Magnificent PILLALAMARRI: Fast falling into a pitiful state?

Four kilometers from Mahbubnagar town, sprawling an area of about three acres stands the majestic old Pillalamarri – the famous 700-year-old banyan tree which is both a tourist attraction and a place of pilgrimage. 

Described once as “a large green umbrella under which at least a thousand people can easily take shelter” (The Hindu, August 13, 2003), Pillalamarri is today losing its splendour. 

“More than half of the tree has been cut down,” says Shiv Kumar G, a ticket collector at the site. “One of the main reasons for this is that the public climb the branches and cause damage.” 

Along similar lines, local shopkeeper Nandu says, “There is a lot of difference in the way the tree used to be in the past and how it is now. Ten years ago, the tree was huge and one could see its giant sprawl from far away. But now, in order to make it more comfortable for visitors, they laid cement flooring that ruined the beauty of the banyan tree”. 

The main trunk of Pillalamarri is hard to locate because the entire foliage comprises many other banyan trees which grew close together, like “children” of the original plant. This is how the place got its name – “pillalu” meane children and “marri” means banyan tree. Beneath the tree lies the tomb of a Muslim saint, and many devotees frequent the place. There is also a small zoo, an aquarium, and an archaeological museum beside the site, and during the monsoon, one can also go boating. 

“Twenty years ago, there were a lot of people visiting the place,” says Shankar, a watchman who has been working here for twenty three years. “They would consider the trip here as a mini pilgrimage and spend the whole day with family. The number of visitors has gone down in recent times,” he adds. Speaking further about the zoo he says, “There are at present only 200 animals, including deer, fox, rabbits, peacocks and others. A lot were handed over to the animal and zoo welfare department.”

Nonetheless, this historic site continues to attract large numbers of visitors, especially school children. On week days, the numbers range from 200-300, and this increases to 500-600 on weekends and holidays. 

“I know this is one of the largest banyan trees in the world but it is not as grand as I’d expected.” said Sudarshan Reddy, a first-time visitor to Pillalamarri. This sense of disappointment is shared by old-timer Vijay Nandula who has been fond of the place for many years. “What I remember of this tree as a child and what I see today are two different things. It is sad to see the beauty of the tree being lost,” he says. One can’t help but feel that the Pillalamarri remains a symbol of the transformations in its district. Hopefully the people here will find a way to rejuvenate this monumental tree, and a way to balance its welfare and development.

By Amoga Laxmi Sukka

Reported in March 2013 during my educational visit to Mehbubnagar from University of Hyderabad