Another weekend getaway from Chennai – Kadalur Dam

65 kilometres away from Koyamedu is the Kadalur Dam, is a real weekend getaway from Chennai as Chennai is quite far away from most of the nature spots like waterfalls, hill stations or other water bodies. It is quite natural for Chennaiities to be excited to spot such places within 100 kilometres for a weekend getaway.

Dam is constructed where the river empties into the sea, between the villages of Vayalur and Kadalur, for a distance of one kilometre. The road terminates at the north side of the river after passing through the winding alleys of the Vayalur settlement, after which a mud road slides to the dam. When we arrived, there were already a dozen vehicles and bicycles parked in front of the river, and many people were having fun swimming in the river and sliding over the spillway. This looks to be a safe area to unwind and enjoy the bath as a family, despite the slick spillway and the rocks around the dam.

Veeranam Lake is a 16 km long dam in northern Tamil Nadu that was constructed in the tenth century, during the reign of the Greater Cholas. Rajaditya Chola was the one who invented it, he gave it his father’s name Parantaka I Chola’s title as inspiration. Water for this lake comes from Kollidam via the Vadavaru River.

Most of the year, the lake is dry. Here is more historical information about the place. The Veera Narayana Lake is the setting for the first chapter of the book Ponniyin Selvan. Kalki goes into great detail on the characteristics of the lake and how many rivers enter it. He stated that throughout the spring, Chola princess Kundavi would visit the shores of Veeranam Lake for refreshments. The number of 64 Peetas, or 64 simhasanathipathigal, was agreed upon by Ramanujacharya based on the number of 64 openings in the lake, he adds. The lake in question is Veeraanam Lake, originally Veeranaaraayanapuram Lake.