Kodaikanal, 'Switzerland of the East', Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu

Kodaikanal Lake is a magnificent man-made lake, which spreads out in a star shape over sixty acres is a main attraction as it is set among the greenery, wonderful landscape, and the central point of Kodai. The tree-fringed lake greets everyone in the crisp early morning and is the cool heart of Kodaikanal. Boating facilities are available from two points, and the 5 km long paved circular road around it is very popular. The tourists can walk around the lake in about 45 minutes at a brisk pace.

The lake in Kodaikanal is one of the famous tourist attractions. It?s just 3 kms from the bus stand. It is situated 2285 m above the sea level and is noted for its erstwhile clean water. The Golf Club is located just 5 kms from the Kodaikanal Lake. Boating, Horse-riding, Cycling, Fishing (arranged by Fisheries Department) all these around this lake make Kodaikanal a perfect holiday resort. You can take a boat ride from the adjoining boat clubs, or just walk around, ride on horses and cycles, or sit there on one of the cement benches or on the grass, to admire the delightful sight and the wonderful colors and textures of the landscape. Ponyrides by children and adults walking around the lake are part of Kodaikanal Holiday. Today lakhs of tourists walk around, sail on, ride on horses & cycles and admire the lake. It tends to look like a 'Zoo' during the Summer weekends with day-trippers whistling, yelling, dancing and screaming from bus-tops jostling for space with other tourist vehicles. The famous Carlton hotel is facing the lake and the hotel is having their our boats for their customers.

The tree-fringed Kodaikanal lake enthralls all who come to Kodai. The lush green tress on both sides of the lake gives the impression that they are jealously guarding the lake by forming a natural fence. The deep blue lake sparkles like a jewel in the crown amidst the emerald green wooded lush slopes.

It was created in 1863, by Sir Vere Hentry Levinge (1885), a retired District Collector of Madurai at that time, from what was once a marshland. He was the man of resource and creative ideas for this lake. He reportedly spent his own money and converted the marshy land, by damming and constructing a strong bund across the valley where three streams flowed. He initially brought boats from Tuticorin for use here. It is reported that the foreign residents even used to swim in the lake in those days.

The maximum depth in the 1960s was about 11.5 m but it is now only around 9 m due to siltation. Desiltation is done once in a while by Government and NGOs. The average depth is now about 3.0 m.

Boating and Angling facilities are available at the Kodaikanal Lake. The Kodaikanal Boat Club provides Rowing Boats and Pedalling boats for hourly hire and a public ferry. There are 'luxury boats' also, but they hardly look so, except for a canopy on top. The boat club here offers several pleasure and racing trips. Both the Kodaikanal Boat and Rowing Club and Tamil Nadu Tourist Development Corporation hire similar boats for similar prices: Rs. 20 to 40 for a two-seater pedal boat to Rs. 125 (including boatman) for a Kashmiri Shikara covered gondola-like boat, which is popular amongst Honeymoon couples for 30 minutes. Boat Race and various competitions are held every year during the Summer Festival.

Fishing/Angling can also be done obtaining permission from Inspector of Fisheries, though vast majority of the crowd come here for a quick boat ride only. You will rarely see someone with all the Fishing gear.

The lake receives its fresh water fed from rainfall in the surrounding hills during North-East Monsoon months of October, November and December and also from the numerous watersheds around it.