Kallanai Dam, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu India

Kallanai  is an ancient dam built across the Kaveri River in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. Located at a distance of 15 km from Tiruchirapalli, the dam was originally constructed by the Chola king Karikala around the 2nd Century AD. and is considered to be one of the oldest water-diversion or water-regulator structures in the world which is still in use. It still stands as a symbol of Dravidian Engineering.

 Kallanai Dam is an ancient dam located near Trichirappalli, about 20 Kms, built by the emperor named Karikala Cholan. It was the only surviving ancient which was reported to be built in 2nd AD. The significance of this oldest dam is. it is the ancient stone water-diversion or water-regulator structure that exists in the present world.

 The Grand Anicut, also known as the Kallanai (கல்லணை) (kall -stone, anai-bund), is an ancient dam built on the Kaveri River in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. It is located about 20 km from Tiruchirapalli. It was built by the Chola king Karikalan around the 2nd Century AD and is considered one of the oldest water-diversion or water-regulator structures in the World, which is still in use. It still stands as a symbol of Tamilians Engineering. The purpose of the Kallanai was to divert the waters of the Kaveri across the fertile delta region for irrigation via canals. The dam splits the river Kaveri into 4 streams known as Kollidam Aru, Kaviri, Vennaru and Puthu Aru. It is constructed from unhewn stone spanning the Kaviri and is 329 m (1,079 ft) long, 20 m (66 ft) wide and 5.4 m (18 ft) high.