Tirunelveli which was once the capital city of the great Pandya Kings has numerous site seeing places including the Gundar Dam. This dam is located near the Sengottai city. There is a small waterfall near the dam which offers excellent spot for picnic and family outing. Also a park near the dam with numerous flowering plants and green trees is ideal for the children to enjoy. This dam is gaining popularity as a popular tourist spot among the people which was once only visited by people from nearby places.

History

Gundar Dam was constructed in the year 1983 to cater for the irrigation requirements of the Tirunelveli district. Gundar is an earthen dam with a height and length of approximately 15m and 389 m respectively. The Gundar dam reservoir has an overall capacity is 0.70 MCUM. The irrigation capacity of the dam is 454.50 ha of agricultural land.

Hydrography

Gundar Dam is used as a Medium Irrigation Project. The construction of the dam commenced in 1979 and was completed in a span of four years.

Tourism

The town of Kutrallam which is quite nearby is the major attraction from Gundar Dam. There are five water falls in the close proximity. These waterfalls have high therapeutic and medicinal values. There are separate bathing spots for men and women for the convenience of tourists.

Best Time to Visit Gundar Dam

Tirunelveli can be best enjoyed during the winter season. The best period to visit this part would be between September to March. The summer months are hot and humid. Tourists cannot enjoy the dam site and the city in this harsh weather. The heavy rains in the monsoon period restrict the tourist activities. Nature is at its best during the winter months

Nearby Attractions

• Sankaran Koil: This temple hosts the annual chariot festival in June-July months which attracts Lakhs of devotees.
• Kutrallam: A famous health resort, waterfall and tourist spot popularly called the “Spa of the South".
• Papanasam: A popular Shiva temple located on the bottom of Western Ghats very close to the origin of River Tambraparani.
• Thiruchendur: A popular Hindu temple which is part of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya.
• Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary: A Project Tiger Reserve with various other animals is a place worth visiting located at a distance of forty two km from Tirunelveli.
• Agasthiyar Temple and Falls: A beautiful natural water fall near the Agasthiyar temple. Ideal for trekking and adventure activities.
• Upper Kodaiyar and Manjolai: It is a quiet Hill resort in the Western Ghats.
• Kalakadu Wildlife Sanctuary: A popular wildlife sanctuary located at a distance of forty seven km with excellent flora and fauna. This sanctuary is visited by botanists and ornithologists.

How to Reach Gundar Dam

By Air

Coimbatore international airport is the nearest International Airport from Tirunelveli. This airport is well connected with low fare airlines to almost all the major cities in the country. Spice Jet, Indigo, Air India and Jet Airways have regular flights to Coimbatore. The nearest city to the dam site is Sengottai which is located at a distance of 54 km.

By Road

Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation (TNSRTC) provides excellent road connectivity between Tirunelveli and rest of the Tamil Nadu state. Apart from this, there are numerous private operating companies who run luxury and Volvo buses from various parts of the state. Madurai is located at a distance of 160 km.

By Train

Tirunelveli railway station is the nearest railway station. It is a part of southern railways and is well connected with express and superfast trains from Howrah, Mumbai, Coimbatore and Bilaspur.