Yercaud Lake (Emerald Lake), Yercaud
The
Yercaud Lake is undoubtedly one of the not-to-miss places to be seen in
Yercaud. Providing stunning, panoramic views of the hills and lush green lawns
of this hill station, this Lake also barges out as one of the most sought after
destinations in Yercaud. The pool, which is surrounded by gardens and well
wooded trees, provides a soothing and tranquil experience. Here, travellers can
experience everything that Yercaud and its hills have to offer. Situated in the
heart of Yercaud, the place is known for its shops and eateries that offer the
real taste of Tamilnadu.
Travellers
can have an incredible experience of gaining insight into the food and cuisine
of Tamilnadu, tasting dishes prepared with ingenious spices. This makes Yercaud
Lake, a culinary destination for epicureans. Apart from this, travellers can
also enjoy a wide range of activities, including boating. The quaint water
bodies of the lake and the picturesque beauty of the surrounding offers the
best boating experience in Yercaud. While boating in the lake, the visitors
might find it hard to resist the temptation of clicking photos of the
picture-perfect ambience. Precisely, all these facts make the Yercaud Lake one
of the best Yercaud places to visit.
Yercaud
Lake is the first attraction for a Tourist. It is a picturesque water
body surrounded by gardens and well wooded area. Boating in the cold water
of the lake is enchanting as well as refreshing. It is a pool surrounded by well-preserved
gardens and dark woods. The lake has boating facility in which both paddle
boats and oar-drawn boats are available.
The lake
is also known as emerald lake and it is the only natural lake amongst all hill
stations in the southern part of India. There is a floating fountain at the
center of lake, which was constructed by MALCO. The garden surrounding the lake
is well groomed and can be seen beautiful during the month of May when the
Summer Festival is organized.
One bank
of this lake has a beautifully manicured flower garden while the other, the
Yercaud Boathouse. This lake is perfect for families with children of different
ages as it has several activities with which they can be occupied. You can do
balloon shooting or experiment with roller balloons; enjoy boating on different
kinds of boats; or, you can even rent cycles and have a blast.
With the
boathouse just by the lake, you have the option of paddle or row boats. A local
will man the two and four seater row boats and take you for a leisurely ride in
the lake, if you are so inclined. The timings of the boat house and park are
strictly between 9a.m and 5:30p.m. The boathouse is extremely well equipped and
in the monsoons, smothered in fog, boating is a different experience altogether
- quaint as Yercaud Lake is one of the few natural lakes in the many hill
stations that dot south India. Boating and having a picnic on her banks is one
of the most enjoyable ways to spend the day when not trekking in these dense
forest hills and shoals.
The lake
is surrounded by a “Deer Park” and “leisure park” and “Tamilnadu Hotel”. Boat
services are available at a reasonable rate [Rs. 110 /- for 2 seats and Rs. 140
/- for 4 seats]. Self-Pedaling [15 min] and Rowing boats [30 min] are
available. You have to pay the same amount as caution deposit for self-pedaling
boats. The safety measures are followed strictly. The minimum time can be
spent: 20 min.
The
Natural shoal seen around the Petrol Bunk, Round Tana and adjoining the Anna
Park are about the oldest shoals of natural species of trees that one can see
around the Shevaroys. Another shoal of this type can be seen adjoining the
Orchidarium. In the interests of conservation, this last stronghold of original
trees should be preserved and replenished for the future.
