The 500-year-old banyan tree at Sakhibata. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, May 19: A 500-year-old banyan tree, mute witness to the times gone by, has finally been accorded tourist spot status.

The gigantic tree spread across 1.3 acres has about 600 trunks and sub-trunks. With the extraordinary tree at Sakhibata near Kendrapara town providing cool natural ambience, it has been attracting tourists throughout the year.

The state tourism and culture department has already identified Sakhibata as a tourist spot. Funds have been sanctioned for putting in place tourism infrastructure. A project has also been sanctioned to have road connectivity to the place. Besides, a tourist cottage is being built, said district tourist officer Bijoy Kumar Mohanty.

“The banyan tree that is standing tall at Sakhibata had withstood the devastating 1999 super cyclone. The cyclone had failed to cause much damage to it. From far, it looks like a forest full of trees. But in reality, the single tree with its majestic branches and trunks leave the visitors awe-struck,” said Mohanty.

A retired government official, Niranjan Sahu, 65, a native of Sakhibata, said: “The existence of the tree dates back to good old days. My grandfather had seen its existence. It is rich in history. Legend is that Lord Baldevjew was brought here when the Muslim feudatory rulers invaded and ravaged the temple in early 18th century.”

A small temple, which is over 200-year-old, is still intact at the spot. Local residents here worship a Hindu deity. The temple is also a reminder of the place’s historic importance, he said.

The local people organise religious fairs every year at Sakhibata. People from Kendrapara and adjoining district turn up in large numbers. The tourism department should promote and publicise the event to attract more footfalls, said another resident.

The tourism sector in Kendrapara is confined to visit to places such as Baldevjew temple, Bhitarkanika, Gahirmatha, Hukitola and lighthouse. There are many lesser-known places at Rajnagar, Aul and Derabish, which could attract tourists, said local tour operator Rahash Behari Mohanty.

“It is situated close to the Paradip-Daitary Expressway. Improved road connectivity and basic tourist infrastructure would provide the much-needed boost to the tourist inflow to Sakhibata,” said local resident Akshaya Pani.