10 December 2017: Left on a sudden unplanned road trip to Kumbakonam & Mayiladuthurai. Started from Coimbatore @ 9.45 am travelled via Palladam Kangayam Vellakoil Karur & finally parallel to the Cauvery river via Mukkombu towards Trichy (190 Kms from Coimbatore).Cauvery was virtually dry except for stray pools of water. From Trichy I allowed GPS decide the shortest route to Kumbakonam. The route took us via Kallanai Dam, Poondi,Tiruvaiyyar, Kabi Sthalam & Swami Malai. We reached Kumbakonam around 3.30 pm and checked into Hotel Athityaa.The Kallanai Dam is a very scenic picnic spot.
Kallanai also known as the
Grand Anicut is an ancient dam built across the Cauvery river in Tiruchirapalli. The dam was originally constructed by the Chola King Karikalan in 2nd century AD and is the fourth-oldest water-diversion or water-regulator structures
in the world and the oldest in India which is still in use. The dam was
remodeled and strengthened by the British during the 19th Century.
|
THE GRAND ANAICUT OR KALLANAI DAM |
|
STATUE OF KARIKALA CHOLAN |
Sometimes, unplanned things turn out to be most surprising and exciting.
ReplyDeleteThe Kallanai dam looks impressive! So does the statue of the King that ordered its original construction.