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Rivers of India · Drains to the Bay of Bengal

Ponnaiyar River: source, course, dams and places

Ponnaiyar (Thenpennai) is about 500 km long (total length). It rises at Nandi hills and reaches the Bay of Bengal. A map-first summary for exam revision.

By Pradyumna Gayake · Updated · From the same data as the app’s Ponnaiyar study card

Map of the Ponnaiyar river in India, from its source to Bay of Bengal, with 2 dams and 1 places along its course. Source Krishnagiri Dam Sathanur Dam Cuddalore
The Ponnaiyar drawn from AtlasMitra’s river data. Circle: source. Diamonds: dams and barrages. Dots: places on its course. India’s boundary as per the Survey of India.

Source

The Ponnaiyar rises at Nandi hills, Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka. 12.69° N, 77.90° E

Course

Its main course runs Karnataka → Tamil Nadu, and it enters the Bay of Bengal: near Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.

Key facts

  • Called the Dakshina Pinakini
  • Tributaries include Pambar and Vaniyar.

Dams and barrages

DamWhere and what
Krishnagiri DamKrishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu.
Sathanur DamTiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu.

Places along the Ponnaiyar

PlaceNote
CuddaloreTamil Nadu · coastal city at the mouth.

Quick questions

Where does the Ponnaiyar originate?

At Nandi hills (Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka).

Where does the Ponnaiyar end?

In the Bay of Bengal (Near Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu).

How long is the Ponnaiyar?

About 500 km (total length).

Which dams are on the Ponnaiyar?

Krishnagiri Dam: Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu. Sathanur Dam: Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu.

Sources

  1. River course: Natural Earth Public domain and © OpenStreetMap contributors ODbL 1.0