Malampuzha Dam

Palakkad, India

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Malampuzha Dam, near Palakkad in Kerala, India, is the largest dam and reservoir in the state, built across the Malampuzha River, a tributary of the Bharathappuzha River. It combines a masonry dam of about 1,849 meters and an earthen dam of 220 meters, with a height of 355 feet. Constructed between 1949 and 1955, the dam was originally part of Madras State before becoming part of Kerala.

It provides irrigation to around 42,000 hectares of farmland and supplies drinking water to Palakkad and nearby areas through a network of canal systems. The dam is set against the scenic Western Ghats and is a popular tourist spot due to its surrounding landscaped gardens, amusement parks, boating facilities, a rock garden, a snake park, an aquarium, a ropeway ride offering an aerial view, and notable sculptures such as the famous Yakshi statue.

The gardens have been renovated to enhance visitor appeal, making Malampuzha Dam both an important irrigation infrastructure and a recreational destination.