Situated right in the middle of the Kodaikanal, also known as ‘Princess of Hill Stations’, Kodaikanal Lake was built in 1863 and is thus considered a man-made marvel. If you plan a trip to South India, do not miss adding Kodaikanal Lake to your list of must-visit places. This star-shaped lake has a unique charm that gets surreal because of its crystal blue water and the surrounding green meadows. Just read on to get all the necessary information about Kodaikanal Lake, including its history, things to do in it, top places to visit near it, and the best time to see it.
Kodaikanal Lake: India’s Only Star-Shaped Lake
Image Credit: Ranjithsiji for Wikimedia Commons
Popular as Kodai Lake among the locals of Kodaikanal City, Kodaikanal Lake is one of the best weekend getaways to unwind and loosen up amid the serene atmosphere of the lake and the green landscapes in the surroundings. It is an artificial lake made by Vera Levinge. A former British officer of Madurai who settled in Kodaikanal after retirement. He was the key man who proposed building a lake on marshy land. He even used his own money for this purpose. Today, the lake is located at a height of 2285 m above ocean level and with a typical depth of 3.0 m.
This lake is the most easily accessible tourist destination in Kodaikanal, as it is just 3 km away from the Kodai Bus Stand. One exciting thing about Kodai Lake is its star shape, which depicts excellence and adds to its charm. You can unwind after a hectic week and make the most of your outing by boating on the lake.
Also Read: Places To Visit In Kodaikanal
History Of Kodaikanal Lake
Image Credit: Vivek Ravichandran for Wikimedia Commons
The Kodaikanal Lake is the result of the dedication of Sir Vere Hendry Levinge, the District collector of Madurai at that time. After his retirement in 1863, he started living in Kodaikanal and devised the idea for this lake. He spent all his savings on it and converted a marshy land into a delightful lake by damming three streams into a valley.
He supplied the lake with different local fish species to make it more natural. The first boat for Kodaikanal Lake was purchased from Tuticorin. Many foreign inhabitants used to swim in this lake, which is the core of Kodaikanal. Next, the Kodaikanal Boat Club was formed in 1890, and various boats were accessible for enlistment. This beautiful star-shaped lake attracts many tourists from different places worldwide who come to see the scenic beauty around it.
Flora And Fauna Of Kodaikanal Lake
Image Credit: Ezhilan Stark for Wikimedia Commons
Though Kodaikanal Lake is a manmade lake in Kodaikanal, it houses a fantastic variety of flora and fauna, making it a significant tourist attraction. Several different types of aqua plants and fish live in the lake, adding significance to its existence.
One of the major plants found in this lake is Kurinji (Strobilanthes Cynthiana), and this is not some ordinary aqua plant; in fact, it is an extraordinary blooming plant that blooms once every 12 years. Some popular fish found in Kodaikanal Lake are Rainbow Trout and Common Carp. Many tourists visit Kodaikanal just to catch a glimpse of these water beauties.
Related Post: Things To Do In Kodaikanal
Top Place See Around Kodaikanal Lake
Find the best places to explore this Scenic lake for a breathtaking view.
1. Bear Shola Falls
Image Credit: Nijumania for Wikimedia Commons
Nestled amidst the dense forests filled with melodious chirpings of birds, Bear Shola Falls is one of the famous picnic spots in Kodaikanal. This is one of the must-visit places near Kodaikanal Lake, where bears frequently visit to drink water, hence this name. This place is surrounded by the dense forests of Western Ghats, where you can spot monkeys and deer living in the wild. The lack of commercialization and slanting terrain around the Shola Falls makes it the perfect place for trekking in Kodaikanal. If you want to see this waterfall fully, you should come here during the monsoon.
Location: 3.6 km away from the Lake
Timings: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
2. Dolphin’s Nose
Image Credit: ACKSEN for Wikimedia Commons
If you want the best bird’s eye view of Kodaikanal, what can be a better place than this protruding rock shaped like a dolphin’s nose at 6,600 feet? To get to this cliff, you need to cover a 3-km trek through the Palani Hill Range, and you can also explore a waterfall and a local village. Once reaching the top at Dolphin’s Nose, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the rugged terrain, plunging valleys, clear skies, and green landscapes.
Location: 5.5 km away from the Lake
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Related Post: Best Resorts In Kodaikanal
3. Green Valley View Point
Image Credit: Ramkumar for Wikimedia Commons
The unique thing about Green Valley View Point is that it is also as popular among tourists as Suicide Point, as it is a dangerous valley that is quite dense and deep. This is one of the famous tourist spots near the Lake that offers a breathtaking view of the plains, deep valleys and hills. From this point, you get to see a spectacular view of Vaigai Dam, which will stun you. This tourist attraction in Kodaikanal is not only famous for its greenery but is also surrounded by a lot of monkeys that are also interesting to watch. You can take an auto-rickshaw, taxi or bus to reach Green Valley View Point from Kodaikanal Bus Stand, located at a distance of 5.5 km from the viewpoint.
Location: 5.3 km away from the Lake
Timings: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Best Time To Visit
Image Credit: KARTY JazZ for Wikimedia Commons
Are you visiting Kodaikanal for a holiday? Make sure you do it in the summer season. The best time to visit Kodaikanal Lake and its surrounding areas is in summer, between April and June, when the weather is pleasant, and you can enjoy the activities here. During this season, you can also participate in the flower show held in the lake.
Another good season to visit Kodaikanal Lake would be during the monsoon season, as sightseeing in Kodaikanal has become very dreamy. However, all the activities are almost stopped due to slippery slopes—winters in Kodaikanal look spectacular as the monsoon leaves everything fresh and green behind. There is mist all around, and boating on the Lake will be a beautiful experience.
Timings: 6:00 am to 5:00 pm
Related Post: Places Near Kodaikanal
How To Reach
By road: The best way to reach Kodaikanal Lake is by taking a bus to the Kodaikanal bus stand, 3 km away from Kodai Lake. You can hire a taxi to the lake to reach the bus stand. Other than this, you can also take an auto-rickshaw according to your convenience.
By train: The next alternative way to reach Kodaikanal Lake would be by train. The nearest railway station, Kodai Road Railway Station, is 90 km away. A drive of 2-3 hours is all it takes to reach the Lake from Kodai Road Railway Station.
By air: If we talk about the third way to reach Kodaikanal Lake, the nearest airport is Madurai Airport, which is 120 km away. Take a bus or hire a cab from the airport to Kodaikanal Lake.
You May Also Like To Read: Offbeat Places In Kodaikanal
Visit this picturesque place in Kodaikanal to soak in the beauty of nature and delve deep into the flora and fauna around it. A perfect place to unwind on the weekend after a hectic week of work and city life, Kodaikanal Lake offers terrific, refreshing scenic beauty for nature lovers. The forests surrounding it serve as a home to other wildlife creatures. After reading this article, you would have decided to plan a trip to Tamil Nadu to witness the beauty of this lake with your own eyes.
For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.
Cover Image Credit: Srinivasan for wikimedia commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Kodaikanal Lake
What is so special about Kodaikanal Lake?
The Kodaikanal Lake is famous among tourists for its majestic beauty all thanks to north-western Palani Hills that surrounds the lake. The Lake is rich in a variety of flora and fauna with different species of fish and aquatic plants.
What is the history of Kodaikanal?
Earlier, Kodaikanal was used as a hill station for the administrative officers of the British army to stay during the summer. Kodaikanal was established in 1845 by British civil servants.
Is Kodaikanal Lake man-made?
Kodaikanal Lake is a man-made lake, located in Kodaikanal city Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu. Also known as Kodai Lake, it was made by Sir Vere Hendry Levinge, who used to be the District collector of Madurai.
Is boating allowed in Kodaikanal Lake?
Yes, you can go boating in Kodaikanal Lake. Boating is the major tourist attraction. And there is also a boat club in Kodaikanal which offers various kinds of boats on rent for making your boating experience on Kodaikanal Lake memorable.
What is unique about Kodaikanal?
Kodaikanal, also known as Princess of Hills, has an elevation of around 7,000 feet above sea level. All thanks to the serene beauty of Kodaikanal, it is considered amongst the most beautiful hill stations in TamilNadu.
People Also Read:
Jaisamand Lake Chillika Lake Tani Jubbar Lake
Unveil the hidden treasures of the globe and turn every travel dream into reality. As a Content Writer, I am passionate enough to craft stories from ancient wonders to modern marvels. My words paint the picture-perfect itinerary for unforgettable experiences. Let my words be your trusted guide to immerse in the diverse culture and discover the beauty of the unknown.
