Saturday, November 21, 2015

Vaniyar Dam, Dharmapuri

Vaniyar Dam, Dharmapuri
Vaniyar Dam, one of the big dams in Dharmapuri district is located at 5km from Pappireddipatti, built in the foothills of Shevaroy Hills across the Vaniyar River, which is a major tributary of Ponnaiyar River. The Dam has a capacity to hold 418 Mcft water & upto depth of 65 ft and connected to the lakes of Venkatasamuthram, Aalapuram, Onthiampatti, Thenkaraikottai and Parayapatti via channels. There is a small park and officer's quarters available near the dam. The dam is scenic and people can reach Yercaud by a long walk through the Shervarayan forest.



The dam receives water from its catchment area in Shevaroy Hills. Water will be flowing to the dam only during Monsoon season and remains dry if monsoon fails. During November 29, 2010, water level of the dam reached 64.29 ft against its full depth of 65 feet.



Vaniyar dam is located in Pappireddipatti taluk of Dharmapuri district. The dam receives the water during the monsoon season and reaches the maximum level during Oct - Nov.  Nearly Ten thousand of acres of cultivation land are irrigated through the water supplied from canals.



This place is quite famous to spend some quality for the locals during Kaanum Pongal, the fourth day of Pongal festival, people visit Vaniyar Dam to spend their time with family, relatives and friends.


Season
The best time to visit is between Oct to Jan as the dam will be up to its full level.
Connectivity
Pappireddipatti is well connected by roads to the nearby city Salem and district headquarters Dharmapuri. The nearest railway station is at Bommidi, 16.4 km from Pappireddipatti.
From Salem, proceed to Ayodhyapattnam; take left in the Railway crossing, which is the Thirupattur road. After around 30kms, diversion is there in left which will take you to Pappireddipatti. From there you can reach the dam easily. Total distance from Salem will be around 45kms.