Banasura Sagar Dam - India's Largest Earthen Dam in Wayanad

Wayanad, KeralaATTRACTION

India's largest earthen dam, offering stunning reservoir views and speedboat rides amidst a series of green islands in Wayanad.

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Info

ATTRACTION

Info

2-3 hours

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Banasura Sagar Dam is a large earth dam located in the Wayanad district of Kerala. Built across the Karamanathodu river, a tributary of the Kabini, it forms a massive reservoir dotted with several small islands. These islands are actually the submerged tops of surrounding hills, creating a unique landscape, especially after the monsoon when the water level is high. The main purpose of the dam is to support the Kakkayam Hydroelectric Power Project and provide water for irrigation and drinking.

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Location & Address

Banasura Sagar Dam, Padinjarathara, Wayanad, Padinjarathara, Wayanad, Kerala, India

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Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is from September to March. During these post-monsoon and winter months, the reservoir is full, the surrounding hills are lush green, and the weather is cool and pleasant for sightseeing and boating. The summer months from April to May can be quite hot. While the monsoon season (June to August) brings heavy rainfall that enhances the greenery, boating activities may be suspended due to safety concerns, and the weather can be unpredictable.
Peak Crowd: October-January, especially on weekends and during Christmas and New Year holidays, due to peak tourist season.
Moderate Crowd: February-May and September, on weekdays. School vacation periods also see moderate crowds.
Low Crowd: June-August, during the heavy monsoon season, as outdoor activities can be limited.

How to Reach

Air

Calicut International Airport (CCJ) is the nearest airport, located about 92 km away. It takes around 3 hours to reach the dam by taxi from the airport.

Train

The nearest major railway station is Kozhikode (Calicut), which is about 85 km away. Kozhikode station is well-connected to major cities in India. From the station, you can hire a taxi to Wayanad.

Road

Wayanad is well-connected by road to major cities in Kerala and neighboring states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The dam is located 21 km from Kalpetta. You can drive or take KSRTC buses to Kalpetta and then hire local transport.

Local Transport

From towns like Kalpetta or Mananthavady, you can hire a jeep or a taxi to reach the dam. Auto-rickshaws are also available from the nearby small town of Padinjarathara. Ride-hailing services are not consistently available in the area.