This 700-Year-Old Banyan Tree Has Become Unexpected Highlight Of Miss World 2025

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Hosting the Miss World 2025 pageant, Telangana is ready to dazzle the world with its cultural and natural jewels. Among these, a venerable banyan tree, known locally as 'Pillalamarri,' stands out, embodying the state's rich heritage.

Following their visit to this natural marvel, the contestants also toured the AIG hospital on Friday, 16 May 2025.

The visit to the Banyan tree at Pillalamarri and the AIG hospital is part of a broader itinerary that includes several of Telangana's most celebrated tourist destinations. Let us know more about this ecological marvel.

Origin And Significance

Pillalamarri is located around 4 kilometres from Mahabubnagar town and approximately 100 kilometres from Hyderabad, making it a popular weekend destination for locals and tourists alike.

Spread over three acres, this enormous banyan (Ficus benghalensis) looks more like a small forest than a single tree. Its aerial roots have dropped and formed new trunks over the centuries, creating an expansive canopy that feels like stepping into nature's cathedral.

In Telugu, "Pillalu" means children, and "marri" means banyan tree. Legend says the name symbolizes the "children of the banyan," referring to the tree's ever-growing aerial roots that form new trunks-almost like offspring. Others associate the name with the Sufi saint Peerla, giving rise to the alternate name Peerlamarri.

Historical And Cultural Roots

Local folklore and archaeological evidence suggest that Pillalamarri has been a sacred site for centuries. It is believed that Sufi saints meditated under its shade, and some stories suggest ancient sages chose the spot for spiritual retreats. Over time, the tree became associated with peace, mysticism, and healing energy.

The area surrounding Pillalamarri was once dotted with small temples and shrines. Though many structures have weathered away, remnants still exist-silent witnesses to a past where people lived in deep harmony with nature.

An Ecological Marvel

Pillalamarri isn't just old-it's alive in every sense. The tree's central trunk may have lost its strength over time, but the aerial roots that have grown into secondary trunks continue to keep the ecosystem thriving.

The massive canopy provides shelter to hundreds of bird species, insects, and small mammals. The shade beneath it is often described as cooler and more soothing than air-conditioned rooms-even in Telangana's intense summer heat.

Recognized as one of the oldest and largest banyan trees in India, Pillalamarri is a registered heritage site under the Telangana state government and protected for conservation.

Challenges To Survival

In recent years, Pillalamarri has faced serious threats due to environmental changes and human interference. In 2018, the tree made headlines when it was attacked by termite infestation, which caused sections of it to decay rapidly. The district authorities quickly stepped in with a restoration and preservation plan.

To combat the infestation, the tree was quarantined-visitors were not allowed to touch it, and special bio-treatment was administered to prevent further decay. Protective structures were set up to reduce physical stress on the older roots and trunks. While it's recovering, this event served as a wake-up call about the fragility of even the mightiest living beings.

Their efforts bore fruit, and by 2024, Pillalamarri stood rejuvenated, its canopy lush and expansive once again. The authorities didn't stop at healing the tree; they enhanced the site with amenities including a children's park, a zoo, an aquarium, and an archaeological museum, alongside a boating facility.