The Ukulhas Great Banyan tree (Bodunikagas), is a symbol and landmark of the Island. This tree is considered to be over 300 years old and stands 25m tall making it the oldest and largest tree in the island. The tree spreads over a large area by descending its aerial roots to the soil to form new young smooth trunks which later matures into thick and woody trunks. In the olden days trunks of medium girth were used to prepare yards for sailing vessels and small trunks were used for pole and line fishing. The root of the tree was also used by our forefathers as mean to strengthen the teeth and gums by brushing with them and bark and the seed of the tree was also used to make atonic which helped to maintain the body temperature.

Until the mid-1980s, it was a shady and cool shelter for children, who would gather under the tree to read books, swing and climb up the tree using the descended aerial roots, play hide and seek and locate the incoming vessels while standing on top of the main trunk. Those days it was a place to gain physical strength and memorable experience for many children, however around 1987, on a beautiful sunny day, a child fell to the ground while playing and walking on a branch and became unconscious. When the rest of the children panic stricken by seeing the fallen child approached, he started to scream with convulsions moments followed by deranged behavior. Upon seeing this one elderly man, who stood around while the child fell, came and took him to a local spiritual practitioner thinking the child could have been possessed by a jinn or devil. When the practitioner started reading Quranic verses, the child became healthy and normal.

This event marked the tragic day which brought an end to the joyous days under the tree as the children avoided the banyan tree under the belief that the Great Banyan tree was a place where evil spirits resided so no child should go and have fun near the tree.

These days, the Great Banyan tree is for a place for picnics and gathering for festivities. During the Eid celebration, people of all ages would gather under the tree and prepare for activities such as cultural music and road parades.