Nallur, Holding On To A Forgotten Past

By Meera

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In the past, the sacred groves in India were a natural sanctuary for trees where none could fell them or even kill the precious wildlife abounding here. It was a divine abode where precious trees were
worshiped and protected.

Fallen trees and their new prodigies

As one leaves Bengaluru and crosses the international airport, take the road straight ahead (NH-648) to Hoskote. Then take a right turn to reach the Nallur Tamarind Grove situated in Devanahalli taluk.

The grove is said to have taken firm roots during the reign of Chola dynasty. It is believed that tamarind trees were planted during Rajendra Chola's time.

Every tree with its unique look shaped by
centuries of effects on them

With Lantana bushes and other alien and exotic weeds over running the grove, it s pretty difficult to go around. But the unique trees with its Martian look and the trees with its props and sucker roots
stretching forward and moving underground makes for an unbelievable sight. If some trees have withered away and become hollow or struck by lightening, some have regenerated with 3-5 new trees next to the fossilized ones.

Gnarled and gnomish and bent with age today, the trees in Nallur Grove have survived for centuries. It has withstood the vagaries of weather, human invasions, conquests and ravages of time. Hailing from both the Chola and Hoysala periods, 300 trees have stood the test of time.

A walk through the grove with Muniraju, the guard

at the heritage site.

This is a place that evokes of timelessness and many interesting tales from the past. Each season, each of these trees still yield rich, sweet and sour fruits that are auctioned by the local authorities which is used for paying the meager salary of a lone guard.

Muniraju explaining about the
Heritage of the tree.

Muniraju, the Biodiversity Heritage Site Guard, is the sole protector of this Grove  and proudly explains the history. Tree No : 155 takes the cake and has been dated as 410 years old. While others spread across an area of 53 acres with the National Highway dividing the grove into two bits, are between the age of 200-300 years.

Despite being a National Biodiversity Heritage Site,  the Grove hardly attracts visitors.

Chennakeshava Temple in ruins sits
hidden in the grove.

The carvings still are impressive enough
and make an impact.

Nestled amid the grove is a Chennakeshava Temple in ruins but fortunately, a conservation group is reviving it. The temple with its unique carvings and Hoysala motifs is an added attraction. The lyrical and fluid lines of various carvings in different poses are mesmerizing and still intact.

HOW TO REACH THERE

The ancient sacred grove is just seven kilometers from Devanahalli town on the NH-648 and more than 45 kilometers from Bengaluru City.

Location map: