Tiruchirappalli
Kallanai Dam Tiruchirappalli
Kallanai Dam Tiruchirappalli
Kallanai (also known as the Grand Anicut) is an ancient dam built by Karikala of Chola dynasty in 150 CE. It is built (in running water) across the Kaveri river flowing from Tiruchirapalli District to Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The dam is located in Thanjavur district, 15 km from Tiruchirapalli and 45 km from Thanjavur. It is the fourth oldest water-diversion or water-regulator structure in the world and the oldest in India that is still in use. Because of its spectacular architecture, it is one of the prime tourist spots in Tamil Nadu.
Dam and spillways
- Location: Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India
- Built by: Karikala cholan of Chola dynasty
- Type of dam: Barrage
- Impounds: River
- Height (foundation): 5.4 metres (18 ft)
- Length: 329 metres (1,079 ft)
- Width (base): 20 metres (66 ft)
The Kaveri river splits into two at a point 20 miles (32 km) west of Kallanai. The two rivers form the island of Srirangam before joining at Kallanai. The northern channel is called the Kollidam (Coleroon); the other retains the name Kaveri, and empties into the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar. On the seaward face of its delta are the seaports of Nagapattinam and Karaikal.
