Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

Dam with a view

Photos: K. Ananthan

Verdant view The gently rippling waters of the River Gayathri

On our way to numerous treks in the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, we have travelled extensively on Meenkarai Road, and never wondered where it got its name from or where it leads to. Finally, four years later, we decided to expl ore it. And, came back refreshed. The Meenkarai road that links Pollachi to Kerala, is named after a dam. As we drive on a well-laid out road, the profusion of coconut trees in Tamil Nadu seamlessly give way to paddy fields and some more coconut groves on the Kerala side. What do trees know about borders and boundaries anyway? After crossing two check posts (unmanned when we sped past, but carry all your vehicle papers along, just in case), turn right to reach the dam site. And, since this is in God’s Own Country, tourist-friendly directions abound.

The road leading to the dam is no big deal. A couple of sparsely-laid out gardens, two commemorative stone slabs from which the writing has long faded, and a magnificent stone wall greet us. Climb up the two dozen steps and behold a sight like no other. A vast spread of gently rippling water, framed on one side by the mist-covered blue-green Western Ghats, a fringe of trees and an island of sorts on the other, welcomes you.

A row of Palmyra trees springs out from the middle of the water, as if they are getting ready to wade to the bank. A whole lot of birds reside in these trees and the other groves that border the water. As we take in the sight, a huge yellow-brown bird takes off with an ungainly flap of its wings before we can identify it, and disappears just as suddenly.

Photos: K. Ananthan

The gravel pathway atop the dam, interspersed with grass and brilliant pink flowers, makes for a delightful walk. It is just you, with only the water, butterflies and small insects for company. As you walk, the mist swirls down to cover other peaks, and gently fades into nothingness. The dam, built over the river Gayathri that flows into the Bharathapuzha, used to be popular with the Pollachi crowd years ago. Old-timers still recall coming here for picnics as children. Sadly, over the years, people seem to have given it the go-by. This is good in a way, for pollution has been kept at bay, and the place manages to retain its charm.

How to go

Meenkarai Dam is 24 km from Pollachi and two km from the Kerala government check post. If you are driving from Kerala, it is 32 km from Palakkad.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail