Anaiyirangal Dam - Munnar

Munnar is almost synonymous with tea estates.

At Anayirankal, about 22 km from Munnar, the familiar green tea-covered hills suddenly open out to reveal a large reservoir. Forested slopes rise around the water, tea plantations spread across the hills, and the dam sits quietly in between.

For me, it is this combination that makes Anayirankal interesting.

The dam itself was built in the 1960s. But you are unlikely to come here merely to look at the structure. It is the landscape around it that holds your attention.

Where the Elephants Come Down

The name Anayirankal has a lovely meaning.

Ana refers to elephant, while irankal means coming down or descending.

The surrounding forests are elephant country, and wild elephants are known to descend towards the reservoir for water. That association eventually gave the place its name.

Of course, do not arrive expecting an elephant to be waiting beside the lake.

Wildlife does not work according to our sightseeing schedule.

If you happen to see a herd emerging from the distant forest, consider yourself lucky. Even without elephants, the reservoir surrounded by tea plantations makes the journey worthwhile.

Boating at Anayirankal

Boating is one of the popular activities here.

Once you move away from the bank, the scale of the landscape becomes clearer. Hills covered with tea rise around the reservoir, while stretches of evergreen forest appear between them.

There is very little urban clutter in the immediate view.

That makes a difference.

The water, green hills and occasional patches of exposed reddish earth create a landscape quite different from the crowded centre of Munnar.

The Road is Part of the Experience

The journey towards Anayirankal is equally enjoyable.

The route passes through the tea-growing landscape around Chinnakanal, with plantations appearing at different levels along the hillsides. The Power House Waterfalls at Chinnakanal can also be covered on the same route. Anayirankal lies about seven kilometres beyond Chinnakanal.

There are places where the road itself becomes part of the sightseeing.

This is one of them.

Do not rush simply to reach the dam. Look at the tea-covered slopes along the way, the valleys that suddenly appear beside the road and the forests taking over where the plantations end.

Anayirankal does not have a grand monument waiting at the end.

There is just water, hills, tea and forest.

Sometimes, Munnar needs nothing more.

Happy travelling.