Thimmamma Marrimanu is a single banyan tree in the dry interior of Andhra Pradesh that has spread so far across the ground that, from inside, it reads as a small forest rather than one plant. It sits in a quiet farming belt near Kadiri, a few hours from the better-known temple towns of Rayalaseema, and most visitors come away surprised that one tree can cover several acres.
Thimmamma Marrimanu, in Gutibayalu village, NP Kunta mandal, Sri Sathya Sai district (carved out of Anantapur district in 2022), Andhra Pradesh, is a Ficus benghalensis that Guinness World Records lists as the living tree with the largest canopy on Earth. Its merged crowns cover about 2.19 hectares (5.41 acres).
Key takeaways
- Guinness World Records lists Thimmamma Marrimanu as the tree with the largest canopy on a living tree, its crowns covering about 2.19 hectares (5.41 acres), with a record date of 2020.
- The tree stands in Gutibayalu village, NP Kunta mandal, Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh, about 26 km from Kadiri town and roughly 120 km from Anantapur city.
- The nearest airport is Kadapa (about 113 km); the usual railhead is Kadiri (about 26 km), from where you take a bus or cab to the site.
- Entry is open-air and several travel guides report no ticket; the busiest day is the Maha Shivaratri jatara, when thousands of pilgrims arrive (reconfirm fees and dates locally).
- November to February is the comfortable season; the Rayalaseema interior is hot and dry from March to June.
- The name comes from a local legend about a woman called Thimmamma, so it is a devotional site as much as a natural one, with a small temple beneath the branches.
About Thimmamma Marrimanu and quick facts
Thimmamma Marrimanu is a single banyan (Ficus benghalensis) whose aerial roots have grown down, rooted, and thickened into something like a grove of connected trunks. According to Guinness World Records, it holds the record for the largest canopy on a living tree, with combined crowns of about 2.19 hectares (5.41 acres) and a record date of 2020.
Figures for the canopy differ by source, which is normal for a tree that keeps spreading. Guinness gives 2.19 hectares; the Wikipedia entry cites 19,107 square metres (about 4.72 acres). The Better India reports the aerial roots have formed more than a thousand connected trunks, and travel guides commonly quote “about 1,100 roots.” Treat any single area or root count as an estimate, not a surveyed measurement.
The tree’s age is usually given as more than 550 years. Its Telugu name breaks down simply: “marrimanu” means banyan tree, and “Thimmamma” is the name from the site’s founding legend (below). A small temple to Thimmamma sits under the canopy, so the place functions as both a botanical landmark and a place of worship.
| Full name | Thimmamma Marrimanu (Timmamma Marrimanu) |
|---|---|
| What it is | Single banyan tree, Ficus benghalensis |
| Location | Gutibayalu village, NP Kunta mandal, Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh |
| Record | Guinness World Records “largest canopy on a living tree” — about 2.19 ha (5.41 acres), record date 2020 |
| Nearest town | Kadiri, about 26 km |
| Nearest airport | Kadapa, about 113 km |
| Time needed | 1–2 hours at the tree |
Best time to visit
The comfortable window is November to February, when the Rayalaseema interior is dry and mild. This is inland, rain-shadow Andhra Pradesh: March to June is hot, and shade under the canopy is welcome but the drive and walk around are still draining in peak summer. The southwest and retreating monsoons bring some rain between June and October, but this is not a heavy-rainfall belt.
The single busiest date is the Maha Shivaratri jatara (fair), held under and around the tree, when thousands of devotees arrive from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. That is worth timing toward if you want the atmosphere, or away from if you want quiet; Shivaratri falls in February or March depending on the year, so check the date before you plan.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Nov–Feb | Best weather; dry and mild. Maha Shivaratri jatara draws big crowds (Feb/Mar) |
| Summer | Mar–Jun | Hot and dry Rayalaseema heat; go early morning, carry water |
| Monsoon/post-monsoon | Jul–Oct | Some rain, greener fields; generally still workable |
How to reach Thimmamma Marrimanu
The practical route is to get to Kadiri town, then cover the last roughly 26 km to Gutibayalu by bus or cab. Kadiri, which now sits in Sri Sathya Sai district, is the nearest town with a railway station and regular road connections; the tree itself is in a farming hamlet without its own rail or air link.
By air: The nearest airport is Kadapa (CDP), about 113 km away, with limited UDAN-scheme services that change often — reconfirm current routes and days before you book. Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (about 186 km from the tree) has far more flights and is often the more reliable arrival point despite the longer drive. Puttaparthi’s Sri Sathya Sai Airport is close but has historically operated as a private/limited-use facility, so do not plan around it without checking.
By rail: Kadiri railway station is about 26 km from the tree. For more train choice, larger railheads such as Dharmavaram and Anantapur serve the wider region, after which you continue by road.
By road: Kadiri is roughly 120 km from Anantapur city and about 186 km from Bengaluru. In February 2025 the state administration approved about ₹88 lakh for a bitumen (BT) road to the Thimmamma Marrimanu habitation ahead of the Shivaratri jatara, so the final approach has been improving; a last stretch of village road is still best done by cab or bus rather than a low-clearance car in the wet.
| From | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kadiri town | ~26 km | Nearest town and railway station; bus/cab to site |
| Anantapur city | ~120 km | By road |
| Kadapa airport | ~113 km | Nearest airport, limited flights |
| Bengaluru | ~186 km | Best-connected airport; longer drive |
| Hyderabad | ~484 km | Long haul; not a day trip |
Things to see and do
The main thing to do is simply to walk the full spread of the tree, which takes longer than first-timers expect. The canopy is held up by a dense network of prop roots that have become trunk-like pillars, and the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department has added fencing and visitor pathways to protect the roots while letting you move through the shade.
- Walk the canopy: Follow the marked paths right to the outer edges to grasp the scale — this is the whole point of the visit. Allow 45–90 minutes.
- The Thimmamma temple: A small shrine to Thimmamma stands beneath the branches; many visitors come primarily to worship here. Dress modestly and remove footwear where indicated.
- Photography: Early morning and late afternoon light is kindest, and wide shots from the perimeter show the spread better than photos taken from inside.
- Maha Shivaratri jatara: If your trip lines up with it, the fair is the liveliest time, with pilgrims, stalls and rituals around the tree.
| Spot / activity | Time needed | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| The banyan canopy walk | 45–90 min | Stay on marked paths; do not climb the roots |
| Thimmamma temple | 15–30 min | Active shrine; dress modestly |
| Perimeter photography | 20–30 min | Best early morning / late afternoon |
A suggested day plan
Thimmamma Marrimanu works best as a half-day visit built around a base in Kadiri or combined with Rayalaseema temple towns. A standalone itinerary looks like this:
- Morning: Leave your Kadiri base early, drive about an hour to Gutibayalu, and reach the tree before the midday heat. Walk the full canopy and visit the shrine.
- Midday: Return to Kadiri for lunch; there are basic eateries in town rather than at the tree.
- Afternoon: Visit the Kadiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Kadiri town, or continue toward your onward destination.
If you are touring more widely, pair the tree with Horsley Hills (a small hill resort in the same district) or with Puttaparthi, the district headquarters and site of the Sathya Sai ashram.
Where to stay
There is no notable accommodation at the tree itself, so base yourself in Kadiri for the night, or in Puttaparthi or Anantapur if you want more choice. Options in this interior belt are modest; set expectations to clean-and-basic rather than resort-grade, and book ahead around Shivaratri. The bands below are indicative planning estimates — reconfirm live rates when you book.
| Type | Approx. per night | Where / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget lodges | ₹700–₹1,500 | Kadiri town; simple rooms, walk-in common |
| Mid-range hotels | ₹1,500–₹3,500 | Kadiri, Puttaparthi or Anantapur; AC rooms |
| Higher-end / resort | ₹3,500+ | Puttaparthi and Horsley Hills have the better options |
Puttaparthi also has ashram accommodation tied to the Sathya Sai Baba trust, which is a separate booking process; check availability directly if that suits you.
Food to try
Eat in Kadiri or Puttaparthi rather than at the tree, where options are limited to roadside stalls. This is Rayalaseema, so the local food leans spicy and robust. Dishes worth trying include ragi sangati (a stiff millet-and-rice ball eaten with gravy), natu kodi pulusu (country-chicken curry), and Andhra bhojanam (a rice thali with multiple spicy sides and pickle). Vegetarians are well served, as Puttaparthi in particular caters to pilgrims. Carry your own water and snacks for the time at the tree itself, as there is little on-site.
Budget breakdown
A simple two-day trip from a South Indian city, built around one night near the tree, is inexpensive by Indian travel standards. The table below is a planning estimate for one person on a mid-range, shared-cab basis — reconfirm all figures, as fares and tariffs change.
| Item | Approx. cost | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (1 night) | ₹1,000–₹2,000 | Budget/mid-range room, shared |
| Local transport | ₹1,500–₹3,000 | Cab/bus from Kadiri and around, shared |
| Food | ₹500–₹900 | Local eateries, 2 days |
| Entry / misc | ₹0–₹300 | Open-air site; buffer for donations/parking |
| Total | ₹3,000–₹6,200 | Excludes long-distance train/flight to the region |
Permits, photography and rules
No special permit is required to visit Thimmamma Marrimanu — it is an open, public site, and no Inner Line Permit or protected-area clearance applies here. The main rules are conservation ones: stay on the marked paths, do not climb or cut the aerial roots, and do not carve names or tie objects onto the tree. The Forest Department’s fencing and pathways exist precisely to keep foot traffic off the root system.
Because the site includes an active temple, dress modestly and follow footwear instructions near the shrine. Carry out your litter; this is a living tree and a worship site, not a picnic ground. For any drone photography, note that Indian drone rules restrict flying near crowds and designated zones — check the DGCA Digital Sky rules and get local permission before you fly.
Practical tips
- Cash and connectivity: Carry some cash; UPI works in towns but the village and stalls may be patchy. Draw money and fuel up in Kadiri.
- Heat and water: This is a hot, dry belt most of the year. Visit early, wear a hat, and carry water — there is little shade on the approach and few shops at the site.
- Health: The nearest hospitals are in Kadiri; for anything serious, Anantapur and the larger towns have bigger facilities. Carry basic medicines.
- Transport planning: Public buses from Kadiri to Gutibayalu run but can be infrequent; a hired cab gives you control over timing, especially in summer.
- Solo and women travellers: The site is a mainstream pilgrimage spot and generally straightforward in daylight; as anywhere, plan to be back in town before dark and keep a return ride arranged.
- Combine your trip: Because the tree is a short visit, most people pair it with Kadiri’s temple, Puttaparthi, or Horsley Hills to make the drive worthwhile.
Nearby places
The tree sits in a part of Andhra Pradesh better known for temples and a small hill resort, so it pairs naturally with other Rayalaseema stops. For wider trip planning across the state, see our guides to Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, though both are a long way east of here.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Kadiri town | ~26 km | Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple; base town |
| Puttaparthi | ~90–100 km (via road) | Sathya Sai ashram; district headquarters |
| Horsley Hills | ~70 km | Small hill resort, cooler air, viewpoints |
| Anantapur city | ~120 km | Regional hub, rail and road links |
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Thimmamma Marrimanu located?
Thimmamma Marrimanu is in Gutibayalu village, NP Kunta mandal, Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh. The district was carved out of the former Anantapur district in 2022. The tree is about 26 km from Kadiri town, roughly 120 km from Anantapur city and about 113 km from Kadapa, its nearest airport.
Why is Thimmamma Marrimanu famous?
Thimmamma Marrimanu is famous because Guinness World Records lists it as the tree with the largest canopy on a living tree, its merged crowns covering about 2.19 hectares (5.41 acres), with a record date of 2020. A single banyan has spread, through rooting aerial roots, into what looks like a small forest of connected trunks.
Is there an entry fee for Thimmamma Marrimanu?
Thimmamma Marrimanu is an open-air site, and several travel guides report that entry is free, though there may be small charges for parking or donations at the temple. Because figures change and are not always officially published, reconfirm any fee locally before you travel, especially around the Maha Shivaratri jatara.
What is the best time to visit Thimmamma Marrimanu?
The best time to visit is November to February, when this dry interior belt of Andhra Pradesh is mild. March to June is hot, so go early in the morning and carry water. If you want the festival atmosphere, time your trip to the Maha Shivaratri jatara, but expect large crowds.
How do I reach Thimmamma Marrimanu from Bengaluru or Hyderabad?
From Bengaluru, the tree is about 186 km by road, usually the most reliable approach given the city’s flight and train links. From Hyderabad it is roughly 484 km, a long drive rather than a day trip. Either way, most people route through Kadiri, about 26 km away, and take a bus or cab for the final stretch.
How old is Thimmamma Marrimanu and how big is it?
Thimmamma Marrimanu is usually said to be more than 550 years old. Guinness World Records gives its canopy as about 2.19 hectares (5.41 acres); other sources cite 19,107 square metres and around 1,100 rooted prop-trunks. Exact figures vary by source and keep changing as the tree grows, so treat them as estimates.
Last updated and sources
Go if you want to see the single most remarkable tree in India, ideally between November and February and paired with Kadiri or Puttaparthi. Pilgrims will also want to time their visit toward the Maha Shivaratri jatara.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Guinness World Records — largest canopy on a living tree; Wikipedia — Thimmamma Marrimanu; Wikipedia — Sri Sathya Sai district; The Better India — world’s largest banyan tree; Deccan Chronicle — BT road to Thimmamma banyan (Feb 2025); Trawell — Thimmamma Marrimanu distances. Accessed October 2026.
