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Palar River

Palar River

About:

The Palar River is a significant river in southern India, originating in the Nandi Hills in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka. It flows through the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The river is approximately 348 km long and plays a crucial role in agriculture and drinking water supply, particularly for the people of Tamil Nadu. Due to seasonal fluctuations, the Palar is often dry but becomes a lifeline during the monsoon.

River in southern India, rising in Karnataka state and flowing through Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu into the Bay of Bengal, south of Chennai (formerly Madras); length 370 km/230 mi. There is intermittent flow for some of its length. It is tapped for ground water, which is used for irrigation purposes and is also supplied to the Kolar goldfields. Its waters are often polluted, especially by the tanning industry. There is a dam at Arcot.

Location info:
The Palar River flows from the Nandi Hills in Karnataka through Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with significant stretches in the Vellore and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu. The river reaches the Bay of Bengal near the town of Vayalur, south of Chennai.

Climate/Weather:
Summer (March-May): Hot and dry, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 40°C, especially in Tamil Nadu. Monsoon (June-September): Brings rainfall, although the Palar basin receives less rainfall compared to other rivers, and the river may not always fill significantly. Winter (October-February): Cool and comfortable, with temperatures between 15°C and 28°C, making it an ideal time to visit nearby sites..

History:
Kolar, the headquarters of the Kolar district, was earlier known as Kuvalala. Historically, Kolar is said to be associated with the epic age, which recalls many legends associated with Avani in Mulbagal Taluk, which was also called Avani Kshetra.

The Palar River has historical significance in South India, with ancient towns, forts, and temples situated along its banks. Historically, the river was a vital source of water and played a role in the prosperity of several South Indian kingdoms, including the Pallavas and Cholas. It has been a site of dispute over water sharing between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, given its importance for irrigation and drinking water.

Interesting things to do:
Temple Visits: There are several ancient temples along the river, including in Kanchipuram, Vellore, and other towns, which offer a glimpse into South Indian history and architecture. Explore Nandi Hills: Visit the source of the Palar River in Nandi Hills, which is also a popular destination for trekking, sightseeing, and watching scenic sunrises. Picnicking by the River: Certain areas along the river, especially in Vellore, are popular picnic spots, especially when the river has water. Photography: Capture the beauty of historic sites, temples, and natural landscapes along the river.

Interesting things to Visit:
Sripuram Golden Temple: A spiritual site near Vellore, this modern temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi is famous for its gold-plated structure. There are Vijayanagara inscriptions on the wall of the store room and the yagashala, dated to 15th century A.D. p>

Mobile range info:
Mobile network coverage along the Palar River is generally good, especially near major towns like Vellore, Kanchipuram, and Chittoor. However, rural or remote areas may have limited signal strength.

How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station: Vellore and Kanchipuram have well-connected railway stations.
Nearest Airport: The nearest airports are in Bangalore (near Nandi Hills) and Chennai (for the Tamil Nadu stretch of the river).
Road Transport:The river is accessible by road from various points, with well-maintained highways and local roads connecting major cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Vellore..

Nearest Visiting places:
1. Tipu's Drop the place from where Tippu Sultan made his prisoners fall.
2. Tipu's Summer Residence a beautiful palace on top of this hill. This palace is closed to the general public .
3. Temples There are temples dedicated to Sri Bhoga Narasimha, Sri Ugra Narasimha and Sri Yoga Narasimha .
4. Gavi Veerbhadra swamy temple on top of the hill (The temple inside a big rock/cave)
5. Nehru Nilaya, where Jawaharlal Nehru used to stay, now a guest house of the horticulture department of India.
6. Rivers The rivers Pennar, Palar and Arkavati originate from these hills.Most of the sources have dried up .
7. Brahmashram It is said that Sage Ramakrishna Paramhamsa meditated here.Its a cool cave .
8. Muddenahalli The home town of Sir M. Visvesvarayya, the architect of modern Karnataka. Muddenahalli is just a few kilometres from Nandi Hills. His house is now a museum.

Nearest Petrol Pump:
There are multiple petrol pumps available in towns along the river, such as Vellore, Kanchipuram, and Chittoor. It’s advisable to refuel in these towns before exploring rural areas.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Fortune Park Vellore: A comfortable hotel located near Vellore Fort. Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay, Mahabalipuram: A luxury option near the Bay of Bengal. Hotel GRT Regency, Kanchipuram: Located conveniently in Kanchipuram, offering modern amenities for visitors.

Things to carry:
Comfortable walking shoes for temple visits and trekking. Water bottle and light snacks, especially if visiting rural areas. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat for protection from the sun. Camera to capture scenic and historic spots. Personal essentials, including medications and any required permits for certain sites.

Tips & Suggestions:
Plan visits during the winter for comfortable weather, as summer can be quite hot, especially in Tamil Nadu. Respect local customs, particularly in temples and religious sites along the river. Check local conditions if planning to visit river areas, as water levels can vary significantly throughout the year. Avoid littering to help preserve the natural beauty and cleanliness of the riverbanks and surrounding areas.

Help Line/Phone Number:
Karnataka Tourism Helpline: 080-2235-2828
Tamil Nadu Tourism Helpline:044-2533-4910

Palar River Nearest Attraction
Savana Durga Hills
A left turn some 7 kms before Magadi in Magadi road reduced our travel distance by some 8 kms and itz around 65 kms from bangalore city. Nice road to drive on and lotz of quarries on the way and road having lotz of bends and turns makes your drive a splendid one....more
Antharagange Temples
One of the ancient temples of india. It has miraculous water coming from mouth of got cow statue 365 dayz a year. It is a holy place people visit this temple from many parts of the Karnataka, Kolar District and karnataka state on Mahashivratri festival day every year. It is protected by Forest authority of india, has lots of Monkeys and wild Deers....more
Chikka Thirupathi Temples
Chikka Thirupathi : This sleepy little town is 10 km off Sarjapur. It takes about an hour from the Sarjapur ring-road junction. The road (if you can call it that) is very bad for a few kilometres after the Wipro office. It gets much better as you near Sarjapur. The scenery certainly isn't breathtaking, but it is a nice break from the chaos in Bangalore.....more
Kaivara Temples
Kaivara is centre for pilgrimage. This place is located in the Chintamani Taluk of Kolar district in Karnataka, a state that is in the south western part of India.. It is about 65 km from Bangalore. This place is historically significant. It is said that the Pandavas of the great Indian epic Mahabharata lived here during the exile in the forest (Vanavasa).....more
Kudumalai Temples
Though the name sounds like a place in Tamilnadu, this historically important place is located in Mulabagal taluk of Kolar district in Karnataka. Many people would have seen the century-old giant idol of Lord Ganesha in Bangalore on Bull Temple Road. The idol at Kurudumalai is as awe-inspiring.....more
Ponnaiyar River
249 The river finally surrenders in to the Bay of Bengal at Cuddalore. The Ponnaiyar river basin is encircled by the Cauvery river basin in the west and south and Palar and Tondiar basins in the east and north respectively.....more
South Pennar River
The South Pennar River is known as Dakshina Pinakini in Kannada and Thenpennai in Tamil. It is also referred as Ponnaiyar .The river originates in the Nandi Hills in the Kolar district of Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu before entering into the Bay of Bengal.....more