Kallanai (Grand Anicut)
கல்லணை
A stone dam on the Kaveri River built in the 2nd century CE by the Chola king Karikala, considered one of the oldest water-engineering structures in the world still in use.
The Kallanai (Grand Anicut) lies on the Kaveri River between Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli. According to tradition, the early Chola king Karikala built it in the 2nd century CE from unhewn boulders. It is about 330 metres long and diverts river water to irrigate the Kaveri delta. In the 19th century, British engineers added sluice gates to the structure, and it still functions today. On the dam top are a road, a statue of King Karikala and a park. During the rainy season, the water rushes through impressively, and it is a weekend outing spot for locals. Entry is free. It is about an hour by hired car from Thanjavur and can be visited on the way to Srirangam.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Aiyarappar Temple, Thiruvaiyaru
- Schwartz Church
- Brihadisvara Temple
- Saraswathi Mahal Library
- Thanjavur Maratha Palace
- Punnainallur Mariamman Temple
- Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai
- Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram