Largest earthern dam in India. Review on Banasura Sagar Dam, Wayanad

Banasura sagar dam is an earthen dam, an earthen dam is which is built by layers of various composition of soil, sand, clay and rock which is impervious to water seepage, it is the largest of its kind in India and and second largest in Asia.

It was built in 1979 as a batter of Banasurasagar Project, that supplies water to the Kakkayam hydro electric project and also satisfies the need for local irrigation. The site is currently a tourist attraction due to the dam and also the nearby bansura hill that offers trekking and also currently there is a resort of the same name nearby, that has garnered attention due to it being completely made of mud, rammed earth to be exact, it is considered one of the best eco resorts. Prices are on the steeper side but is justifiable.

The dam is located at a distance of about 20km from kalpetta the district headquarters of wayanad. The dam and its reservoir and with the hills in the background is picturesque. There are small islands in the reservoir formed when land was submerged on construction of the dam. there is provision for boating here. One can also visit the nearby hydroelectric plant but prior permission has to taken from Kseb, we went there as apart fo industrial visit.

An attraction more famous than the dam is the Bansaura hill, The area got its name because as the myth goes Banasura the son of Mahabali the asura king, revered in Kerala, went on tapasya here. The hill offers a famous trekking. although I haven't done the trek, I came to know that with steep inclines and boulders the trek is quite challenging, but at the same time it would be interesting to the adventurous folk. prior permission ahs to be taken and there is fee to be paid.

Overall bansaura is another important way point on a trip to Kerala, especially around wayanad.