the Shivaratri festival unless you want the crowds.
History and context
The story behind Thimmamma Marrimanu
Wikipedia describes Thimmamma Marrimanu as a banyan tree, probably Ficus benghalensis, near Kadiri in what was Anantapur district. Its infobox lists the date seeded as 1434, and a cited news headline calls it a 550-year-old tree.
The tree was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989 as the largest tree specimen in the world. A large jatara is held at Shivaratri, when thousands come to worship the tree.
Useful facts
Thimmamma Marrimanu facts at a glance
- Location
- Near Kadiri, Sri Sathya Sai district
- Experience type
- Nature and local pilgrimage
- Known for
- Canopy of about 19,107 sq m (4.7 acres)
- Architect/Built
- Natural; seeded 1434 per Wikipedia infobox
- Time or schedule
- Shivaratri jatara draws large crowds
Why it matters
Why Thimmamma Marrimanu is worth your time
Wikipedia notes that the tree was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989 as the largest tree specimen in the world. Whatever you think of such records, the sheer scale of one organism that has become a grove is striking, and it is something quite different from forts and temples.
It also shows how local belief and nature mix in the district: the tree is both a natural curiosity and an object of worship, with a large festival each Shivaratri. For travellers who like trees, birds and shade, it is a calm interlude.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The canopy
A banyan whose branches cover about 4.7 acres.
- 02
Guinness record
Listed in 1989 as the largest tree specimen in the world.
- 03
Shivaratri jatara
A large annual festival is held at the tree.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
This is a day-trip stop rather than a destination. Wikipedia places the tree about 25 km from Kadiri, within Anantapur's old boundaries, and the district tourism page lists Gutibayalu, about 21 km southeast of Kadiri, as the location; use these as a rough guide and ask your driver for the exact route. It sits well away from Puttaparthi's pilgrim cluster.
The tree is a banyan whose branches have spread outward over centuries. Wikipedia gives its canopy area as 19,107 square metres, about 4.7 acres, and lists the date seeded as 1434, with a news report calling it about 550 years old. Walk slowly under the canopy, look at how roots and branches have merged, and enjoy the shade.
It is also a place of worship. A jatara is held at Shivaratri, when thousands come to pray to the tree. Respect devotional areas and avoid that date if you prefer quiet.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Ask your driver for the exact route from Kadiri
- Carry water and wear light shoes
- Avoid Shivaratri if you want quiet
- Check access and any fees locally
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Near Kadiri, Sri Sathya Sai district
- Time needed
- 45 to 90 minutes, plus travel
- Best time
- Winter months, early morning; Shivaratri is very crowded
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Shade is plentiful, but ground conditions and fencing may vary. Distances from the car park are short as far as the sources suggest; confirm locally. Carry water.
- Tickets and access
- The sources I opened do not describe fees or hours. Check locally, and expect crowds during the Shivaratri festival.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Thimmamma Marrimanu
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Shade is plentiful, but ground conditions and fencing may vary. Distances from the car park are short as far as the sources suggest; confirm locally. Carry water.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How big is the tree?
Wikipedia gives its canopy as 19,107 square metres, about 4.7 acres.
How old is it?
The Wikipedia infobox lists 1434 as the date seeded; a news report calls it about 550 years old.
Is it far from Puttaparthi?
The sources I opened give distances only from Kadiri, about 20 to 25 km. Ask your driver for the route from Puttaparthi.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
