Renowned environmentalist and Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka, celebrated worldwide for planting and nurturing 385 banyan trees, passed away at the age of 114 on Friday at a private hospital in Bengaluru. According to family sources, she had been unwell for some time and had been undergoing treatment for age-related complications.
Despite multiple medical interventions in recent years, including hip surgery, angioplasty, and treatment for respiratory distress, the centenarian did not respond to treatment in her final hours. Born on June 30, 1911, in Karnataka, Thimmakka rose from a life of hardship to become a global symbol of grassroots environmental conservation, inspiring generations with her extraordinary dedication to nature.
Key Takeaways on the Life and Legacy of Saalumarada Thimmakka
• Saalumarada Thimmakka’s death at 114 marks the end of a legendary environmental journey rooted in resilience and love for nature.
• Known for planting 385 banyan trees, she became a global symbol of grassroots environmentalism in Karnataka.
• Searches for “saalumarada thimmakka still alive” had long reflected the curiosity surrounding her extraordinary longevity; now, her passing confirms the end of an era.
• Honoured with the Padma Shri in 2019, she also received the National Citizen Award (1995), Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award (1997), and Nadoja Award (2010).
• Her life sparked enormous public interest in keywords like salumarada thimmakka tree, salu marada thimmakka, salumarada timmakka, saalu marada, and salu marada thimakka death, all representing her storied environmental work.
• Leaders including Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, and LoP R. Ashoka paid heartfelt tributes acknowledging her national significance.
A Journey from Personal Pain to Environmental Triumph
Born in Gubbi taluk of Tumakuru district, Saalumarada Thimmakka’s early life was marked by hardship and emotional struggle. Despite 25 years of marriage, she could not conceive, a grief that affected both her and her husband deeply. In an interview to DH, she recalled how she tried to console her husband and proposed that they channel their love into planting trees and nurturing them as their own children.
This personal turning point became the foundation of India’s most inspiring environmental stories. Along a 4.5-kilometre stretch between Hulikal and Kudur in Ramanagara district, Thimmakka and her husband planted and nurtured 385 banyan trees. These saplings, grown with devotion and protected with handmade fences and regular watering, later formed a majestic green canopy that brought her national fame.
How “Saalumarada” Became Her Identity
The name “Saalumarada,” meaning “row of trees” in Kannada, was bestowed upon her by the local community in recognition of her extraordinary work. Over time, the world came to know her through various spellings, Saalumarada Thimmakka, Salumarada Thimmakka, Salu Marada Thimmakka, Salumarada Thimakka, and Salumarada Timmakka all referring to the same woman whose green legacy remains unparalleled.
Her connection with the trees was so deep that she often referred to them as her children. For many environmentalists, the 385 banyan trees stand as a living tribute to a woman who proved that ecological change can begin with a single act of love.
A Lifetime of Recognition and Global Respect
Over her long life, Thimmakka received widespread recognition for her environmental service. Among her many honours were:
• Padma Shri (2019)
• Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award (1997)
• National Citizen Award (1995)
• Nadoja Award by Hampi University (2010)
Her name became synonymous with sustainable living and grassroots conservation. She was widely celebrated in national and international discussions on environmental protection. For years, people curious about her longevity would search for terms like saalumarada thimmakka age and saalumarada thimmakka still alive, a testament to her iconic status.
Her Final Days: A Battle Against Age-Related Illness
In recent years, Thimmakka had been hospitalized multiple times due to health complications triggered by advanced age. She had previously undergone hip surgery and even angioplasty. According to those close to the family, she had been receiving treatment for respiratory issues for two days before her passing but did not respond to medical care.
Despite her fragile condition, her spirit remained a source of inspiration for environmentalists and policymakers across Karnataka.
Nationwide Tributes from Political Leaders
Following her demise, leaders from across the political spectrum expressed grief and admiration for her life’s work.
- Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he was deeply saddened by the passing of “Vrikshamate” Thimmakka, adding that she had planted thousands of trees and nurtured them like her own children. He stated that although she is no more, her love for nature has made her immortal.
- Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka described her death as a national loss and urged people to pay tribute by following her example of protecting and nurturing the environment.
- Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar called her an example for the world and praised her lifelong dedication to ecological service.
- Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre highlighted how her contributions made Karnataka proud and strengthened the state’s environmental consciousness.
Saalumarada Thimmakka : A Legacy That Lives Through the Trees She Planted
The passing of Saalumarada Thimmakka marks the end of an extraordinary life, but the legacy she leaves behind is evergreen. Her banyan trees continue to stand tall, silent witnesses to her dedication, discipline, and compassion. For millions across the world, her story remains a reminder that environmental change doesn’t require wealth, power, or education, only consistency, care, and a willingness to nurture life.
Saalumarada Thimmakka’s Death : A Green Legacy the Nation Will Forever Cherish
As India mourns the loss of Saalumarada Thimmakka, the towering banyan trees she planted continue to narrate her life story, one of resilience, service, and unmatched environmental devotion. Her journey from personal adversity to national recognition transformed her into a symbol of hope for sustainable living.
Her legacy urges a simple yet powerful message: one determined individual can reshape the environment and inspire a nation. The life of Saalumarada Thimmakka will continue to shine as a guiding light for generations committed to protecting the planet she so dearly loved.
A Defining Spiritual Insight: Understanding Human Life Through the Teachings of Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji
While the nation remembers Saalumarada Thimmakka for her extraordinary contribution to environmental preservation, her journey also quietly reflects a much deeper truth about human life, a truth clearly explained in the unique spiritual knowledge of Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj. According to His divine teachings, the true purpose of human life is not merely to perform good deeds, serve society, or accumulate praise, but to attain permanent salvation (Moksha) by recognizing the Supreme God, following the correct way of worship (Sat-Bhakti), and freeing the soul from the endless cycle of birth and death.
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji explains that the human body is the most rare and precious form granted to a soul, meant solely for spiritual realization. Just as Thimmakka nurtured her banyan trees with dedication, every human being must nurture their spiritual journey with the same sincerity, understanding that worldly achievements are temporary, but spiritual attainment is eternal. His teachings emphasize that real peace, real happiness, and real liberation come only through devotion based on the scriptures, not through rituals or blind faith.
By understanding and practicing this scriptural path, a person fulfills the highest purpose of human existence and reaches the eternal abode, free from sorrow, aging, suffering, and rebirth.
For authentic spiritual knowledge and the complete understanding of human life’s purpose, visit: www.jagatgururampalji.org
YouTube Channel: Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj
Read Also: India’s Green Credit Program: A Green Dream or an Ecological Nightmare?
FAQs on Saalumarada Thimmakka’s Life and Legacy
1. Who was Saalumarada Thimmakka?
Saalumarada Thimmakka was a Padma Shri award–winning environmentalist known for planting 385 banyan trees and becoming a global symbol of grassroots ecological conservation.
2. What was Saalumarada Thimmakka’s age at the time of death?
Saalumarada Thimmakka passed away at the age of 114 after prolonged age-related illness at a private hospital in Bengaluru.
3. Why is Saalumarada Thimmakka famous?
She is famous for planting and nurturing 385 banyan trees along a 4.5-km stretch in Karnataka, earning national and international recognition.
4. What awards did Saalumarada Thimmakka receive?
She received the Padma Shri, National Citizen Award, Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award, and the Nadoja Award for her environmental contributions.
5. What caused Saalumarada Thimmakka’s death?
She died due to age-related health complications, including respiratory issues, after not responding to treatment at a Bengaluru hospital.
