Marinaupu at 07:16, 6 March 2026

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{{Short description|Dam in Padinjarathara, Wayanad, Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Banasura Sagar Dam
| image = Banasurasagar Main Dam.jpg
| image_caption = Banasura Sagar Main Earthfill Dam
| name_official = Padinjarathara Dam
| dam_crosses = Tributary of the [[Kabini River]]
| res_name = Banasurasagar Reservoir
| location = [[Padinjarathara]], [[Kerala]]
| dam_length = {{Convert|9.0|km|0|abbr=on}}
| dam_height = 775m
| dam_width_base =
| construction_began =
| opening = 2004
| location_map = India Kerala#India
| location_map_caption = Location in [[Kerala]]##Location in [[India]]
| coordinates = {{coord|11|40|12|N|75|57|28|E|region:IN_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| extra =
| status = O
| owner = [[Kerala State Electricity Board]]
| dam_volume =
| res_catchment = {{Convert|61.44|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}}
| res_capacity_total = {{Convert|209250000|m3|acre.ft|0|abbr=on}}
| country = [[India]]
| purpose = Multi-purpose
| spillway_count = Nil
| dam_height_foundation = {{Convert|38.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| res_elevation = {{Convert|775.60|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| plant_capacity = 231.75 MW
}}

'''Banasura Sagar Dam''', situated in [[Padinjarathara]] in [[Kerala]] is the largest earth dam in [[India]] and second largest dam in [[Asia]]. Banasura Dam is under the control of [[Padinjarathara KSEB Station]].
India's first operating floating solar power plant was established in Banasura Dam. The dam is surrounded by [[Banasura Hill]]s. Dam impounds the Karamanathodu tributary of the [[Kabini River]], is part of the Indian Banasurasagar Project consisting of a dam and a canal project started in 1979.<ref name="10th Five Year Plan" /> The goal of the project is to support the Kakkayam Hydro electric power project and satisfy the demand for irrigation and drinking water in a region known to have water shortages in seasonal dry periods. The dam is also known as Kuttiyadi Augmentation Main Earthen Dam. The dam has a height of {{Convert|38.5|m}} and length of {{Convert|776|m}}.

In the dam's [[reservoir (water)|reservoir]] there is a set of islands that were formed when the reservoir submerged the surrounding areas.<ref name="Wayanad" /> The islands with the Banasura hills are in the background view.<ref name="ffkerala.net" /> It is the largest earth dam in India and the second largest of its kind in Asia. The dam is made up of massive stacks of stones and boulders.<ref name="Banasura Sagar Dam" />

The Kuttiyadi Augmentation Scheme consists of a main dam known as Banasurasagar Dam, an earth fill dam and a concrete gravity [[Kuttiyadi Augmentation Spillway Dam|spillway dam]] and six saddle dams:

* [[Kosani Saddle Dam|Kosani]], an earth-fill dam 13.8 m high,
* [[Near Kottagiri Saddle Dam|Near Kottagiri]], an earth-fill dam 11.0 m high,
* [[Kottagiri Saddle Dam|Kottagiri]], an earth-fill dam 14.5 m high,
* [[Kuttiyadi saddle dam|Kuttiyadi]], a concrete dam 16.5 m high,
* [[Nayanmoola Saddle Dam|Nayanmoola]], an earth-fill dam 3.5 m high, and
* [[Manjoora Saddle Dam|Manjoora]], an earth-fill dam 4.0 m high.

All the dams, except Kuttiady saddle, are earth-fill dams. The Kuttiyadi saddle dam is a concrete dam. The spillway is located adjacent to the main dam at the right bank of the original river course. The water spread area at FRL / MWL is {{Val|12.77|u=km2}}. The catchment area of Banasurasagar Dam is {{Val|61.44|u=km2}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Banasurasagar Dam – KSEB Limited Dam Safety Organisation|url=https://dams.kseb.in/?p=1|access-date=2021-07-30|language=en-US}}{{CC-notice|cc=bysa2.5}} </ref>

==Specifications==

*Coordinates: {{Coord|11|40|12|N|75|57|28|E|display=inline}}
*[[Panchayath]]: Padinjarathara
* Village: Padinjarathara
*District: Wayanad
* River Basin: [[Kabini River|Kabani]]
*River: Karamanthodu, a tributary of Kabani river
*[[Taluk]] through which release flows: [[Vythiri]], [[Mananthavady|Mananthavadi]]
*Year of completion: 2004
* Type of dam: Homogeneous rolled earth fill
*Classification: HH (High Height)
* Maximum Water Level (MWL): 775.60 m
*Full Reservoir Level (FRL): EL 775.60 m
* Storage at FRL: {{Val|209.25|u=Mm3}}
* Height from deepest foundation: 38.5 m (Height from bed level)
*Length: 685.00 m
*Spillway: No spillway
*Installed capacity: 231.75 MW
*Project Identification Code (PIC): KL29HH0044

==Location==
The Banasura Sagar Dam is located 2 km from [[Padinjarathara]] and 20 km from [[Kalpetta]] in [[Wayanad District]] of [[Kerala]] in the [[Western Ghats]] of India. It is the largest earthen dam in India and the second largest in [[Asia]]<ref name="Banasura Sagar Dam"/> and a starting point for hikes into the surrounding mountains.<ref name="Statistical Data" /> It is an important tourist attraction.<ref name="Tourist" /> Banasura Sagar Dam is at the foot of the [[Banasura Hill]].

==Spillway Dam==
[[File:Banasurasagar-Spillway.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Spill way dam of Banasura sagar dam]]

Kuttiady Augmentation Spillway dam is a concrete dam with spillways for the Banasurasagar reservoir. The spillway dam is part of the Kuttiyadi Augmentation Scheme, which is located in Wayanad district. It aims at using water of the Karamanthodu River, a tributary of [[Kabini River|Kabani River]]. The Scheme consists of a main dam known as Banasurasagar Dam, an earth-fill dam, a concrete gravity spillway dam, and six saddle dams.{{cn|date=November 2022}}

==Reservoir==
[[File:Kutyadi augmentation Reservoir.jpg|thumb|Kutyadi Reservoir layout]]

The gross storage of Kuttiyadi Augmentation (Banasura sagar) Reservoir is {{Val|209|u=Mm3}}; its live storage is {{Val|185|u=Mm3}}. The water stored in the reservoir is diverted to the reservoir of Kuttiyadi Hydro Electric Project through an interconnecting tunnel. The sill level of diversion tunnel at inlet is 750.83 m. The size and shape of tunnel is varying. For 809 meters of its length, it is a circular, lined tunnel 2.35 meters in diameter, and for 3873 meters it is a D-shaped unlined tunnel with a diameter of 2.85 meters. The maximum diversion is {{Val|11.6|u=m3/s}}. The diverted water is used for power generation at Kuttiyadi Power Station. The elevation of the reservoir when full is 775.60 m. The top level of the dam is 778.50 m. There are four radial gates, each of size 10.97 m × 9.20 m. The crest level of the spillway is 767.00 m. The spillway capacity is {{Val|1664|u=m3/s}}. One lower-level outlet is provided in the spillway structure at 750.75 m of size 1.10 m × 1.75 m to release water for irrigation.{{cn|date=November 2022}}

==Etymology==
The Banasura Sagar Dam is named after [[Banasura]], the son of [[Mahabali]] who as per local Hindu mythological belief was a very respected king of Kerala.{{cn|date=November 2022}}

==Tourism==
The dam has become a popular tourist destination. Many people visit the place to go trekking at the [[Banasura Hill]] and speed boating at Banasura Sagar Dam. The [[Banasura Hill Resort]], located about 20 km from the dam was rated as Asia's largest Earthen Resort by [[BBC]].{{cn|date=November 2022}}

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
DR0071DSC 9245.jpg|The view of reservoir from nearby mountains
Banasurasagar dam1(wayanad).jpg|Banasura sagar spillway dam, which is adjacent to the Main earthfill dam
Orange Minivet(Male) at Banasura Dam.JPG|Male orange minivet at Banasura Dam
A typical view of Banasura Dam.JPG|A view from Banasura Dam
Banasura Dam3.jpg|Boating facility
</gallery>

== Current scenario ==
The actual missions for this dam is to provide water for Kakkayam reservoir,<ref>{{Cite web|title = Kakkayam Dam Reservoir - Wikimapia|url = http://wikimapia.org/456161/Kakkayam-Dam-Reservoir|website = wikimapia.org|access-date = 2015-12-16}}</ref> which is situated in Kozhikode district to produce electricity and also irrigation in Wayanad. Neither mission was accomplished, and currently it is a part of the Hydel project. It has India's first Solar Atop Dam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/300416/kerala-solar-panel-atop-dam-a-reality.html?ref=yfp|title = Kerala: Solar panel atop dam a reality|date = 30 April 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of dams and reservoirs in India]]
*[[Thariode]]

==References ==
<references>
<ref name="10th Five Year Plan">{{cite web
| url = http://www.keralaplanningboard.org/html/Reports/wr&apr.pdf
| title = Government of Kerala Tenth Five Year Plan 2002-07 Report
| publisher = Government of Kerala
| access-date = 2006-10-18
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051218014623/http://keralaplanningboard.org/html/Reports/wr%26apr.pdf
| archive-date = 2005-12-18
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
<ref name="Wayanad">{{cite web
|url=http://www.wayanad.org/outdoor.htm
|title=Wayanad outdoor trails
|publisher=wayanad.org
|access-date=2006-10-14
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061023075312/http://www.wayanad.org/outdoor.htm
|archive-date=23 October 2006
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>
<ref name="Banasura Sagar Dam">{{cite web
| url = http://www.keralatourism.org/wayanad/banasura-sagar-dam.php |title=Banasura Sagar Dam |access-date=2013-02-11
}}</ref>
<ref name="Statistical Data">{{cite web
|url = http://www.kerala.gov.in/statistical/panchayat_statistics2001/wynd_shis.htm
|title = Statistical Data
|publisher = Kerala Government
|access-date = 2006-10-14
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060528102729/http://www.kerala.gov.in/statistical/panchayat_statistics2001/wynd_shis.htm
|archive-date = 2006-05-28
|url-status = dead
}}</ref>
<ref name="Tourist">{{cite web
| url = http://wayanad.nic.in/tourist.htm
| title = Places of Tourist Importance
| publisher = Wayanad Government
| access-date = 2006-10-14
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060505090831/http://wayanad.nic.in/tourist.htm |archive-date = 2006-05-05
}}</ref>
<ref name="ffkerala.net">{{cite web
|url = http://www.ffkerala.net/wayanaddist/wayanad100_places2.html
|title = Wayanad
|publisher = Fast Finder Kerala
|access-date = 2006-10-14
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929150707/http://www.ffkerala.net/wayanaddist/wayanad100_places2.html
|archive-date = 2007-09-29
|url-status = dead
}}</ref>
</references>

==External links==
{{Commons category|Banasura Sagar Dam}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090816150255/http://www.keralaplanningboard.org/html/Reports/wr%26apr.pdf Government of Kerala Tenth Five Year Plan 2002-07 Report of the Working Group on 'Water Resources & Environment - Approach, Policies and Reforms'] (PDF)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180521081702/http://wayanad.nic.in/ Official Web Site of Wayanad District ]
{{Kaveri River}}
{{Tourism in Kerala}}
{{Wayanad}}
{{Dams in Kerala}}
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Wayanad district]]
[[Category:Geography of Wayanad district]]
[[Category:Dams on the Kaveri River]]
[[Category:1979 establishments in Kerala]]
[[Category:Dams in Wayanad district]]

Banasura Sagar Dam - Revision history

Marinaupu at 07:16, 6 March 2026