Malampuzha Dam is the second largest dam and
reservoirs
A reservoir (; from French ''réservoir'' ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam. Such a dam may be either artificial, built to store fresh water or it may be a natural formation.
Reservoirs can be created in a number of ways, including control ...
in
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...
,
located near
Palakkad
Palakkad (), formerly known as Palghat, historically known as Palakkattussery is a city and municipality in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of the Palakkad District. Palakkad is most densely populated municipal ...
, in the state of
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...
in
South India
South India, also known as Dakshina Bharata or Peninsular India, consists of the peninsular southern part of India. It encompasses the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the union territo ...
, built post independence by the then
Madras state
Madras State was a state of India during the mid-20th century. At the time of its formation in 1950, it included the whole of present-day Tamil Nadu (except Kanyakumari district), Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema, the Malabar region of North and c ...
. Situated in the scenic hills of the
Western Ghats in the background it is a combination of a
masonry dam
Masonry dams are dams made out of masonrymainly stone and brick, sometimes joined with mortar. They are either the gravity or the arch-gravity type. The largest masonry dam in the World is Nagarjunasagar Dam , Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, in Indi ...
with a length of 1,849 metres and an
earthen dam
An embankment dam is a large artificial dam. It is typically created by the placement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil or rock. It has a semi-pervious waterproof natural covering for its surface and ...
with a length of 220 metres making it the longest dam in the state.
[
] The dam is 355 feet high and crosses the
Malampuzha River
Malampuzha River is one of the tributaries of the river Kalpathipuzha. Malampuzha Dam is built across the river at Malampuzha about 8 km from the Palakkad town in the Indian state of Kerala. The reservoir formed by the Malampuzha Dam is 23.13 ...
, a tributary of
Bharathappuzha
Bharathappuzha ("River of Bhārata"), also known as the Nila or Ponnani River, is a river in India in the state of Kerala. With a length of 209 km, it is the second longest river that flows through Kerala after the Periyar. It flows throu ...
, Kerala's second longest river. There is a network of two canal systems that serve the dam's
reservoir
A reservoir (; from French ''réservoir'' ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam. Such a dam may be either artificial, built to store fresh water or it may be a natural formation.
Reservoirs can be created in a number of ways, including contro ...
of 42,090 hectares.
[
]
Construction
The dam project was begun in 1949 and completed in 1955. foundation stone for the project was laid on 27 March 1949, by the then Public Works Minister of
Madras State
Madras State was a state of India during the mid-20th century. At the time of its formation in 1950, it included the whole of present-day Tamil Nadu (except Kanyakumari district), Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema, the Malabar region of North and c ...
, Sri
M. Bhaktavatsalam
Minjur Bhakthavatsalam (9 October 1897 – 13 February 1987) was an Indian independence activist and politician who served as the chief minister of Madras State from 2 October 1963 to 6 March 1967. He was the last Congress chief minister of Ta ...
as Palakkad was a part of the
Madras Presidency
The Madras Presidency, or the Presidency of Fort St. George, also known as Madras Province, was an administrative subdivision (presidency) of British India. At its greatest extent, the presidency included most of southern India, including the ...
during those times. The dam was constructed in record time, and on 9 October 1955, the then Chief Minister of Madras State, Thiru.
K Kamaraj
Kumaraswami Kamaraj (15 July 1903 – 2 October 1975, hinduonnet.com. 15–28 September 2001), popularly known as Kamarajar was an Indian independence activist and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Madras State (Tamil Nadu) ...
, inaugurated the dam. The total catchment area is 145 square kilometres, while the reservoir has a capacity of 8000 cubic meters of water. The canal systems serve to irrigate farmland while the reservoir provides drinking water to Paladin and surrounding villages.
[ The dam was constructed by the Madras government but upon the Creation of linguistically reorganized states ,The Malabar District encompassing the Dam became a part of the Kerala State.
]
Location
15 km from Palakkad city, North Kerala.
Attractions: Dam, amusement park, boating facilities, rock garden and ropeway.
Around the reservoir of the dam are gardens and amusement parks. Boating facilities are available on the lake.
Getting there
Nearest railway station: Palakkad Junction - 14 km [
]
Nearest airport: Coimbatore, 55 km from Malampuzha Dam [
]
Main Attractions
* Entrance Garden
* Yakshi Garden
* Yakshi Statue
* Japanese Garden
* Upper Garden and viewpoint
* Cable car ride
* Fish shaped aquarium
* Toy train for kids
* Fantasy Park
* Spiced fruits camp
* Trekking tracks
* River baths
Picture gallery
File:Malampuzha-dam-2019.jpg
File:Anaikkattu 01.jpg
File:Anaikkattu 02.jpg
File:Anaikkattu 03.jpg
File:Anaikkattu 04.jpg
File:Anaikkattu 05.jpg
File:Anaikkattu 06.jpg
File:Anaikkattu 07.jpg
File:Anaikkattu 08.jpg
File:Anaikkattu 09.jpg
File:Anaikkattu 10.jpg
File:Malampuzha Dam Reservoir 1.jpg, Malampuzha Dam Reservoir 1
File:Malampuzha, Palakkad, India. 4.jpg, Japanese Garden
File:Malampuzha Garden 4.jpg, Garden with a mountain background
File:Malampuzha Garden 8.jpg, Wide view
File:Malampuzha Garden Chess Board Park.JPG, Chess Board Park
File:Malampuzha Garden Japaneese Garden 1.JPG, Japanese Garden
File:Malampuzha Garden Maze Park.JPG, Maze Park
File:Malampuzha Garden Sunken Garden.JPG, Sunken Garden
File:Malampuzha Garden Swimming Pool Board.JPG, Swimming Pool
File:Malampuzha Snake park.JPG, Snake Park
File:Malampuzha panchayat community hall.JPG, Village Hall
File:Boomerango.JPG, The Fantasy Park
File:Malampuzha dam.jpg, Malampuzha Dam
File:Malampuzha Garden2.jpg, Malampuzha Garden
File:Malampuzha Garden 3.jpg, Garden
File:Malampuzha Garden4.jpg, Garden
File:Malampuzha Garden Entrance.JPG, Malampuzha Dam Entrance
File:Malampuzha Dam3.jpg, Entrance
File:Malampuzha Garden2.jpg, Garden
File:Yakshi scuplture.jpg, Yakshi sculpture
See also
*List of dams and reservoirs in India
This page shows the state-wise list of dams and reservoirs in India. As of July, 2019, total number of large dams in India is 5,334. About 447 large dams are under construction in India. In terms of number of dams, India ranks third after China and ...
*Kuttippuram bridge
The Kuttippuram Bridge is a bridge that connects Kuttippuram with Thavanur-Ponnani region in Malappuram district, Kerala, India. The Tirur and the Ponnani Taluks are separated by the river Bharathappuzha, which is also the second-longest river in K ...
References
External links
Malampuzha - Mountain River
Prawn harvest 2006–2007
Kerala Attractions
{{Dams in Kerala
Dams in Kerala
Buildings and structures in Palakkad district
Reservoirs in Kerala
Amusement parks in Kerala
Dams completed in 1949
1949 establishments in India
Bharathappuzha
Sculpture gardens, trails and parks in India