Another tourist attraction of Kalpetta
is Banasura Sagar dam. It is the largest earth dam in India and the
second largest of its kind in Asia. The dam is made up of massive stacks
of stones and boulders.
Legend and ambience
Situated about 15 km from Kalpetta, the dam holds a large expanse of water and its picturesque beauty is enhanced by the chain of mountains seen on the backdrop. It is constructed in the Banasura Lake and the nearby mountains are known as Banasura Hills. Legends say that the Asura king of Banasura, (the son of King Mahabali, who is believed to visit Kerala during every Onam festival) undertook a severe penance on the top of these hills and thus it was named after him. The scenic mountains beckon adventure tourists and the dam site is an ideal starting point for trekking.
During monsoon, visitors may also be able to see small islands in the dam’s reservoir. They are formed while the flooded reservoir submerges the surrounding areas too. The vast expanse of the crystal clear water of the dam dotted with small islands is a photographer’s delight.
History
Banasura Sagar Dam consisting of a dam and a canal began operating as part of the Indian Banasura Sagar Project. It aims at supporting the Kakkayam Hydro electric power project and also contributes to the irrigation and drinking water requirements of the people during summer, if there is water shortage.
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