Ponnaiyar
Ponnaiyar, 1908
(or Ponniar; the Dakshlna Pinakini or Southern Pennar). River of Southern India, which rises on Channarayan- betta, north-east of Nandidroog in the Kolar District of Mysore, and, runs through the east of Bangalore District, forming the large Jangam- kote and Hoskote tanks. Leaving Mysore to the east of Sarjapur, it flows south-east through the Salem District of Madras (where it is crossed by the Madras Railway), and, some distance north of Dhar- mapuri, turns east to South Arcot District, and falls into the sea to the north of Cuddalore. Its length in Mysore is about 50 miles, where about 86 per cent, of its water is stored for agricultural purposes.
It flows through the Madras Presidency for about 200 miles, and the area of its drainage basin is 6,200 square miles. The river is bridged near Cuddalore, and also at the point (near Panruti) where it is crossed by the South Indian Railway. Its only considerable tributary is the Pambar, which joins it on the left bank in Salem District. In South Arcot the Ponnaiyar runs in a wide sandy bed between low banks. At one time it seems to have flowed down the Malattar (' barren river '), which is now merely a small branch into which it occasionally spills, at high floods ; for ancient Tamil works speak of Tiruvennanallur, which is now on the southern bank of the Malattar, as lying on the southern edge of the Ponnaiyar. The river is very liable to sudden high freshes, and serious floods occurred in 1874, 1884, and 1898, those of 1884 being the worst. The Ponnaiyar and the neighbouring Gadilam river overflowed and joined, and for twenty-four hours their combined waters rushed through Cuddalore New Town to the sea. Thirteen arches of the bridge over the Ponnaiyar were swept away and much other damage was done.
The river is not at present utilized for irrigation on any consider- able scale until near the end of its course. The dam near Tiruk- koyilur in South Arcot waters about 24,000 acres, from which the total revenue is Rs. 93,000. Of this, about Rs. 11,000 is due to the improvements made, representing an interest of over 4 per cent, on the capital outlay. The construction of a dam higher up the river, to supply a large area in two of the upland taluks of the same Dis- trict, has been suggested.
Like other large rivers, the Ponnaiyar is sacred. It is deemed especially so in the first five days of the Tamil month of Tai, when the Ganges is said to flow into it by underground ways. Festivals are then celebrated at many of the important villages along its banks.
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
