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Veeranam Lake
The opening chapter of the book Ponniyin Selvan, authored by Kalki Krishnamurthy, is set on the banks of the Veera Narayana Lake. The author gives an elaborate description of the features of the Veeranam Lake: A Historical Reservoir in Tamil Nadu with a Catchment Area of 25 km and the way multiple rivers flow into the lake.
![](https://encryptedpast.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ponninyn_selvn_book.jpeg)
Kalki used real locations and real events to breath life into the characters he created, for instance in the book, he gives a charming description of a lake where the chola princess kundavai, like to refresh herself. he goes on to narrate the history of that lake. that part is not fiction.
![](https://encryptedpast.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/kundavai-1024x612.jpg)
Veeranam Lake, also known as Veeranarayanapuram Lake, is a reservoir located in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. The lake is situated 14 km south-southwest of Kattumannarkoil and 235 km from Chennai. It is one of the oldest and largest water reservoirs in Tamil Nadu, with a catchment area of 25 km. The lake has a capacity of storing about 1,465 million cubic feet of water.
Veeranam Lake History:
The lake was built in the 10th century during the time of Greater Cholas (907–955 CE) by Rajaditya Chola with his soldiers when they had camped at Thirumunaipadi for a war against Pallava kings. The lake was originally named Veeranarayana Mangalam lake and was about 20 km long and 7 km wide. The lake gets water from Kollidam via Vadavaru River. The lake stays dry for the important a part of the year. Water released from the Mettur dam through Kollidam and Lower Anicut would also bring in sufficient inflow into the Veeranam Lake.
![](https://encryptedpast.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/veeranam-lake.jpeg)
Article By: Snaya Singh