Panchapalli Dam: Soaked in Serenity

It was a pleasant drive on the first day of 2020 to Panchapalli Dam, tucked away in the forest stretches, south of Bengaluru. A detour from Anekal led to the town of Denkanikota, which falls under Krishnagiri district. The traffic thinned as we drove past the road side shops, and the road turned narrower as well. Dark clouds hovered throughout the drive with intermittent sprays, a dash of petrichor and fresh air.  Farm lands popped up on either side, and it was a delight to see them interspersed with boulder strewn hillocks as we travelled deeper into the hinterlands of Tamil Nadu. Large colourful sculptures of godly figures stood out amidst the beautiful landscape.

Denkanikottai is known for its popular Betraya Swamy temple which has a colourful stepped pond adjacent to it. The winding road from Denkanikottai to Panchapalli dam is a gradual incline with the farm lands and tiny settlements giving way to hills, empty lake beds and forest stretches. The picturesque Panchapalli reservoir slowly opened up as we drove further. Engulfed by hills and greenery, Panchapalli reservoir and the dam have gorgeous surroundings and it was a delight to soak in the tranquility of the place. Despite the water levels not being high, the placid reservoir held its charm with the encapsulating vistas.

Though there isn’t much to do around the dam, one can soak in the serene views. More than the destination, it is the drive to Panchapalli dam that keeps one engrossed. There is a small tea shop further ahead on the road, which leads to Bettamugilalam and Seimeri lake.

Travel Tips:

• There are no restaurants or rest rooms on this stretch beyond Denkanikottai except for a few tea stalls.
• Denkanikottai has fuel stations and a couple of restaurants.

How to Reach Panchapalli Dam:

Denkanikottai is 65 kms from Bengaluru, and Panchapalli dam is a further 20 Kms away. Take the right at Anekal on to Denkanikottai road.