Nature & WildlifeDam

Sathanur Dam

1958 dam on the Thenpennai among the Chennakesava Hills, with gardens, a crocodile farm and a fish grotto

Photo: Jeganila · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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01 — The story

Sathanur Dam spans the Thenpennai, or Pennaiyar, River among the Chennakesava Hills in Thandarampet taluk, around 30 km by road from Tiruvannamalai. Planned under India's First Five Year Plan, it was begun in 1953, finished under the Second and put into use in 1958, and was opened by Chief Minister K. Kamaraj as one of the big irrigation schemes of his time. Only the Mettur and Bhavanisagar reservoirs are larger in Tamil Nadu, and its canals water farmland in the Thiruvannamalai and Thandrampet blocks.

Picnickers come here in numbers. Parks are kept within the dam area for visitors, and their gardens have served as film locations. A fish grotto and a large crocodile farm add to the attractions.

Unmapia

02 — About

Coming soon

We’re still writing about Sathanur Dam: its history, what’s there and why it’s worth the trip.