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A day at Lake Placid

Where time stands still, writes SUBHA J RAO

PHOTO: K. ANANTHAN

AVIAN ATTRACTION At Varattupallam

"Near Andhiyur is a lake like you've never seen before," assures our source, refusing to divulge anything more. After having dangled such a carrot, who will not fall for it? Our photographer, and I did.

That sent us on a rural odyssey on the Andhiyur-Bargur highway, past farms with bobbing heads of corn and paddy, turmeric scented villages with quaint-sounding names like Olagadam, Paruvaachi, Aththani and Vaikaalpalayam and plenty of garishly painted kaaval deivams (gods said to protect the villages). Finally, a Forest Department check post. The official waves us through with a friendly smile and directions to the lake, which is actually the reservoir of the Varattupallam Dam, built in 1980. As RLTs go, this one is pretty simple. The car goes right up to the bridge atop the dam.

Film music blares out of some official's FM radio and old dabbankuthus rent the otherwise peaceful atmosphere. We walk on the bridge and majestic densely vegetated hills zoom into view. The vast expanse of dark-looking water is absolutely still but for a bramble that decorates it right in the middle.

As we walk down the bridge, the birdcall begins. Black cormorants, the red-wattled lapwing and snow-white egrets take off with a whoosh, gliding gracefully mid-air before getting back to their favourite crevices. A couple of officials who live near the dam use the still water of the dam as a mirror, grooming themselves by the bank.

The water appears dirty, but are we wrong! The sun shines through the clouds and the water glistens. It finally dawns on us — the shadow of the hills gives the water its appearance.

There is some sudden movement under the bridge; as we watch, a water snake glides beautifully over the rocks and vanishes into a crevice. Despite a 10-minute wait, it shows no sign of reappearing.

The well-maintained parapet is a great place to sit down and take in the sights of rows of hillocks, so thickly carpeted with greenery that only a few bald pates are visible.

Small insects hover about the water, moving silently, submarine-like. To the right is a hill that looks like it has been sliced into two around the centre — courtesy, the curvy road that snakes its way to Bargur. The smell of crushed leaves, redolent of mint, dominates the air. A layer of shrubs skirts the reservoir and disappears round a bend. This is perfect for a family outing or a day out with friend. It is clean and tucked away from the main road. Pack some lunch and leave the surroundings as clean as they were.

How to get there

Varattupallam check post is 10 km from Andhiyur. The dam is 1.5 km from there. Take the first left from the check post and drive down a mud-beaten path.

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