Peppara Reservoir

About Peppara Reservoir

Peppara Dam is located at Peppara around 55 Kms from Trivandrum. The dam is erected across the Karamana River.
Peppara dam constructed across Karamana river and commissioned during 1983 to augment drinking water supply to Thiruvananthapuram city and suburban areas. Considering the ecological significance of the area, it was declared as sanctuary during 1983. The dam water meets the requirements of Trivandrum and places around. The cachment area of peppara dam reservoir forms the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary.

Interesting things to Visit

Peppara Wild sanctuary:

Peppara Wild sanctuary is Located at about 50 km northeast of Thiruvananthapuram in Nedumangad taluk , the capital city of Kerala, the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala. The major wildlife in Peppara include Elephants, Indian Bison, Sambars, Barking Deer, Wild Boars, Tigers, Panthers, Wild Dogs, Lion-tailed Macaques, Nilgiri Langurs, Malabar Squirrels and Mouse Deer to name a few. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is also rich in its avifauna, especially water birds, including Darters, Little Cormorants, Pied King Fishers and Egrets.

Aruvikkara:

The Aruvikkara reservoir is situated sixteen km north of Trivandrum city and it supplies water to the city. The place is remarkable for its exquisite scenic beauty and hence, ranks as a popular tourist spot.

Neyyattinkara:

This is an ancient town lying 20km south-east of Trivandrum city. The town houses the historically important Sri Krishna Swami Temple.

Koyikkal Palace, Nedumangad:

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.

Ponmudi:

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.

Nearest Visiting places

Napier Museum:

The Napier Museum was established by the ruler of Travancore in 1855 and is named after the then Madras Governor, General John Napier. Chisholm, its British architect, combined Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian styles of architecture in his design.

Kanakakunnu Palace:

The Kanakakunnu Palace is situated near the Napier Museum in Thiruvananthapuram. This palace was constructed during the reign of His Highness Sree Moolam Thirunal.

Kuthiramalika Palace Museum:

Kuthiramalika Palace or Puthenmalika is situated on the south-eastern side of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

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.

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.

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.

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:

Agasthyakoodam is the highest peak in southern Kerala at an altitude of 1,890 m. 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.

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.

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, Nedumangad:

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.

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.

The Fishing Village:

The village near Poovar is largely inhabited by fisher-folk. The fishermen here make a living by fishing in the old-traditional ways. They live a unique water-based lifestyle completely relying on the river and sea for everything from their daily livelihood to transportation.

Vizhinjam:

Vizhinjam is located close to the Kovalam Beach, has a small sea port. There are a multitude of internationally acclaimed beach resorts and Ayurvedic treatment centers in and around Vizhinjam.

Crocodile-watching Expeditions:

Embark on an exciting crocodile watching expedition – a popular crowd-puller here. Watching the amphibians at a close range is sure to enthrall spectators. On a bright sunny day one can view crocodiles basking in the sun.

Kovalam beach:

The natural beauty of this beautiful beach is what attracts people from far and wide to come here. It takes an hour from Trivandrum to reach this scenic beach, which is famous for its beach resorts. The Kovalam beach in Kerala offers the best of facilities to its visitors like sunbathing, swimming, Ayurvedic massages and plenty of other options.

Nearest Petrol Pump

Petrol Pump
Trivandrum, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

Petrol Pump
Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

Petrol Pump
Statue General Hospital Road
Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

Karamana Petrol Pump
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

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

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

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

Comfort Inn Grand Trivandrum
MG Road Trivandrum
Kerala 695001
Tel: 0471 2573649.

Shirleysbeach Hotels and Tour operators
Behind Coconut Groove restaurant
kovalam Beach, trivandrum
Kerala 695527
Tel: 0471 2317303.

Holiday Accommodation Rentals India
Kovalam, Trivandrum
Kerala 695003
Tel: 098 95112230.

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

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

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Vizhinjam Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

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

Pothencode Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Vizhinjam Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Nedumangad Police Station
Nedumangad
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Mangalapuram Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Nearest Hospital:

Al Arif Hospital
Trivandrum Vizhinjam Road
Manacaud, Trivandrum
Kerala
Tel:0471 2381715.

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

JDRC
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Tel: 0471 2356200.

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

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

Medical College Hospital
Trivandrum, Kerala
Tel: 0471 2444270.

Link:

http://derisanamcope23.blogspot.com/2008/09/peppara-wildlife-sanctuary.html

Location info

• Address: Peppara, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

• District: Thiruvananthapuram district

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

• Best time to visit: Ocotober 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 Peppara Reservoir

Watch the Karmana river and also Peppara Wild sanctuary which is close to the dam.

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 Peppara Reservoir

The best time to visit Peppara Reservoir 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: Cochin International Airport (COK) (approximately 0 km). Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam Junction / Ernakulam Town Railway Station. The destination is well-connected by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private taxis from major towns.

History of Peppara Reservoir

Peppara Reservoir 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.