The 400-year-old banyan tree in Kethohalli village releases happiness inducing chemicals early in the morning; it also boasts of a maze of 500 prop roots easy to get lost within.

Heard of a tree that releases a chemical in the air that has the power to make you feel good? Banyan trees are said to release serotonin early in the morning. This chemical, also found in the human brain, generates a feeling of well being, regulates our emotions.

Bangalore's own fountain of happiness is a 400-year-old banyan tree spread over a staggering three acres and standing on 500 prop roots. Barely 28 km from the city in the Kethohalli village is the country's fourth largest banyan tree. Walking under the canopy of the Dodda Alada Mara or the Big Banyan Tree is like walking into an ancient cave of stalactites and stalagmites of wood, minus the chill.

The main trunk of the tree fell off a long time ago, and the entire tree is supported by a maze of prop roots.These prop roots give an illusion that people are walking in and out of the tree. Magical in the day, eerie at nights.

This is the fourth largest Banyan tree in the country after the tree at Thimmamma Marimanu near Gooty in Andhra Pradesh, the banyan tree at Botanical Gardens of Kolkata and Adyar tree in Chennai. A favourite of picnickers and filmmakers, this banyan tree is like a mini universe with a temple and a park, birds and monkeys and the sunlight filtering through the entwined branches. "On an average, 200 to 300 people visit this tree each day, and during the holiday season the numbers swell to 1,500 per day," said Krishna, Assistant Director of Horticulture. However with footfall come vandalism and the graffiti etched on the prop roots are an eye-sore and an embarrassment. But the structure is not the only thing that will awe you.

Every year that tree plays host to a jatra that in the month of April and May devotees from 33 villages come together to offer their prayers and celebrate at the Muneshwara temple located next to the tree.

The sagely banyan tree has been revered by Indians for centuries. And there is a scientific reason behind this. A N Yellappa Reddy, former secretary, Department of Ecology and Environment said, "The tree has ability to trap lots of suspended particulate matter in the air. When the wind blows, the tree filters the air. In addition, the upward circles of the leaves facilitate better photosynthesis and release more oxygen compared to other trees in the night."

And as Reddy pointed out, thanks to the serotonin that the tree releases,it is the best way to beat the blues.

GET THERE
" From the city it will take you one and a half hours to reach the spot. Drive along
the Mysore Road; take a right turn at
Ramohalli cross. Keep going till you reach
the Banyan tree on your left.
" Entry is free, but if you are hungry, eat outside the park. Eatables strictly
prohibited in the park.

Source: TNN