Biking to the Big Banyan

MaaNi, my friend, had suggested going biking a few days back. It had been more than a couple of months since our last trek to KalavarahaLLi. Since then, Shetty, one of the driving forces for our bike trips had flown to Canada, and it was just me and MaaNi from the original gang, that were still in Bangalore.

MaaNi called at 10 am with the plan to bike to the Big Banyan tree in RamohaLLi, about 18 km from Bangalore, on the road to Mysore. I dint think twice. Having company to bike was a reason enough, infact! And no harm in seeing the place, i decided.

An hour and half later, we left from MaaNi's place, and met up with couple of his friends - Vinay and Pradeep near Rajarajeshwari Nagar on Mysore Road. Riding onwards, we took a right turn next to Sri Rajajeshwari Dental College, beyond Kengeri. The road from here to the Big Banyan was under construction and a torture both to the bikes and the riders. Thankfully, it lasted only about 3 km, and another 6 km straight ahead on the road, we reached the Big Banyan - doDDa Alada mara.

The information board at the entrance said that the tree was around 400 years old and spread over 3-4 acres. I ain't too good at such large-scale measurements, based on mere observation, but I am positive that the area was under 2 acres - this I surmised, coz my high school playground in Manipal which housed a big football ground, 2 basketball courts and 4 volleyball courts, I knew was 3 acres large. It was just about a decent place for half-a-day's picnic for families. Nothing too great, I personally felt. Clicked some snaps, lie down on the grass and chatted for an hour and started back at around 2 pm.

On the way back, took the route from the other side, through MaagaDi road. The road was very nice, and worth the extra km we had to ride. Had a late lunch at 3 pm in one of the restaurants on the way, and got back at about 4 30 pm, covering 70 km in the day. Short and mildly-sweet bike trip for the weekend! :-)