Welcome travellers on your voyage through the ghat roads from Pollachi to Valparai, it’s Aliyar Dam that presents itself as one of the first prominent sights on your path. Built across the gentle flow of the Aliyar River on the foothill of the imposing Anamalai Hills, the tranquil dam overlooks serene water, lush green mountains and perfectly curated coconut and vegetable farms, it serves as an important hydroelectric power project and is a key Irrigation dam apart from being a popular tourist spot. It’s a picturesque stop for families with kids and for photography lovers who would prefer to be treated with a spectacular panoramic view of the imposing hills on their way up before getting into the winding ghat road of Valparai. The Aliydar Dam is as scenic and spectacular as it can get with its calm and placid reservoir reflecting on the towering, verdant hills on it.Major Attractions: Aliyar Reservoir, landscaped gardens, Anamalai Hills backdrop, boating area, Monkey Falls nearbyTop Activities: Boating, photography, sightseeing, picnicking, relaxing amidst natureDuration: 1–2 HoursBest Time to Visit: September to FebruaryThe lake like water body, offers fantastic views of the sparkling water and road trip on your way into the ghat road to Valparai. The fresh breeze here would let one breathe deep into your lungs before climbing uphill to Valparai. The dam gardens are well developed and are suitable for light walking and family picnics. Kids would enjoy playing here while adults are bound to appreciate the aesthetic value with lovely green lawns and beautiful views into the reservoir with good vantage points and look-out points overlooking the water and valley. Boating facility also be readily available, to roam around into the middle of the reservoir and see the hillocks up close and water spread before you. Photographers would have an ample number of opportunity to make breathtaking landscape shots with the reflections on the water on the hills on bright. If visiting post Monsoon, the whole garden area comes alive with lush green, making it even more attractive for the tourists. There is an abundance of native migratory bird species present around this beautiful dam, and birders could try their luck to spot them around the water. Aliyar Dam is very closely located to many a tourist destinations, they include, Monkey Falls , Loam's View Point, Famous Hairpin Bend Road to Valparai, to make a memorable one day picnic road trip through Anamalais, and Arivu Thirukoil, Temple of Enlightenment. Whether you look to enjoy your lunch with kids on the lawn, snap photographs with the reflection of hills on the water, or simply relax by the cool banks of the reservoir before tackling the ghat road to Valparai, Aliyar Dam is your perfectly located picnic stop.
