Mattupetty Dam Munnar Entry Fee
- 10 per person for Entry
- 300 for 1-5 pax for ordinaryboating for 15 min
- 500 for 1-5 pax for speedboating for 15 min
- 700 for 20 people for Big boat for 30 min
- 50 for Horse Ride
Mattupetty Dam Munnar Phone
089405 35238
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| 4/5 stars
Based on total 17 reviews
Mattupetty Dam Munnar Address: Mattupetty, Idukki, Munnar, Kerala, 685612, India
Not many think of dams as sightseeing places but Mattupetty is different. Located in the Idukki district of the South Indian state of Kerala, the Mattupetty Dam is more than just a water storage facility. The water body that forms as a result of this gravity dam is often termed as Mattupetty Lake.
Made of concrete, the different sections of this dam can function independently. By the sheer strength of the dam’s weight, it can hold back a total of 55.4 million cubic metres of water! With a water spread area of 323.75 hectares, Mattupetty Dam services a catchment area of 105 square kilometres.
The Mattupetty Lake is a perennial lake which never dries up even in the summers, while swelling to its maximum capacity in the monsoon when the rains add to its volume. This availability of water continuously round the year makes it very popular with birds and wild animals that rely on this reservoir to quench their thirst.
Mattupetty Dam Timings & Entry Fee
While the dam is functional at all times, if you would like to participate in the water based activities on the Mattupetty Lake or walk across the dam on the road built atop, you will have to adhere to certain timings. Leisure activities on the lake are from 9:30 AM to 5 PM on all days of the week.
There is an entry fee of INR 10 for each person. For a 15-minute ride on an ordinary boat, you pay INR 300 for the entire boat which can carry a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 5 persons. For a similar ride on a speedboat, you pay INR 500 for the boat which can ferry 1 to 5 people.
For those who visit the lake to enjoy with a big group of friends or family, there is a big boat ride which runs for half an hour. With a capacity of 20 guests, the boat charges a total of INR 700. Apart from the water activities, you can also look forward to riding on a horse by the banks of the lake at a cost of INR 50 per head.
History Behind the Mattupetty Dam
The construction of this gravity dam in Mattupetty (which used to be called Madupetty by the locals back in time) was commissioned by the Government of Kerala. The construction of this concrete dam began in 1949, only a couple of years after India’s independence from the British.
Mattupetty Dam was fully built within 5 years and opened in 1953. A total of INR 220 lakhs was spent by the government on this dam which over the years has generated a lot of revenue for it. The water which is conserved in the lake is used for the generation of hydroelectricity. The dam remains an important source of electricity.
Image Gallery of Mattupetty Dam Munnar
Interesting Facts About Mattupetty Dam
Also known as Madupetty Dam, there is a lot of trivia around the dam and the eponymous lake that you might be interested to know:
1. It is possible to sight elephants by the Madupetty Lake as it is a vital source of water for these pachyderms that travel around the region in groups.
2. The waters of the Mattupetty Lake are used extensively for irrigation of the fields in this village.
3. While the dense tree cover around the dam and the lake are environment-friendly, the salinity due to irrigation and waterlogging in the rainy season are counterproductive to the surroundings.
4. The top of Mattupetty dam is well paved and has a road to ply vehicles. Even pedestrians can walk along the entire stretch of 237.75 metres which is the total length of the dam at the top. The lookouts are great places to stop and take pictures from, especially if you’re looking for panoramic shots of the little hills and the thick outgrowth of vegetation around the lake.
5. The dam has a total height of 85.34 metres.
6. Mattupetty Dam has 3 radial spillway gates.
7. The full reservoir level as well as the maximum flood level which can be handled by this dam is 1,599.59 metres, thanks to the road level at the top of the dam which is built at a height of 1,600.20 metres.
8. Madupetty is a recommended visit in all seasons except monsoon, when it becomes risky to walk on the dam and even to indulge in any of the watersport activities. June and July see the highest amount of rain, and must be avoided. The remaining period of August to May is pleasant.
9. The village of Madupetty is situated at an altitude of 1,700 metres above the sea level, making it a delightful hill station to explore.
10. A moniker conferred upon this village is ‘The Switzerland of Kerala’. This is not only due to the cool climes and the idyllic village feel of Mattupetty but also the fact that the Indo Swiss Farm Project was implemented here. Alternatively known as the Livestock project, this was a bilateral agreement between the governments of India and Switzerland launched in 1963. As of today, it is run by the Kerala Livestock Development and Milk Marketing Board.
11. Madupetty is also called the ‘Cattle Village’ after its cattle which are often seen grazing on the meadows and hills. These are different varieties of high yielding cattle and a delight to watch in the farms which have hundreds of them.
12. Mattupetty is a great place for camping and trekking as there are numerous routes through dense woods and the hill that form the relief features of this region.
Places to Visit near Mattupetty Dam
Mattupetty Dam’s proximity to Munnar makes it a place of choice for tourists. If you are here for more than a couple of days, there are some other places too that you can explore to make the most of your precious time:
1. Cowboy Park: Less than 2 km from the dam, Cowboy Park hardly takes 5 minutes to reach by car. Located in the middle of the Sun Moon Valley, this adventure park offers rides such as swing chair, Spanish bull ride, musical bob, tyre walking, zip lining. You can also watch movies at their 12-D Rider theatre. Physically stimulating activities like wall climbing, net crossing and walking across a horizontal ladder are also available here. This park is open every day of the week from 9 AM until 7 PM.
2. Yellapetty View Point: At a distance of 18 km from Mattupetty Dam, this viewpoint on the Kannan Devan Hills takes about half an hour to reach. Also known as Ellepetty, the name “Yellapetty” literally translates to “the last village” in Tamil. Fittingly named, this village stands at the border of the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. A popular hiking route passes through this point where a lot of trekkers prefer to spend the night in tents in the hope of catching the dazzling sunrise and the morning view from up here.
3. Meesappulimala View Point: If you’re up for a long drive of about 3 hours, head over to Meesapulimala which is more than 80 km away. At an altitude of 8,684 feet or 2,647 metres above the sea level, Meesapulimala is the highest peak in the Idukki district. A favourite with trekkers, the view point is just one of the reasons people gear up to hike through the forest laden paths where a lot of wildlife can be sighted too.
How to Reach Mattupetty Dam
Lakes and the dams that are responsible for their formation are quite exciting places to visit. However, they are also far from the main cities to allow for their size and structure to be fully manifested. Mattupetty Dam is no different. However, there are different ways to reach this dam and the eponymous lake:
By Air: 114 km from Mattupetty Dam, the Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport you can fly into. From there, you will have to catch hold of a bus or hire a cab to take you to the dam over a ride that will last for more than three and a half hours. The airport itself is quite well organized, and you will not have any trouble finding the bus bays or taxi areas. If you opt for prepaid taxis from the airport, those will be quite expensive but also very safe.
By Train: If you would rather travel by train, you can book your tickets to the Angamaly Railway Station which is also known as the Kalady Railway Station. This is the nearest railway station from the dam at a distance of 115 km. It won’t be hard to get a bus or a cab to Mattupetty, but you will have to be ready for a further journey of about three and a half hours.
By Bus: If you are planning to arrive into Kerala via bus, you can book an overnight long-distance bus which lets you sleep on reclining seats or better still, completely flat beds. Most of these buses will stop at one of the main cities. Munnar is the main bus stop nearest to Mattupetty Dam at 11 km. From there, you can take a cab for a ride that will take approximately half an hour.
By Car: For those who do not wish to change their modes of travel, hiring a car happens to be the best way to arrive at the dam. Plan ahead and book yourself an air-conditioned cab from top car rental companies in Munnar with a trained driver who is well aware of the routes and the road conditions. This will save you a lot of hassle and help you enjoy your trip better as you relax in your comfortable seat and watch the scenes change through your window.
Munnar is one of the most popular tourist destinations and people visit this place to escape from the hustle bustle of city life. For a fun filled holiday experience, we at Munnar Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA have designed Munnar Tour Packages that are easy on your pocket and cover all the popular places to visit in Munnar. So, what are you waiting for? Please fill the Contact Us form and we will get back to you at the earliest.
