Hanging Marvel: Mathur Aqueduct

From my childhood, I used to hear this bridge is the longest and highest trough bridge in South Asia. Now, I wanted to confirm it online as well as offline.

Surfed Internet for the fact and found "Citation Needed" in Wikipedia. Left with no choice, I decided to visit the place by myself (Being a local, I have visited the bridge 'n' number of times without any interest)

I took a bike ride to the place where the bridge is located. Planned to visit the place early in the morning with mist, so that I can capture more videos with natural effects. Being one of a lazy being, went to the place only after Sun literally started burning everything on its way.

Mathur Aqueduct

Mathur(Mathoor) Aqueduct or Mathur Hanging Trough is an aqueduct located in the Kalkulam Taluk of Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu State. It takes its name from Mathur, a hamlet near the aqueduct.

This engineering marvel was constructed in 1966 by then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Kamarajar as a drought relief measure and for agricultural development across the Pahrali River (also called Parazhiyar). It is literally carrying water from one hill to another with the help of 7.5 ft wide trough which runs for One kilometer. 28 concrete spans hold strong the bridge with the maximum height of span being 115 feet, that makes the bridge a bit altitudinous structure.

View from the centre of the bridge

On moving to the centre of the bridge, view from the top will be immaculate. Vast expanse of greenery combined with the hills of western ghats fill up your camera lens. Unpolluted Parazhiyar meanders below the bridge completes the serene view from the top.

The whole surrounding looks tranquil being free from noise pollution and air pollution dotted with the sound of nature. To my bad luck, there was no water flowing through the trough. We got down from the bridge through the stairs to get a great view of the bridge. This shows how magnificent the structure is and it makes us appreciate the structure for its engineering marvel.

Pahrali River (Parazhiyar)

Once down the bridge, one could enjoy the blue and clean waters of Parazhiyar. Tourists are free to bath in the river although it is not advisable to do in the monsoon season.

Both sides of the bridge are accompanied by a series of steps which lead our way to the bottom of the bridge.

Even on finishing my blog, I don't know whether this bridge is the longest and highest trough bridge in South Asia. But I am sure this is an Engineering marvel that is way ahead of its time. Yes, my hometown is a heaven of wonders and Mathur Aqueduct is one among them.

How to Reach?

By Road: 70 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram and 55 Kms from Kaniyakumari

By Train: Nearest Railway Station Kulitturai (KZT) which is 15 km away

By Air: Nearest Airport Thiruvananthapuram Airport which is 70 km away

Directions:

Points to Remember:

1. Don't try to do any stunts in the name of Photograhy

2. As the bridge is at a height of 115 ft, people with acrophobia must take care

3. Since the place is exposed to the elements, if you reach here in the afternoon, you will feel the sun all over your body

4. Don't try to pollute the river beneath the bridge

What to See?

1. View of the bridge from the ground

2. Scenic view of the surrounding from the center of the bridge

What to do?

1. One Km walk through the Trough Bridge

2. Bath in the Parazhiyar

3. Enjoy nature in its pristine form

4. Photography

What to taste?

1. Will find local shops selling Pine apple (which is locally harvested in hilly areas), Ice apple and tender coconut

2. Shops selling beverages (Non alcoholic)

What to Shop?

1. One can buy pineapple (cultivated in the wild), which is a famous thing to shop around

Nearest Attractions:

1. Thirpparappu Waterfalls: 10 Km

2. Perunchani Dam: 12 Km

3. Padmanaabapuram Palace: 14 Km

4. Peachipparai Dam: 15 Km