12 Largest Reservoirs in India One Can Walk Through

This is a guest post from Rohit from the blog, Trans India Travels.

A reservoir is defined as something that can hold water-literally. A storage space for fluids, can be used for control, or for diversion of waterways to desired directions, reservoirs can give all of us a lesson or two on multitasking. India is home to a large number of reservoirs, 91 to be precise, artificial and a lot of them quite large and useful. There’s one thing in common, though- all of them are top notch tourist attractions.

1. Indira sagar Dam

Photo by Nvvchar, CC BY-SA 3.0

India’s biggest reservoir, the Indira sagar Dam was founded by-you guessed it-the late Indira Gandhi, and is located in Khandwa and is one of the must visit destinations of Madhya Pradesh. It contributes to water control and supply of hydroelectric power. To know more about Madhya Pradesh and its tourist places, see: http://www.transindiatravels.com/madhya-pradesh/tourist-places-to-visit-in-madhya-pradesh/

2. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

Photo by Sumanthk, Public Domain

This dam is very famous in Andhra Pradesh, more accurately in controversial erstwhile AP-constituent Telangana, is the country’s second largest reservoir. It played an unforgettable role in the Green Revolution, and now serves to solve irrigation and water shortage problems India-wide. Some of the most famous places in Andhra Pradesh are Vishakapatnam, Tirupati and Vijayawada. To plan your itinerary for this place, consider: http://www.transindiatravels.com/andhra-pradesh/tourist-places-to-visit-in-andhra-pradesh/

3. Shanti Sagar

Photo by Siddarth.P.Raj, CC BY-SA 3.0

Located in Karnataka, this is Asia’s second largest irrigation tank, and boasts of tourism showcasing Aqueducts and the famous Siddheswara Temple. It historically belonged to a submerged city with an heirless king.

4. Gobind Sagar

Photo by Hiteshsamm, CC BY-SA 4.0

This dam was named after Guru Gobind Singh and is quite powerful much like its namesake- its one of the highest gravity dams in the world! It offers a range of water sports for adventurous souls, located in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. If you are planning your family trip to Himachal this summer, visit all the famous places there:

http://www.transindiatravels.com/himachal-pradesh/tourist-places-to-visit-in-himachal-pradesh/

5. Sriram Sagar Project

Photo by Rizwanmahai, CC BY-SA 3.0

This next contender is located in sensational new Telengana and has quite an achievement under its belt- being a lifeline for aforementioned state. It was founded by erstwhile Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

6. Stanley Reservoir

Photo by Praveen Kumar.R, CC BY-SA 3.0

This reservoir stands out as the single one of its kind- being actually formed by another reservoir. Created by the Mettur Dam, it is the largest of its species in South India, existing in Kaveri, Tamil Nadu.

7. Srisailam Dam

Photo by Gladiatorkp, CC BY-SA 3.0

One more entrant from Andhra Pradesh, this dam resides in a temple city, a top draw for religious and spirituality-seeking tourists. It is the second largest energy generating dam in India, constructed along the Krishna river.

8. Minimata Hasdeo Bango

This reservoir is located in the Korba district or Chattisgarh, and has quite a quirky name that catches one’s fancy. It is used mainly for irrigation purposes and consists of spillway structures.

9. Subansiri Lower Dam

Here’s another dead ringer for the controversy bugle- this dam remains under construction along the Subansiri river on the Assam-Arunachal border, and what makes it all the more alluring is the aura of problematic diplomacy that just seems to surround it on all sides.

10. Somasila

This reservoir of water has an unusual feature attached to it- it shares its name with an island. Lying along the Penna river in Andhra Pradesh, it is the biggest reservoir on that river, apart from being a major hydroelectrics contributor.

11. Hirakud Reservoir

Photo by IR.K.KHANNA, CC BY 3.0

This dam alone receives the prominent distinction of being the largest man-made reservoir on planet Earth. It is stretched across the Mahanadi river in Sambalpur, its tourist-attracting in Orissa, quotient is upped by the fishing and irrigation choices its backwaters afford.

To know more about tourist places in Orissa, visit: http://www.transindiatravels.com/orissa/tourist-places-to-visit-in-orissa/

12. Balimela Reservoir

Looks like some lists receive always more than their due share of scandal-mongering. Rounding off this list is the Balimela reservoir in Odisha, or Orissa, which suffered a boat-attack incident from Maoist forces. It is a joint undertaking of the states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

Eco-tourism urges are on the rise, as are demands for straying from the beaten track, mixed with a liberal dosage of adventure for good measure. All of this produces a tourist who willingly stumbles upon destinations which are big on out of the way attractions like dams and backwater fishing. Gone are the days of castles and balconies drawing the crowds in. In what is hopefully a comprehensive list, the picture of reservoir tourism is India has been brought to light, and offers solutions for fitting every sort of wanderlust-driven soul.

Author Bio:

Rohit is a blogger at TransIndiaTravels.com. His love for ancient architecture and unexplored places make him travel the most fascinating destinations of India and across the world.