Chimmini dam

Chimmini Dam- a tranquil retreat in Kerala

Established in the year 1996, the Chimmini dam is located in Mukundapuram Taluk in Echippara in the district of Thrissur of Kerala. The dam is built across the Chimoni River which is a tributary of the river Karuvannur. This is the largest dam in the district. Surrounded by three wildlife sanctuaries, hills, and greeneries, the place is enjoyed by locals as well as foreigners. You can visit here during the daytime but there is much to explore in the evening. There is an area that grows medicinal plants that are not so well maintained. The view of the dam is accompanied by a cloudy sky above is something that you always search for within nature. The Chimmini Dam is proffered by tourists mainly of its quiet and less crowded surroundings. The nearby Chimmini wildlife sanctuary is contiguous to the Peechi Vazhani Sanctuary and can be explored along with the dam. There you can spot elephants, sambars, sloth bears, barking dears, and many other species of birds and insects. The largest butterfly can be spotted here if you are lucky enough.

When to go

The dam is open all around the year and the locals find it a suitable place to spend the weekends. Monsoon and winter are ideal for visiting the dam but if you are eager to explore the forests too then land there in the winter season. Tourists from far places can go there as an additional spot if a tranquil place is a demand. The best time to visit for everybody is from November to April.

Things to do in Chimmini dam

• Bamboo rafting– there are arrangements made by the department for bamboo rafting and you can do it for innovating a new experience. The rafting trip extends from two hours to a full-day trip. If you can manage to do bamboo rafting on a full moon night which is called ‘Moonlight Sonata’ then you can enjoy the golden moments of your life.
• Walking– there is a garden beside the dam and lots of spaces there where you can stroll around and pass wonderful moments with your favorite person.
• Trekking- the adjoining Chimmini wildlife sanctuary offers a chance for trekking but could be done only with the permission of the forest department. It is recommended not to go deep into the forest and return before evening. But having a nice and thrilling experience in the jungle is assured for adventurous people.
• Camping- this is another option for an adventurous soul who wants to stay there for a night and experience camping in the jungle. At any time visit the dam and forest region and at night enjoy the campfire and listen to the silence of the place.
• A day picnic– the native people find this place a great one to enjoy a picnic, especially in the winter months. Due to its vast locality, the place is suitable for spending picnic moments with your family and friends.

How to reach Chimmini dam

Thrissur railway station is the nearest station and from there, buses are available that would take you almost nearby the dam. Thrissur bus stand and Amballur bus stand are the nearest bus stoppages from where autos are available to the place. However, most of people use their private cars to reach the Chimmini Dam. You can also reach there from Kochi which will take just a driving of two hours.

Where to stay

There are options for a night stay presently as the forest department has modified it as a tourist destination. Students can enjoy this place as a nature club and there are also arrangements for a campfire. There are nice hotels on the way to the dam, you may buy food from there, or else a few stalls could be found near the dam, but those are not suitable for meals. The closest place to stay near the dam is the Inspection Bungalow and there are also many homes staying in the nearby Amballur village which is just 12 km from the dam. The bungalow has options for dormitory stay which is just 80 INR per bed with a total of forty beds. And there are 3 rooms that cost 600 INR per room.

Chimmini Dam History

The Chimmony Dam is located in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India, and was constructed between 1979 and 1985. The dam was built for the purpose of providing drinking water and irrigation to the surrounding regions. The dam is located on the Chimmony River, which is a tributary of the Bharathapuzha River. The dam has a storage capacity of 33.66 million cubic meters of water and is an important source of water for the people of Kerala.

Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary

Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. It was established in 1984 and covers an area of around 83 km². The sanctuary is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to a variety of wildlife species, including elephants, tigers, leopards, sambar deer, and several species of birds and reptiles.

The sanctuary is located on the banks of the Chimmini Reservoir and is surrounded by evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. The Chimmini Reservoir, which is an important source of water for the nearby villages, is also a popular destination for boating and fishing.

Visitors to the Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary can explore the area on foot, by boat, or by vehicle, and can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including elephants, tigers, and several species of birds, during their visit. The best time to visit the sanctuary is from December to April, during the winter and spring months when the weather is pleasant and dry.

Chimmini Activity

Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary offers several activities for visitors to enjoy, including:

1. Wildlife viewing: Visitors can take a guided tour of the sanctuary to see a variety of wildlife, including elephants, tigers, leopards, sambar deer, and several species of birds and reptiles.
2. Trekking: The sanctuary offers several trekking trails for visitors to explore, including the trek to the Chimmini Reservoir, which is known for its scenic beauty.
3. Boat ride: Visitors can take a boat ride on the Chimmini Reservoir to explore the surrounding forests and to see a variety of wildlife, including birds, from a different perspective.
4. Fishing: The Chimmini Reservoir is a popular destination for fishing, and visitors can try their hand at catching a variety of fish species.
5. Birdwatching: Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a variety of bird species and is a popular destination for birdwatchers. Visitors can take a guided birdwatching tour to see a variety of birds, including the Malabar grey hornbill and the great hornbill.

Visitors are advised to follow all the rules and regulations of the sanctuary, including the guidelines for wildlife viewing, to ensure the safety of the wildlife and the visitors, and to maintain the ecological balance of the area.