Aliyar Dam is a reservoir situated 27 km away from Pollachi on the foothills of Valparai, in the Anamalai range of the Western Ghats. It is around one and half hours from Palani temple, and approximate driving distance between Palani and Aliyar Dam is 82 kms or 51 miles. The Dam was built during 1959-1969 across the Aliyar river mainly for irrigation purpose. The project was ordered in September 2002 to produce Hydro Electric Power.
The Lake accepts water from Upper Aliyar Reservoir through the hydroelectric power station in Navamali and the Parambikulam reservoir through a contour canal. Aliyar dam, built as a part of Parambikulam Aliyar project (PAP), retains as a large reservoir. The dam is around 2 km in length.
Dam is a well-known tourist destination. Near Aliyar dam, there are some visitors attractions counting a park, garden, aquarium, play area and a mini Theme-Park maintained by Tamil Nadu Fisheries Corporation for visitors pleasure. Temple of Consciousness is situated near Aliyar dam entrance at Arutperunjothi Nagar, where Vethathiri Maharishi resides.
This Dam project consists of a series of dams unified by tunnels and canals for binding the waters of the Parambikulam, Aliyar, Sholiyar, Thunakadavu, Thekkadi and Palar rivers, flowing at many elevations, for irrigation and power generation. Under this scheme, the irrigation discharges let down through river sluices of the Aliyar Dam utilized for power generation in a power house at the toe of the dam. Being a micro hydel scheme, this project is subsidized by the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources, Government of India.
The backdrop is beautiful, with mountains surrounding three quarters of the reservoir. Boating is also available. Monkey Falls is one of the well-known place is located at 6 km from the dam next to Arutperunjothi Nagar. Night stay is possible in the forest rest house near the dam. A treetop house provides accommodation for the daring adventurous.
Ashram is a well-known place near to Aliyar Dam. Vethathiri Maharishi founded the “Vethathiri Maharishi Yoga and Kaya Kalpa Research Foundation” based in Aliyar, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu in the name of Arutperunjothi Nagar. This is located on Pollachi-Valparai Highway SH-78, next to Aliyar Dam. Though he had very little proper schooling, in his later life he became a qualified physician in Ayurveda, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. Numerous years of intense meditation directed to his enlightenment at the age of 35. Vethathiri led the life of a householder until he was 50, and then changed the course of his life from being an entrepreneur to teaching and writing about his involvements of divine revelations.
If visitors are looking ahead to spend a night at Dam then the forest rest house is a good choice. There is even a treetop house, which is an ideal option for the adventurous.
The best time to visit the Aliyar Dam is just after the Monsoon. It is better to avoid Summer seasons.
Martin Wynn
