Are you looking for a place to relax and rejuvenate in the lap of nature? Do you want to experience the beauty and culture of Kerala in a different way? If yes, then you should definitely visit Malampuzha Dam, the largest reservoir in Kerala, located near Palakkad. Malampuzha Dam is not just a dam, but a destination that offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and interests.
Whether you want to enjoy boating, ropeway ride, garden visit, or just admire the scenic views of the dam and the Western Ghats, Malampuzha Dam has something for everyone. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Malampuzha Dam, its history, timings, best time to visit, how to reach, attractions, activities, nearby places, accommodation options and food options. By the end of this article, you will be convinced that Malampuzha Dam is a must-visit place for your next trip to Kerala.
History of Malampuzha Dam
Malampuzha Dam was constructed in 1955 across the river Malampuzha, a tributary of Bharathappuzha, Kerala’s second longest river. The dam was built to provide irrigation and drinking water to Palakkad and surrounding villages. The dam is a combination of a masonry dam with a length of 1,849 metres and an earthen dam with a length of 220 metres. The dam is 125 feet high and has a total catchment area of 145 square kilometres. The reservoir has a capacity of 8000 square meters of water and is served by a network of two canal systems. The dam project was initiated in 1949 by Sri. M. Bhaktavatsalam, the then Public Works Minister of Madras presidency. The foundation stone of the project was laid on 27 March 1949 and the dam was inaugurated on 9 October 1955 by Sri. K. Kamaraj, the then Chief Minister of Madras.
Malampuzha Dam Timings and Best Time to Visit
Malampuzha Dam and its nearby attractions are open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM on all days of the week. However, some attractions have different timings or may be closed on certain days. Here is a table with the timings of some popular attractions near the dam.
Attraction Timings
Ropeway 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Garden 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Snake Park 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Aquarium 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Children’s Park 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Japanese Garden 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sculpture of Yakshi 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Rock Garden 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Amusement Park 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Boating Facility 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM
The best time to visit Malampuzha Dam is from August to April when the weather is pleasant and the reservoir is full. The monsoon season (June to September) brings heavy rainfall and makes the dam and its surroundings more lush and green. However, some attractions may be closed or restricted due to safety reasons during this time.
The winter season (November to February) is ideal for sightseeing and enjoying the cool breeze and misty views of the dam and the hills. The summer season (March to May) can be hot and humid but also offers clear skies and bright colours of the flowers and plants in the garden.
How to Reach Malampuzha Dam
Malampuzha Dam is easily accessible by road from various nearby towns and cities. The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport, which is about 55 km away from the dam. The nearest railway station is Palakkad Junction, which is about 7 km away from the dam. The nearest bus station is Palakkad Town, which is about 9 km away from the dam. From these places, you can take a taxi, bus, car or bike to reach the dam. The approximate travel time and cost of each mode of transport are given below.
Mode of Transport Travel Time Cost
Taxi 1 hour from Coimbatore, 15 minutes from Palakkad Rs. 1000 from Coimbatore, Rs. 200 from Palakkad
Bus 1.5 hours from Coimbatore, 30 minutes from Palakkad Rs. 50 from Coimbatore, Rs. 10 from Palakkad
Car 1 hour from Coimbatore, 15 minutes from Palakkad Rs. 500 from Coimbatore, Rs. 100 from Palakkad
Bike 1 hour from Coimbatore, 15 minutes from Palakkad Rs. 300 from Coimbatore, Rs. 50 from Palakkad
Malampuzha Dam Attractions and Activities
Malampuzha Dam is not just a dam, but a destination that offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Whether you want to enjoy boating, ropeway ride, garden visit, or just admire the scenic views of the dam and the Western Ghats, Malampuzha Dam has something for everyone. Here are some of the main attractions and activities near the dam that you should not miss.
Boating:
One of the most popular and enjoyable activities near the dam is boating. You can choose from different types of boats such as pedal boats, row boats, speed boats and motor boats to explore the reservoir and its surroundings. You can also enjoy fishing in the reservoir with prior permission. The boating facility is available in the garden near the dam and charges vary depending on the type and duration of the boat.
Ropeway:
Another exciting and thrilling activity near the dam is ropeway ride. You can take a cable car that moves across the garden and gives you an aerial view of the dam and its attractions. The ropeway ride takes about 20 minutes and covers a distance of 2 km. The ropeway charges Rs. 50 per person for a round trip and Rs. 30 per person for a one-way trip.
Garden:
One of the most beautiful and relaxing attractions near the dam is the garden. The garden is spread over an area of 10 acres and has various sections such as Entrance Garden, Yakshi Garden, Japanese Garden, Upper Garden and Viewpoint. The garden is full of lush green lawns, colourful flowers, exotic plants, fountains and sculptures. The garden also has a canal that flows through it and has two hanging bridges above it. The garden charges Rs. 25 per adult and Rs. 10 per child (3 to 12 years) for entry.
Snake Park:
One of the most interesting and educational attractions near the dam is the snake park. The snake park has a collection of various species of snakes such as cobras, vipers, pythons and kraits. The snake park also has some other reptiles such as crocodiles, turtles and lizards. The snake park also conducts awareness programs and demonstrations on snake bite management and conservation. The snake park charges Rs. 10 per person for entry and is closed on Mondays.
Aquarium:
One of the most attractive and fun attractions near the dam is the aquarium. The aquarium has a fish-shaped building that houses various types of fishes such as goldfish, angel fish, shark fish and clown fish. The aquarium also has some other aquatic animals such as crabs, prawns and lobsters. The aquarium charges Rs. 10 per person for entry.
Children’s Park:
One of the most enjoyable and entertaining attractions near the dam for kids is the children’s park. The children’s park has various rides and games for kids such as toy train, merry-go-round, swings, slides and seesaws. The children’s park also has some statues of cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Tom & Jerry. The children’s park charges Rs. 10 per child for entry.
Japanese Garden:
One of the most unique and serene attractions near the dam is the Japanese garden. The Japanese garden is designed in a traditional Japanese style with elements such as bamboo bridges, stone lanterns, bonsai trees and waterfalls. The Japanese garden also has a tea house where you can enjoy some authentic Japanese tea and snacks. The Japanese garden charges Rs. 10 per person for entry.
Sculpture of Yakshi:
One of the most famous and iconic attractions near the dam is the sculpture of Yakshi, which is a mythical female figure who is an enchantress. The sculpture is made of concrete and is 30 feet tall. It was created by Sri. Kanayi Kunhiraman, a renowned sculptor of Kerala. The sculpture is located in a garden near the dam and attracts many visitors who admire its beauty and grace. The sculpture charges Rs. 10 per person for entry.
Kava and Catchment area:
One of the most scenic and adventurous attractions near the dam is the Kava and catchment area, which is a forested area that surrounds the reservoir. The Kava and catchment area is a great place for trekking, camping, birdwatching and wildlife spotting. You can also enjoy some river baths and waterfalls in the area. The Kava and catchment area is accessible by road or by boat from the dam. You need to get prior permission from the forest department to enter the area.
Rock Garden:
One of the most creative and artistic attractions near the dam is the rock garden, which is a garden made entirely of waste materials such as broken tiles, bottles, cans and wires. The rock garden was designed by Sri. Nek Chand, a famous artist from Chandigarh. The rock garden has various sculptures and structures that depict human and animal figures, as well as scenes from rural life. The rock garden charges Rs. 10 per person for entry.
The Hanging Bridge:
One of the most thrilling and exciting attractions near the dam is the hanging bridge, which is a suspension bridge that connects the two sides of the reservoir. The hanging bridge is 125 feet long and 25 feet high. It offers a panoramic view of the dam and its surroundings. The hanging bridge charges Rs. 10 per person for entry.
Amusement Park:
One of the most fun and lively attractions near the dam is the amusement park, which is a theme park that has various rides and games for all age groups. The amusement park has roller coasters, water slides, bumper cars, giant wheels and more. The amusement park also has some food stalls and souvenir shops. The amusement park charges Rs. 100 per person for entry and Rs. 50 per person for each ride. The amusement park is closed on Mondays.
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Nearby Places to Visit from Malampuzha Dam
Malampuzha Dam is not only a destination in itself, but also a base to explore some nearby places that are worth visiting from Malampuzha Dam. Here are some of the nearby places that you should not miss.
Nelliyampathy:
Nelliyampathy is a hill station that is located about 60 km away from Malampuzha Dam. It is known for its tea plantations, orange orchards, waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries. You can enjoy trekking, camping, boating and sightseeing in Nelliyampathy. Some of the main attractions in Nelliyampathy are Pothundy Dam, Seetharkundu Viewpoint, Kesavanpara Viewpoint and Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.
Walayar Dam:
Walayar Dam is another reservoir that is located about 21 km away from Malampuzha Dam. It is built across the Walayar River, which is a tributary of Bharathappuzha River. It provides irrigation and drinking water to Palakkad and Coimbatore districts. It also has a deer park that houses some rare species of deer such as sambar deer, spotted deer and barking deer.
Meenvallam Waterfalls:
Meenvallam Waterfalls is a series of waterfalls that are located about 38 km away from Malampuzha Dam. It is situated in the Thuppanadu River, which originates from the Silent Valley National Park. It has 10 steps of waterfalls that range from 5 meters to 25 meters in height. You can enjoy trekking, bathing and picnicking in Meenvallam Waterfalls.
Siruvani Dam:
Siruvani Dam is a reservoir that is located about 55 km away from Malampuzha Dam. It is built across the Siruvani River, which is a tributary of Bhavani River. It provides drinking water to Coimbatore city and its suburbs. It also has a forest reserve that has some rare flora and fauna such as sandalwood trees, elephants, leopards and tigers.
Accommodation Options near Malampuzha Dam
Malampuzha Dam has some accommodation options near it that cater to different budgets and preferences. Here are some of the accommodation options near Malampuzha Dam that you can choose from.
Resorts:
If you want to enjoy a luxurious and comfortable stay near Malampuzha Dam, you can opt for resorts that offer spacious rooms, modern amenities, scenic views and recreational facilities. Some of the resorts near Malampuzha Dam are Casa Lucio Resorts, Four N Square Residency, Hilux Courtyard and KTDC Garden House.
Hotels:
If you want to enjoy a decent and affordable stay near Malampuzha Dam, you can opt for hotels that offer clean rooms, basic amenities, friendly service and convenient location. Some of the hotels near Malampuzha Dam are Hasco Tower, Hotel Indraprastha, Hotel Kairali and Sayoojyam Residency.
Homestays:
If you want to enjoy a homely and authentic stay near Malampuzha Dam, you can opt for homestays that offer cozy rooms, homemade food, local hospitality and cultural experience. Some of the homestays near Malampuzha Dam are Green Valley Homestay, Kairali Heritage Homestay, Malampuzha Heritage Homestay and Palakkad Heritage Homestay.
Campsites:
If you want to enjoy a adventurous and rustic stay near Malampuzha Dam, you can opt for campsites that offer tents, sleeping bags, bonfires, barbecue and outdoor activities. Some of the campsites near Malampuzha Dam are Adventure Camps Palakkad, Campfire Nights Palakkad, Nelliyampathy Camping and Walayar Camping.
Food Options near Malampuzha Dam
Malampuzha Dam has some food options near it that cater to different tastes and preferences. Here are some of the food options near Malampuzha Dam that you can try out.
Local Cuisines:
If you want to enjoy some local cuisines near Malampuzha Dam, you can try out some dishes such as puttu (steamed rice cake), kadala curry (black chickpea curry), appam (rice pancake), stew (coconut milk based curry), idiyappam (rice noodles), fish curry, biryani (rice with meat or vegetables) and payasam (sweet pudding). Some of the places where you can enjoy these dishes are Hotel Aryaas, Hotel Noorjehan, Hotel Sri Chakra and Hotel Vrindavan.
Specialties:
If you want to enjoy some specialties near Malampuzha Dam, you can try out some items such as halwa (sweet confection), banana chips (fried banana slices), murukku (crispy snack), pazham pori (banana fritters) and palada pradhaman (rice flakes pudding). Some of the places where you can enjoy these items are Alukkas Sweets & Bakery, Annapoorna Sweets & Bakery, Krishna Sweets & Bakery and Sree Krishna Sweets & Bakery.
Restaurants:
If you want to enjoy some restaurants near Malampuzha Dam, you can try out some cuisines such as Chinese, North Indian, South Indian, Continental and Arabian. Some of the restaurants where you can enjoy these cuisines are Bamboo Hut Restaurant, Blue Nile Restaurant, Daffodils Restaurant and Spice Route Restaurant.
Cafes:
If you want to enjoy some cafes near Malampuzha Dam, you can try out some beverages such as tea, coffee, juice, milkshake and smoothie. You can also enjoy some snacks such as sandwich, burger, pizza, cake and pastry. Some of the cafes where you can enjoy these beverages and snacks are Cafe Coffee Day, Cafe De Palakkad, Cafe Mojo and Cafe Rio.
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Malampuzha Dam is a scenic and serene destination in Kerala that offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. It is a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate in the lap of nature. It is also a great place to experience the beauty and culture of Kerala in a different way.
So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Malampuzha Dam today! You will not regret it. Thank you for reading this article and please share your feedback or questions in the comments section below.
