Siruvani Dam, Palakkad Kerala

Siruvani Dam, Ecotourism

Siruvani Dam is a very important Water Source for Coimbatore and Siruvani water is close to many a hearts. I have heard stories of natives of coimbatore carrying siruvani water where ever they go, even if travelling to far off places. After hearing so much about siruvani and people going gaga about its sweetness, my eagerness to see siruvani dam increased multi fold. This nice article documents  siruvani water reached coimbatore. I quickly figured that to visit siruvani dam through tamilnadu, one required special visit permission and is not possible for the common man and had abandoned the idea. Later i came across an article on siruvani forest ecotourism and that again kindled the desire to see Siruvani Dam.  And i finally made it last year and i was so impressed that i wanted to go there again. 

While we were returning from Silent Valley National Park(24th Jun,17) we took the deviation leading to Siruvani dam. The road was narrow but the route was very scenic, driving trough rubber and teak plantations.

Siruvani Dam Route

After an hour and half of a pleasurable drive we reached the Siruvani forest Check Post. Earlier they used to run Tata magic vehicles which used to take people around for a fee. After some time the vehicles got damaged and after that they started allowing private vehicles. Entry/ Visit Time is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Entry Fee is 800 rs (500 for vehicle, 300 for guide fee and 30 per head). 

Siruvani Forest Checkpost

After paying the fee we proceeded to the check post where our guide will join us. The check post was actually a camp with quarters and also had an  ecotourism shop selling sandal, honey etc. We gave our ticket and waited for the guide to finish his lunch and then we started for the dam.

Forest Office and Quarters

Eco Shop

Siruvani Dam was another 6 kms from there and we reached in another 20 minutes. The Dam is unique as it doesn't have any gates, only after the dam the water will overflow. Its so built b'cos the  dam itself was for coimbatore and only the surplus water was meant for kerala. The Dam was almost dry, with water way below dead storage level. We wanted to take a few snaps of the dam but decided against it and proceeded further towards the grass hill on the border which was the final destination. But once we got down adn saw the same and the seepage water running we coudn't resist taking a couple of shots.

Siruvani Dam

Shiyas and the guide Enjoying the view

Siruvani

Then we proceeded to the state border not stopping anywhere nearby. There is a camp shed near the border where we parked the car and started walking towards the grass hill.

State Border

The grass hill was a 200 meter hike and should not take long.The hill is supposed to provide a good view of the dam, the backwaters and  the water processing unit in tamil nadu. even at the half way mark the views were outstanding.

View of Siruvani Dam Backwaters

Another view

We were half way up  when it started to drizzle and before we could decide if we have to go back or take shelter , it started pouring down and we were completely wet in no time. Despite having carried the raincoats and umbrella we stupidly kept them in the car. Now we decided to abandon our trek and decided to return. During my earlier trip to i had to return from the same point as there were elephants blocking our way. With great disappointment we turned back. Now we really had to concentrate as the rain, the wind and slope made it extremely difficult. With great difficulty we came back to the road drenched. Immediately we headed to the camp shed changed our clothes and waited for the rain to stop, which it never did. So we decided to start as it was getting late. It was pouring all the way back and we couldn't take any more pictures. We should have taken snaps when we first reached the dam itself. We dropped back our guide and headed back to Mukkali. The rain has given me a reason to go back again to siruvani and hopefully i'll be able to go to the t of the grass hill next time.

Post Scripts

Siruvani Dam visit Permission
Only after visiting i realised that though the dam is built for Tamil Nadu(and funded by), it's well inside kerala border and it might not be enough to get just forest office permission from TN to visit the dam(TN PWD may be?). Also from conservation point of view it cannot be opened for vehicle movement. So people who are eager to visit siruvani (i'm sure there are hundreds of them in coimbatore itching to visit this place) instead of waiting for a contact who can provide you permission to visit siruvani , take the longer route.

Siruvani dam route

There are multiple routes to Siruvani dam , i found the one thru Niravu palakayam route better (It will bypass kanjirapuzha dam)

Accomodation
Pattiyar bungalow is a colonial cottage with great views. Its off limits for normal public. During both my trips i was not allowed inside, so no snaps of my own. Booking should be done in Trivandrum only. There are some Irrigation department buildings but that is also not for the public. The Forest department should consider offering a stay package as part of its ecotourism initiatives. Pallakkad or Manarkkad are the only options

Contact

Siruvani comes under Palakkad district. Please call Divisional Forest Office, Mannarkkad Phone 04924 222574 to confirm if the dam is open for tourists. More details available click Mannarkkad - Eco Tourism

Kanjirapuzha Dam

I discovered Kanjirapuzha dam on my way to siruvani (during my previous trip). I was rushing to siruvani beofre it closed , so had time just to stop over for a few minutes. Its a very modest structure , just a few meters above the ground, no great park or tree cover. After looking at the place i had very litle expectations when i climbed the structure and was pleasantly surprise by the amount of water I saw (there was hardly any water though this time around). If the authorities can develop this place a little, Kanjirapuzha Dam and Siruvani together will make a good day's trip.

Kanjirapuzha Dam

Kanjirapuzha Dam

Below are the snaps i had taken during my previous visit in Dec 2015.

Back Waters Siruvani Dam 

Back waters, Siruvani Dam

Pumping station

Muthikulam Waterfalls Feeding Siruvani Dam

Back waters Siruvani Dam

Siruvani Dam