Sothuparai Dam
A scenic reservoir near Periyakulam set against the Western Ghats with a landscaped park and fountains. It is a popular local picnic and photography spot, especially after the monsoon.
Plan Sothuparai Dam
Sothuparai Dam is planned from Periyakulam, one of the travel bases in Theni district. Use Periyakulam for stays, food and local transport, then plan this place as a focused stop.
How to visit
- Base yourself in Periyakulam or nearby in Theni, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel.
- If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.
Best time
October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.
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Sun and moon are calculated for this location and shown in IST. Photography windows are the hour around sunrise and sunset; the sunset bearing is degrees clockwise from true north. Moon phase is accurate to about half a day.
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List your placeTop experiences around Periyakulam
4 more places around Periyakulam. Open a guide to plan the visit and onward journey.

19.9 km · ~33 min by cab
A dam across the Manjalar River, a tributary of the Vaigai, that supplies irrigation to the surrounding farmland. Its calm reservoir and hill backdrop make it a quiet outing spot.
9.5 km · ~16 min by cab
A historic town at the foot of the Kodaikanal hills renowned for its mango orchards, earning it a reputation as a mango-trading centre. It serves as a base for visiting Kumbakkarai Falls and Sothuparai Dam.

A seasonal series of rock cascades and pools below the Kodaikanal hills. Confirm the currently open public entrance locally before travelling.
9.2 km · ~15 min by cab
This ancient Murugan (Balasubramanya) temple in Periyakulam is traditionally credited to the Chola king Rajendra Chola, said to have modelled the site on Kasi (Varanasi). Devotees bathe in the associated Brahma theertham, believed to have curative powers. Major festivals include Panguni Uthiram and Maha Karthigai.
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Add a nearby businessSothuparai Dam — at a glance
- Indian adult
- ₹20
Fees change without notice. Check the current rate at the counter.
Entry: Nominal park entry; parking may be charged
How to reach Sothuparai Dam
About 8 km from Periyakulam; nearest railhead Theni, nearest airport Madurai (IXM) ~55 km
If you need step-free access, contact the site before travelling. Ask about a level entrance, steps along the route, the nearest drop-off point, seating and accessible toilets.
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What’s near Sothuparai Dam
This ancient Murugan (Balasubramanya) temple in Periyakulam is traditionally credited to the Chola king Rajendra Chola, said to have modelled the site on Kasi (Varanasi). Devotees bathe in the associated Brahma theertham, believed to have curative powers. Major festivals include Panguni Uthiram and Maha Karthigai.
9.2 km · ~15 min by cab · straight lineA historic town at the foot of the Kodaikanal hills renowned for its mango orchards, earning it a reputation as a mango-trading centre. It serves as a base for visiting Kumbakkarai Falls and Sothuparai Dam.
9.5 km · ~16 min by cab · straight lineThe Subramaniar (Murugan) temple at Theertha Thotti, roughly 19 km from Theni, is regarded as one of the most important Murugan pilgrimage centres in the Theni region. It draws devotees for its temple tanks and hill setting.
12.8 km · ~21 min by cab · straight lineThe Veerappa Ayyanar temple at Allinagaram, about 3.5 km from Theni, is a well-known guardian-deity (Ayyanar) temple. Its annual festival, held around the Tamil New Year, is a major local celebration.
12.9 km · ~21 min by cab · straight lineA major dam across the Vaigai River near Andipatti that irrigates the region and supplies drinking water to Madurai. Its landscaped terrace gardens and evening water display make it a popular family outing.
16.2 km · ~27 min by cab · straight lineThis three-storey palace, also called Lakshmi Vilasam, was built by the Kambalathu Nayaka zamindars of Bodinayakanur, notably under Bangaru Tirumalai Bodi Nayaka in the mid-19th century. It contains a Darbar Hall, courtyard, horse stables and granary, and is decorated with Ramayana murals. It survives as a rare example of Polygar and zamindar-era architecture, though it is now poorly maintained.
18.1 km · ~30 min by cab · straight line
A reservoir on the Shanmuganathi River near Bodinayakanur that irrigates the surrounding agricultural belt. The dam and its foothill surroundings are visited as a local picnic destination.
18.2 km · ~30 min by cab · straight lineA bustling market town known as a major trading centre for cardamom and other hill spices, nicknamed Cardamom City. It is the Tamil Nadu gateway on the road climbing to the hills toward Munnar in Kerala.
18.3 km · ~30 min by cab · straight lineThe Gowmariamman temple at Veerapandi village, about 8 to 9 km from Theni, is one of the district's most popular Amman temples. Local tradition holds it was built by a Pandya king, Veerapandi, roughly 600 years ago. It draws large crowds during its annual festivals.
18.8 km · ~31 min by cab · straight lineThe Kamakshi Amman temple at Devadanapatti, about 19 km from Theni, is an old Amman temple dated by local tradition to the 18th century. It is known for its Maha Shivratri and Masi Magam celebrations. It serves as an important religious centre for the surrounding villages.
19.2 km · ~32 min by cab · straight line
A dam across the Manjalar River, a tributary of the Vaigai, that supplies irrigation to the surrounding farmland. Its calm reservoir and hill backdrop make it a quiet outing spot.
19.9 km · ~33 min by cab · straight lineTiger Falls is a roadside waterfall on the ghat route between Bodinayakanur and Bodi Mettu, leading toward Munnar. It is a small seasonal cascade set in forested Western Ghats terrain. It is a popular pause for travellers on the mountain road.
20.7 km · ~34 min by cab · straight lineWhere Sothuparai Dam is
Sothuparai Dam — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Sothuparai Dam?
October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.
What are the entry fee and timings at Sothuparai Dam?
Entry: Nominal park entry; parking may be charged. Timings: Roughly 09:00-18:00. The rupee figure quoted is the Indian adult rate.
How do I reach Sothuparai Dam?
Base yourself in Periyakulam or nearby in Theni, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel. If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.
How much time do I need for Sothuparai Dam?
About an hour.
What else is near Sothuparai Dam?
Nearby you can pair Periyakulam Balasubramaniar Temple (9.2 km), Periyakulam (9.5 km), Theertha Thotti Subramaniar Temple (12.8 km), Veerappa Ayyanar Temple (12.9 km).
Sothuparai Dam guides, stories & itineraries
We have not published a story about Sothuparai Dam itself yet. These cover Periyakulam and the wider district, with separate journeys between stops.
Tamil Nadu-wide guides & itineraries
Route-level itineraries and practical guides for the rest of Tamil Nadu.
Image credits
Photographs: sabareesh kkanan subramani (CC BY-SA 3.0). Wikimedia Commons.