Sathanur Dam

Sathanur Dam is a major dam built across the Thenpennai River at Sathanur in Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, about 30 km west of Tiruvannamalai town. Constructed in 1958, it is one of the largest dams in the state and forms a large reservoir surrounded by hills and gardens. The site is notable for its scenic reservoir, landscaped park, crocodile farm, and boating facilities, serving both irrigation and tourism purposes.

Visitors can expect a large reservoir formed by the Thenpennai River set against low hills, with a dam structure, landscaped gardens, and a park area. The complex includes viewpoints over the water, a crocodile farm, children's park, and boating facilities. The surroundings are semi-rural with open water, green lawns, and tree-lined paths suitable for sightseeing, photography, and picnicking.

Constructed in 1958 across the Thenpennai (Ponnaiyar) River during the tenure of Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, Sathanur Dam was one of the major irrigation projects in Tamil Nadu. Built to irrigate around 20,000 acres in Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram districts and to provide flood control, it was at the time considered one of the largest dams in the state.

The dam and its gardens serve as a popular recreational and picnic destination for residents of Tiruvannamalai district and are commonly visited during weekends, holidays and local festival seasons.