Neyyar Dams

About Neyyar Dams

Neyyar Dam is situated at 30km east of Thiruvananthapuram, at the foot of western ghats.Neyyar is the heaven for tourists who search for some serenity and isolation. A Tour to Neyyar Dam will refresh your spirits in such a beautiful surrounding. The dam is a part of the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary which is the home of unique species of flora and fauna. From wild boars and elephants to the vast range of medicinal herbs Neyyar is truly a nature lover’s paradise. It was established in 1958. It is occupying the basin of the rivers Neyyar, Mullayar and Kallar. Boating facilities are available at the reservoir.It is popular picnic spot in India,Neyyar dam is included in the province of Kallikkad Panchayath of Neyyattinkara Taluk. The peak Agasthya Kooodam is a lovely spot, very close to the Neyyar dam. One canal of River Neyyar flows into the western districts of Tamil Nadu. The main river Neyyar flows across Kallikkadu, Aryancode, Marayamuttom Neyyattinkara, Kezaroor, Ottasekharamangalam, and Poovar. The river finally debouches at Arabian Sea.The prime attractions at the Neyyar dam are the adjacent Lion safari park, Crocodile farm, Deer park, Miniature wild life sanctuary and Lake Garden. Neyyar is well known for Neyyar Dam is a popular picnic sport with a lake and a picturesque dam site.A number of wild life animals including elephants are found here. Also built around the dam are some exciting Lion safari & deer safari parks. There is a crocodile farm and a watchtower is also built. Neyyar has some of the rarest medicinal herbs in Kerala. The lake formed by the dam across the Neyyar river is the bluest of blue, making boating irresistible for tourists.

The dam can be easily approachable as a regular bus service is available from the capital of Kerala. The Dam is an apt place for tour with a raft! The sparkling backwater welcomes tourists and makes way for an exciting excursion around the Neyyar Dam.

Interesting things to Visit

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram:

It is located on the foothills of the Western Ghats near Neyyar Dam. It offers different courses and programs on Yoga and Vedanta. The Ashram has facilities for worship, rejuvenation therapies, panchakarma treatments, canteen, money exchange facilities, dormitories, library, and a boutique.

Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre:

A crocodile farm was set up in 1977. It also includes a habitat for otters near the administrative complex. The Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre in Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary was named by the Kerala government after late Steve Irwin as Steve Irwin National Park.

Napier Museum :

A great architectural creation, the Napier Museum best represents the combination of the traditional Kerala style with the Mughal and the Chinese Influence. An English architect by the name of Chisholm designed the mansion in 19 th century. In present times it houses a rare collection of archaeological and historical artifacts.

Sree Chitra Art Gallery :

Sree Chitra Art Gallery is Established in 1935,The art gallery has a 100 years old world famous paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, the pioneering Indian patron of art in oil painting, who was born and brought up at Kilimanoor Palace in Kerala. The Artistic grandeur of Bengal school of Arts is best exemplified here.

Padmanabhaswamy temple :

The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is seen reclining on the Anantha serpent. The temple consists of a tower built of seven stories with rising pillars and intricate carvings decorated with mural paintings. Only peoples from the Hindu religion are allowed inside the temple premises places to the eastern side of the old fort ruins.

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary:

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is established in 1958.It is located 30 kilometers away from Thiruvanathapuram, the capital city. The Neyyar sanctuary is the drainage basin of the Neyyar river and its tributaries-Mullayar and Kallar. The Neyyar river and its tributaries flow along the entire stretch of the preserve. The irrigation dam at Neyyar receives water from the Neyyar river which originates from Agasthyakoodam hill.

Agasthyakoodam:

Lying at an altitude of 1,890 m, Agasthyakoodam is the highest peak in southern Kerala. It forms part of Western Ghats and the Agasthyavanam forest, The hill is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus. For Buddhists, it is the abode of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara; for Hindus it is the abode of sage Agastya, a disciple of Lord Shiva.The hills are rich in medicinal plants, herbs and many species of birds and wild animals. Trekking to the top takes two days and is only permitted between December and April.

Nearest Visiting places

Varkala Beach:

Varkala is a seaside resort. It is also an important Hindu center of pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline. The 2,000-year-old Janardana Swamy Temple and the Nature Center are the two main attractions here at Varkala.

Paripally Gajamela:

Paripally, 48 km north of Trivandrum is noted for its Gajamela or Elephant pageant. Over 50 elephants are taken out on a ritual procession on the tenth day of the festival in the month of February-March.

Ponmudi:

Its an idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding pathways and cool, green, wooded environs, Ponmudi is located 913 met~s above sea level. Along with a variety of beautiful mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, small rivulets, springs and the deer park nearby, this hill station also has excellent trekking trails. Food: KTDC restaurant.

Kanyakumari:

This is the land`s end of India and is only 87 km from Trivandrum. This is also known as Cape Comorin. This beautiful spot is located in the neighbouring Tamil Nadu state. This place has got international recognition because of Vivekananda who started his journey from this place.

Koyikkal Palace:

It is Located on the way to the Ponmudi Hill Station and the Courtallam waterfalls, this ancient palace dates back to the 13th century. Here you can see a double storeyed traditional Nalukettu building with slanting gabled roofs, an inner courtyard and museums of folklore and numismatics set up by the Department of Archaeology.

Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple:

There are rock cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple at Vizhinjam. The granite cave here encloses a one-celled shrine with a loose sculpture ofVinandhara Dakshinamurthi. The outer wall of the cave depicts half complete reliefs of the Hindu God Shiva with Goddess Parvathi

Sree Chithra Art Gallery:

This place is Located near the Napier Museum, this art gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Raiput, Mughal andTanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Ball.

Chacha Nehru Children`s Museum:

Children of all age groups will enjoy the vast collection of nearly 2000 dolls, stamps and masks displayed here. Observatory: Located at the highest point in the city, near the Museum complex 60 metres above sea level, one can have a bird`s eye view of the city from here.

Anivikkara Dam:

This picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of the Karamana River. Near the Durga Temple here is a stream full offish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors.

Santa Cruz Basilica Church :

This Roman Catholic church is situated near the St. Francis church and is worth a visit. It is a specimen of Portuguese architecture built in 1503. ‘Frescoes’ and mural paintings decorate the ceiling and interior parts of the church. The gothic architecture and the lofty spires gives it a unique grandeur

Bolghatty Island :

Bolghatty palace was built by the Dutch in 1744. Later it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin. Today it is a hotel run by K.T.D.C. The grounds have a small golf course & several vantage points for lovely views of the harbour & the sea.

Willington Island :

This place is Connected to the mainland by road-cum-railway Venduruthy Bridge, Willington Island is named after the former Viceroy of India, Lord Willington. It is a manmade Island created from the materials dredged while deepening Cochin Port. Willington Island sites some of the district’s best hotels, Trading and industrial offices. Besides the airport, ship building yard, wharf, the Southern Naval Command Head Quarters, the customs house and the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the government of India

Chinese Fishing Nets :

A legacy of the trading connections between China and India many centuries ago. The long rows of Chinese Nets silhouetted against the sunset present a spectacular sight of Cochin’s waterfront. These are large nets which hang from bamboo or teak posts, still to be in use by the local fisher folk of Fort Cochin.

Vyppin light house :

The biggest Island, situated between the sea and the backwaters of Cochin. It is 24 km long and 2 1/2 km wide. There is a light house at Ochanthuruthu which is open to tourists from 3 pm to 5 pm. The Island can be reached only by water transport provided by boat services and Junkar. There are bus services on the Island.

Pallippuram Fort :

Pallippuram fort was built by the Portuguese in 1503. It is one of the oldest existing European monuments in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1661 and sold it to the State of Travancore in 1789. This fort is situated in the northern extremity of the Vyppin Island at Pallippuram. The catholic church at Pallippuram is an important pilgrim centre of the Christians.

The Pareekshit Thampuran Museum :

Its archeological museum adjacent to the Shiva temple in Durbar Hall Road,Ernakulam. This museum features collections of the 19th century paintings , Pre-historic monuments , Old coins in a numismatic gallery, Scriptures in stone & Plaster of Paris, Copies of mural paintings etc & the collection from the Cochin royal family. In the earlier days the museum was the Durbar Hall of Cochin Rajas where guests were welcomed, and where official ceremonies and meetings were held. Now under the State Archaeological Department.

The Akulam Boat Club:

Its just 8 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram is another famed tourist attraction. The club provides boating cruises on the nearby Akulam Lake. A bat ride from here to the Karamana River will cost approximately . It also houses an amusement park and a swimming pool for children. Tourists often visit this Club to picnic with friends and family.

Pozhikara Beach:

Pozhikara Beach is a nearby haunt beloved by tourists. The Karamana and Parvathy Puthanaar Rivers empty into the Arabian Sea at this spot.

Flora and Fauna:

Brilliantly colored flowers, striking in variety beauty, the dense green foliage, the natural vegetation, the exotic water birds and others flora and fauna make your tour on the Thiruvallam Backwaters an unending bag of pleasant surprises

Veli tourist Village:

The Veli Tourist Village is sandwiched between the Veli Lagoon and the Arabian Sea. The lagoon here is separated from the sea by a narrow sand bar. Facilities at the village include water sports in the lagoon and 18 acre waterfront park with a floating bridge that connects the village to the beach.

Canoe Rides:

Tourists enjoy canoe rides and capture breathtaking views of the country life on Thiruvallam backwaters tours.

Kappil Lake:

At the outskirts of Varkala town, the lake gives way to the scenic world of the Kerala backwaters.

Varkala Tunnel:

This 924 ft tunnel was built in the19th century and it took nearly 14years to be completed. A prominent tourist attraction in Varkala, the tunnel is a must-visit site on your tour to Varkala.

Ananda Valleeswaram Temple:

The Ananda Valleeswaram Temple of Kollam attracts people on almost all days. There are several Churches and Mosques around Kollam. The Pullichira Church was established in 1700 A.D. Mahatma Gandhi beach & park at Kochupilamoodu, Thirumullavaram beach and Ashramam picnic village, are some of the important spots of local sight seeing.

Nearest Petrol Pump

Petrol Pump
Statue General Hospital Road, Palayam
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Thampanoor Petrol Pump
Thycaud,Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala

Vellar Petrol Pump
Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

Karamana Petrol Pump
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

Indian Oil Petrol Pump
NH 47, Karamana
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

IOC Petrol Pump
Thirumala
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Hotel Uday Samudra
G V Raja Road Samudra Beach
Kovalam, 695527
Tel: 0471 2481654

Fortune Hotel The South Park
M. G. Road, Trivandrum
Kerala 69503
Tel: 0471 2333333.

Travancore Heritage Hotel
Chowara Post Office, Thiruvananthapuram
Kovalam, 695 501
Tel: 0471 2267828

Shirleysbeach Hotels and Tour operators
Behind Coconut Groove restaurant
kovalam Beach, trivandrum
Kerala 69552
Tel:0471 2317303.

Serviced Apartments Accommodation Rental
Jawahar Nagar, Trivandrum
Kerala 695003
098 95112230.

Keralagreenery
Tutors Ln, Palayam
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala 695001
Tel:0471 2573011.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Vizhinjam Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

Nedumangad Police Station
Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

Mangalapuram Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

Pothencode Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

Police Station
Parassala Vellarada Road
Parassala, Kerala
Tel: 0471 22020230.

Nearest Hospital:

AJju’s Dental Care Centre
Trivandrum Bypass Rd, Trivandrum
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 69502
Tel: 0471 2476304.

Divya Prabha Eye Hospital
Kumarapuram, Trivandrum,
Kerala 695011
Tel:0471 2442050.

JDRC
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Tel:0471 2356200.

Roy Medical Centre
Thycaud Hospital Road
Opp. Amritha Hotel,Trivandrum,
Kerala 695014
Tel:09387809779.

Sree Ramakrishna Mission Hospital
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Tel: 0471 2722125.

Medical College Hospital
TrivandrumKerala-
Tel: 0471 2444270.

KIMS Hospital
Trivandrum, Kerala
Tel: 0471 2447575.

Link:

http://atozallnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/neyyar-dam-kerala-tourist-spot.html
http://neyyardam.blogspot.com/2009/09/kathak-dance-by-uma-sharma.html
http://travelocity-in.blogspot.com/2009/10/neyyar-dam-trivandrum-kerala.html
http://shaijub.blogspot.com/2009/06/short-journey-safari-park-neyyar-dam.html
http://kerala-traveller.blogspot.com/2007/11/neyyar-dam-trivandrum-kerala.html
http://godsowncountrykerala1.blogspot.com/2009/04/neyyar-dam-lion-safari-park.html

Location info

• **Address:**Neyyar, 30 km from east Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

• District: Thiruvananthapuram district

• Nearest City: Kanyakumari, Madurai, Kochi , Nedumangad, veli, valiyachala, Kollam, Trivendrum.

• Best time to visit: September to May.

Climate & weather

The climate is of tropical humid type with an oppressive summer and The temperature normally ranges between 27º and 32º C.

Things to do at Neyyar Dams

you can have Boating at the reservoir, It is popular picnic spot in India, this place is replete with rare medicinal herbs that have exceptional curative properties, Neyyar Wildlife sanctuary is nearby to the dam which you can see the Wild animals of varieties and also Neyyar Lake.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Kerala cuisine — fish curry, appam with stew, puttu, and Kerala sadhya — is widely available and famously delicious.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Best time to visit Neyyar Dams

The best time to visit Neyyar Dams is from November to February when the weather is pleasant and the reservoir is full from the monsoon rains. Post-monsoon (October–December) offers scenic views with lush green surroundings. Summer months see lower water levels but easier access.

Timings & opening hours

Dams are typically open to visitors from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Some dams restrict access during monsoon months (June–September) due to safety concerns. Check with the Kerala State Electricity Board for specific timings.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry to dam viewing areas typically costs INR 10–30 per person. Boating charges are extra: INR 100–300 for speed boats and INR 50–150 for pedal boats. Parking fees apply.

Duration needed

1–2 hours to view the dam, explore the reservoir area, and enjoy boating if available. Picnic areas near dams can extend the visit.

Safety tips

Do not swim or bathe in the reservoir near the dam structure. Stay behind safety barriers and observe warning signs. Be cautious of sudden water release from the dam. Do not venture into restricted areas. Follow instructions from security personnel and dam authorities.

Things to carry

Comfortable walking shoes, a camera for panoramic views, drinking water, snacks, an umbrella or raincoat, binoculars for scenic views, and a hat for sun protection. Boating, if available, requires life jacket usage (provided on-site).

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) (approximately 0 km). Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station. The destination is well-connected by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private taxis from major towns.

History of Neyyar Dams

Neyyar Dams is part of Kerala’s extensive hydroelectric and irrigation infrastructure developed after India’s independence. Kerala’s first hydroelectric project was commissioned in 1940, and numerous dams were built in the subsequent decades to harness the state’s abundant water resources from the Western Ghats rivers. These dams transformed Kerala’s economy by providing irrigation for agriculture and electricity for industry and domestic use, while also creating scenic reservoirs that became tourist attractions.

Frequently asked questions

Is boating available at the dam? — Many dams in Kerala offer boating facilities — speed boats, pedal boats, and rowboats are common. Charges range from INR 100–500 per person. Availability varies by season. Can I walk on the dam wall? — Walking on the dam wall is permitted at some dams (within designated areas) and restricted at others for safety reasons. Follow local signage. What is the best time to visit? — Post-monsoon (October–January) when the reservoir is full and the surroundings are lush green.