Sathanur Dam is one of the most important dams built across Pennaiyar River, which is also known as the Thenpennai River. Its location is in the Thandarampet Taluk in Chengam district among the Chennakesava hills. It is about 30 kms away from Tiruvannamalai. The building of the dam began in the year 1958 and by 1962 the dam got constructed. The dam is mainly used for irrigation purpose. The reservoir has the capacity of 207,300,000 m3 with a full level of 36 m. The dam benefits a wide land area of about 17,750 acres with its left bank canal and 250 acres with the right in both Tiruvannamalai and Thandarampet blocks.

Attractions

Sathanur Dam is known for its picturesque location more than anything else. People who visit Tiruvannamalai never miss to take a trip to this dam.

• The dam has a children’s park and a beautiful botanical garden that grows charming flowers to boast of. Life like colored statues would be seen inside the park. Colored flood lights have been installed inside the park, which flash its brilliance during weekends.
• Swimming pool for children, Flower Park, Crocodile Park and fish farm are to be found here as well.
• There is a small zoo as well inside the park. Animals like porcupine, bear, hare and birds like pigeons can be found here.
• It is worth mentioning that pertaining to the beauty of this place, shooting of many Indian movies took place here between 1960 and 1975.

Things to Do

• This is a great picnic spots and thus, many people are seen to throng this place during the weekends.
• This place can prove to a good field trip for aspiring engineers as they can know a lot regarding the irrigation structures of this dam.

How to Reach

Rail

Tiruvannamalai is connected to Villupuram and Katpadi by railways, which in turn are connected with Bengaluru and Chennai.

Road

Tiruvannamalai is well connected by roadways with different big cities like Vellore, Chennai, Bangalore, Puducherry, Trichy and Salem. Private and government bus services are available every 30 minutes to and from Tiruvannamalai various cities. It takes about 40 minutes from Tiruvannamalai to reach the location of the dam.

Air

The nearest airport is located at a distance of about 170 kms in Chennai.