Kolleru Lake, Ramsar protected lake in Andhra Pradesh, India

Kolleru Lake is a wetland between two river deltas in eastern Andhra Pradesh. The lake covers a wide area of shallow freshwater that serves as an important water reservoir in the region.

Copper plates from the 15th century document the importance of the area for local rulers in earlier centuries. Different dynasties controlled the territory and used the water for their administration.

Kolletikota's Peddintlamma Temple, built by Eastern Ganga monarchs, holds a deity over nine feet tall seated in the lotus posture with wide eyes, drawing pilgrims from Odisha, Assam and Tamil Nadu. Each year from the first day of Palguna to the full moon, the goddess is married to Jaladurga at the nearby Gokarneshwaraswami shrine.

Several canals connect the water body with surrounding rivers and bring additional water during monsoon season. Water levels change with the seasons, with the extent varying according to rainfall.

During winter months, millions of migratory birds arrive from distant regions, including species from Siberia and Central Asia. The birdlife includes pelicans, storks, and numerous waterfowl that find food and rest here.