Perunchani Dam

Perunchani Dam is an irrigation dam and reservoir built across the Paralayar River near Perunchani village in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, at the foothills of the Western Ghats. Constructed between 1948 and 1953 as part of the Kodayar Irrigation System, it stores water for irrigation and drinking supply. Surrounded by forested hills and scenic waters, it is noted for its tranquil reservoir, views of the Ghats, and proximity to Pechiparai and Chittar dams.

Visitors can expect a large reservoir set against forested Western Ghats hills with an earthen and masonry dam structure, calm backwaters, and open views of the surrounding landscape. The site is primarily for sightseeing, photography and short walks along the dam and reservoir bund. There are no major commercial developments; the environment is quiet and natural, with seasonal water levels highest after the monsoon. Access is to viewpoints and the dam periphery.

Perunchani Dam was constructed between 1948 and 1953 across the Paralayar River as part of the Kodayar Irrigation System in the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin region, now Kanyakumari District. Inaugurated in 1953, it was built to provide irrigation for agricultural lands in Kanyakumari District and to support drinking water supply, complementing the nearby Pechiparai Dam.