Kodaikanal Lake, Star-shaped artificial lake in Kodaikanal, India.
Kodaikanal Lake is an artificial body of water with a distinctive star-like outline, covering around 60 acres at an elevation of 2285 meters. The surrounding landscape features green hills that form part of the Palani mountain range to the northwest.
Sir Vere Henry Levinge, Collector of Madurai, created the lake in 1863 by damming a marsh where three streams flowed, within the hill town developed by the British and American missionaries. In 1875 a railway line from Chennai to Tirunelveli with a station at Ammaianayakkanur (later Kodai Road) opened access, followed by an 18 km foot trek to the lake.
Boat Pageant and Flower Shows are held on the lake each summer, drawing visitors to its shore. The boat club, boathouse and boat service run rowing boats, pedal boats and a public ferry, and Bryant Park sits beside the water. The lake is central to Kodaikanal town, which British and American missionary settlers developed.
The boat club offers rowing and pedal boats for rent, allowing visitors to explore the water from different perspectives. A paved road encircling the lake provides an easy walking route for those who prefer to stay on land.
The lake's outflow forms Silver Cascade, a waterfall 60 metres high located 8 km downstream of the lake outlet. The catchment around the lake is also home to Kurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a plant that blooms once in 12 years and last flowered in 2004.
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