Kalingarayan Anicut is a barrage on the Bhavani river in Erode district, Tamil Nadu. It is located before Kooduthurai where Bhavani meets with Kaveri in Bhavani, Erode.[1]

Kalingarayan Anicut
Kalingarayan Anicut is located in Tamil Nadu
Kalingarayan Anicut
Location of Kalingarayan Anicut in Tamil Nadu
Official nameKalingarayan Dam
CountryIndia
Coordinates11°26′31.8″N 77°40′35.5″E / 11.442167°N 77.676528°E / 11.442167; 77.676528
StatusOperational
Opening date1283; 741 years ago (1283)
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment and Barrage
Length902.5 m (2,961 ft)

History and design

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The dam was constructed by Kongu chieftain Kalingarayan Gounder.[2] It is one of the ancient River linking projects in Tamil Nadu and was undertaken to establish a link between Bhavani and Noyyal rivers. The project including construction of the dam and canal started in 1271 and was completed in 1283.[3]

This irrigation project involved the construction of a barrage to divert the water to Kalingarayan Canal. The dam and the canal irrigates approximately 15,743 acres (6,371 ha) of agricultural land.[4] In 2016, Government of Tamil Nadu undertook development works to strengthen the dam's embankments by concrete plugging.[5]

Tourism

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In 2017, Government of Tamil Nadu planned to convert the dam into a tourist attraction.[6][7] In 2017, a children's park along with a memorial hall and statue of Kalingarayan was inaugurated by then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Palaniswami.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Kalingarayan Anicut A00214". India-WRIS. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  2. ^ "Kalingarayan Canal is 725 years old". The Hindu. 17 January 2007. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  3. ^ Kalingarayan Canal Water Quality Study (PDF) (pdf). Central Pollution Control Board. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  4. ^ "Kalingarayan sluices opened, Erode all set for farming". The Hindu. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Strengthening work of Kalingarayan Anicut in concluding". The Hindu. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Soon, a memorial for Kongu chief who built a grand canal". Times of India. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Kalingarayan Manimandapam project progressing well". The Hindu. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  8. ^ "Godavari link can bring 125 tmc to Tamil Nadu: CM Edappadi K Palaniswami". The New Indian Express. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.