Mathur Hanging Trough - Kanyakumari

Matur Hanging Bridge 

Mathur Hanging Bridge or Mathur Aqueduct or Mathur Hanging Trough is an aqueduct built between two villages for irrigation purposes. Its is located in Mathurr , a village in Kalkulam Thaluk Kanyakumari. The aqueduct was built over the Pahrali River. Pahrali River is also called as Parazhiyar. The Hanging Trough took the name from the place where it was built. Apart from its unique beauty it also the recrord of highest (115 feet) and the longest hanging bridge not only in India but also in Asia, with a length of around 1 km.

From the center of the Aqueduct, one can see a vast expanse of greenery, with rolling hills of the Western Ghats in the background, and the meandering Pahrali river flowing below. Peaceful atmosphere when accompanied by mesmerizing nature, creates a setting that will leave you awe struck.

Purpose of Mathur Hanging Bridge

Mathoor Aqueduct was constructed in 1966 by the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,Honorable Chief Minister Kamarajar , as a drought relief measure across the river Pahrali. Its purpose is to carry water for irrigation from an elevated level of one hill to another. The irrigation water feeds the taluks of Vilavancode and Kalkulam.

Construction

The aqueduct is built across the Parali river, a small river that originates in the Mahendragiri Hills of the Western Ghats. Mathoor Aqueduct itself carries water of the Pattanamkal canal for irrigation over the Parali, from one hill to another, for a distance of close to one kilometer. This aqueduct is needed because of the undulating land terrain of the area, which is also adjacent to the hills of the Western Ghats.

A view from Mathur Aqueduct

Mathur Aqueduct is a concrete structure supported by 28 huge pillars, the maximum height of the pillars reaching 115 ft. The trough structure is 7 ft in height, with a width of 7.5 ft. The trough is partly covered with concrete slabs, allowing people to walk on the bridge and to see the water going through the trough. Some of the pillars are set in rocks of the Pahrali river, though some of the pillars are set in hills on either side.

There is road access to one end of the aqueduct and to the foot of the aqueduct (the level where the Pahrali flows) on the opposite side. There is a huge flight of stairs, made more recently, that allows one to climb from the level of the Pahrali river to the trough.

Tourist Season

Tourist can visit the Aqueduct throughout the year, except February to May. Since there is no rainfall during summer, so water for irrigation was stopped during that period.

Ariel View - Matur Hanging Trough

Local administration has built a Children Park to make the visitors relax with their loved ones. Now you can easily walk down to the children park or the view tower via this staircase.

Mathur Aqueduct Visiting Time

Day                    Timings
Monday          7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Tuesday          7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Wednesday     7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Thursday        7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday             7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday         7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday           7:00 am – 7:00 pm

How to Reach Matur Aqueduct

By Air

Nearest Airport : Thiruvananthapuram Airport. Mathur Hanging Bridge can be reached by bus or train from Thiruvananthapuram.

By Train

Kuzhithurai Junction. Mathoor Hanging Bridge is 14 Kms from here which can be reached by an Auto /Taxi .
Nagercoil Junction - 28 Kms from Nagercoil to Matur


By Road

28 Kms from Nagercoil
48 Kms from Kanniyakumari
52 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram Airport