User talk:Pranith vontela

Bakthula Marri literally translated to “devotees’ banyan tree” is an ancient and historical banyan tree spread over 5 acres (20,000 m2), located in Paidimadugu village of Korutla Mandal along the shores of the Godavari in the Karimnagar district of Telangana state, India.' History Stated to be about 500 years old, people believe that Goddess Mahalaxmi, whose temple is constructed under the huge tree, blesses devotees for their prosperity and well-being and hence the tree is called “Bakthula marri” (devotees’ banyan tree). Historians say that the idols of Ganesha and Nagini in the temple under the tree belong to the tenth century AD. Incidentally, a rivulet of the Godavari flows from east to west at this banyan tree temple, which is quite rare. It is believed that the devotees visiting the temple should take a holy dip in the rivulet to get rid of their sins. Ironically, there is a popular belief that people bitten by rats would be cured if they take a dip in the rivulet and have darshan of Goddess Durga.

Tourism The ancient and historical banyan tree spread over five acres of land in Paidimadugu village of Korutla mandal along the shores of the Godavari has come into the news during the World Tourism Week celebrations 2012. Now the emphasis is on declaring this huge tree as an important tourist destination in Karimnagar district. Stating that pilgrims arrive in large numbers to offer prayers to Goddess Durga on every Wednesday and Friday, the villagers added that they are drawn from Karimnagar district, Adilabad, Nizamabad and neighbouring Maharashtra too. As part of the ‘Tourism Week celebrations 2012’, Collector Smita Sabharwal, Nizamabad MP Madhu Yashki Goud, Korutla legislator K Vidyasagar Rao, Jagtial ASP Rama Rajeshwari, DRDA project director Shankaraiah and others visited the ancient banyan tree and offered prayers to Goddess Durga. Official plans to beautify the location by going for landscaping and fencing around the tree and provide other facilities for the visitors continue to remain on the drawing board. A most worrisome aspect is that the tree, the cynosure of all eyes, is withering due to lack of care. Those planning to have a look at the tree can take RTC buses to the village. Bus services are operated from Karimnagar, Jagtial, Vemulawada and other places. From the village, one would have to trek about two or three km to reach the banyan tree. Accessibility The road distance between Hyderabad to Korutla is 224 km The road distance between Nizamabad to Korutla is 77 km The road distance between Karimnagar to Korutla is 72 km

Reference Ancient banyan turns tourist draw - ANDHRA PRADESH - The Hindu. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/ancient-banyan-turns-tourist-draw/article3937237.ece