The visitors to the Siruvani Dam also get to enjoy a jungle safari and a stay at the Patiyyar Bungalow, deep inside the forest. Trekking enthusiasts can visit here from 9am to 3pm. Nowadays private vehicles are also allowed inside the forest. The Siruvani dam construction began in the year 1927. It was an extremely difficult task because of the terrestrial position and the disturbance from the wild animals. The construction workers were made to stay at Iruttupalam instead of the dam site. At the beginning, it was a small dam with only 23 feet height, made with an expense of Rs.2,17,725. Later the height of the dam was increased to 57 metres after an agreement was signed between the governments of Kerala and Tamilnadu. The length of the dam is 224 metres now. The construction went on for many years up to 1984. Though thedam is situated in Kerala, the water from it is used by Tamilnadu. A 3km drive from the bungalow will take you to the Kerala-Tamilnadu border. This place is known as Keralamedu. There are check posts next to this region on both sides. We can see many wild animals like elephant, tiger, deer and bison roaming near the check posts. From the Tamilnadu check post one can see the Coimbatore town very well. A 30km drive through the Tamilnadu forest from Keralamedu will take you to Coimbatore town. If you are a nature lover, a stay at the Patiyyar Bungalow is a must. It is an amazing experience, one that cannot be explained in words. A trekking from the bungalow to the deep forest will take your breath away with the fascinating scenic beauty of the forest
