Baobab Tree (Mannar)

Baobab Tree

The famous Baobab tree is situated in Mannar in Sri Lanka. This is believed to be one of the oldest and largest trees in Sri Lanka. It is stated that the Arab traders took the initiative in planting this huge tree which has a specials resemblance up to today.

About the Baobab Tree in Mannar

The Baobab tree is believed to be about 700 years old. It has a circumference of 20 meters and this is sometimes named as the “Upside down tree”. The reason behind this is that its branches look like roots. The villagers in the area call it the Ali gaha which means a huge tree in Sinhala. This is mainly because its bark is like that of the skin of an elephant.

History of the Baobab Tree

The Baobab tree is believed to have been built by the Arabian sailors namely Asanga and Nishantha who visited the island. This is dated back to 1477. Baobab trees are found in clusters mostly in Mannar. There are 40 Baobab trees in Sri Lanka out of which 34 are in Mannar. This is quite a rare and unique tree thus making it a protected tree in Sri Lanka.

It is situated in Grama Niladhari Division of Mannar which now makes it an archeological protected monument.

How to Reaching the Baobab Tree

From Colombo

Follow McCallum Road. Follow Colombo – Katunayake Expressway. Follow Mannar Rd and South-Coast Road. Follow Medawachchiya-Talaimannar Hwy to Pallimunai Road in Mannar.

Turn left at Vehicle Owners Association of Private rental Mannar District onto Pallimunai Road.

From Mannar

Head southeast on St Sebastian Road. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Medawachchiya-Talaimannar Highway. Turn left at Vehicle Owners Association of Private rental Mannar District onto Pallimunai Road.