18.7.11

The Kallanai dam

It dates back to the second century AD and is the only man-made dam in the world that is still in use. But Kallanai dam or Grand Anicut is yet to be accorded world heritage status. Located about 15km from Trichy, Kallanai was built by Chola king Karikalan across the Cauvery to divert its waters for irrigation. In India, 29 places have been declared world heritage sites. Only four places in Tamil Nadu — Airavatesvara temple near Kumbakonam, Brihadisvara temple (Big Temple) at Thanjavur, Mamallapuram monuments and the Gangaikondacholapuram temple in Jayamkondam — have received the status. According to ASI (Chennai Region) officials, the entire dam, including the modifications, should be declared a world heritage site as it is an engineering marvel that showcases the technical expertise of the Chola era. In 1893, British archaeologists discovered Tamil inscriptions dating back to Karikalan’s reign on one of the walls of the dam. However, they are yet to be decoded.

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