The dam was constructed by Kongu chieftain Kalingarayan Gounder.[2] It is one of the ancient River linking projects in Tamil Nadu and was undertaken to establish a link between Bhavani and Noyyal rivers. The project including construction of the dam and canal started in 1271 and was completed in 1283.[3]
This irrigation project involved the construction of a barrage to divert the water to Kalingarayan Canal. The dam and the canal irrigates approximately 15,743 acres (6,371 ha) of agricultural land.[4] In 2016, Government of Tamil Nadu undertook development works to strengthen the dam's embankments by concrete plugging.[5]