Join hordes of locals and tourists in enjoying the peaceful environment of Kodaikanal Lake. Admire the lake’s picturesque setting while biking, boating or walking. Sit on the lake’s shore with a picnic and visit temples. Kodaikanal Lake is a manmade body of water that covers an area of 59 acres (24 hectares). Sir Vere Henry Levinge, the founder of the Kodaikanal hill station, commissioned the lake in 1863.
A popular way to discover this star-shaped lake is by renting a boat from one of the boathouses. Choose between Thondaiman Boat House at the northern tip, the Kodaikanal Boat and Rowing Club on the eastern bank and the TTDC Boat House in the southeastern corner. Have fun aboard self-driven paddleboats and rowboats or relax while an oarsman rows for you. Gaze at the tree-lined lakeshore and the backdrop of the Palani Hills.
See the lake from a different perspective by biking and walking along its shoreline. Find bars and food stands selling snacks or bring your own food and have a picnic on the grassy spaces. Allow about an hour to walk the entire circumference. Bikes and tandem bicycles are available at the Thondaiman Boat House.
Include a visit to the Lakeside Ganesh Temple on the eastern side, and the Sai Shruti Ashram, set in the hills above the western shore. Children can have fun playing on slides and swings and by taking pony rides.
Be sure to spend some time in Bryant Park, which features ornamental gardens and over 325 species of cacti, shrubs and trees. Spot colorful flower displays in the glasshouse and a eucalyptus tree that dates back to 1857. Coaker’s Walk leads from the park to the 19th-century St. Peters Church and a lookout point with wonderful lake views.
The lake is just a short walk from Kodaikanal’s city center and the Kodaikanal Bus Stand. Catch a taxi if you prefer not to walk. This is one of the few Indian cities where auto-rickshaws don’t operate. Kodaikanal Lake is a great place to visit year-round. In May it hosts a boat pageant and flower festival.
