Upper Bhavani Lake, Ooty, Nilgiris

Upper Bhavani Lake, Ooty, Nilgiris

Upper Bhavani Lake is situated near Ooty Hill Station in Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu. This is a beautiful blue-green lake perched inside the deep forest of Nilgiri. This is one of the last few places in country, still protected well from the insensible common tourist and is a must visit for anyone who admires nature in its raw beauty. It is actually the backwater of Upper Bhavani Dam. The route is replete with sholas trees and the entire area is a wildlife habitat.

Tourists can go for trekking from Bangithapal through Sispara to the Silent Valley. For trekking in this region, it is necessary to get permission from the forest department. There is a huge dam on this lake, which is the major source of water for the nearby regions. The entire region of Upper Bhavani, which gets over 5000 mm of annual rainfall, is dominated by the sholas and wattle plantations. This place is the perfect location for hiking, and trekking.

With the reservoir in the backdrop, there is TNEB guest house in Upper Bhavani for overnight stays. Tourists should get TNEB permission for staying in their guest house. There are 2 suites, charge is 500 rupees per room. a Cook is available for cooking with the available rations. Foods will be provided at extra cost. Visitors should note that as the lake is situated in the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve, prior permission is needed from the forest office in Ooty.

Private vehicles are not allowed into the Sanctuary and visitors have to take Forest Department mini bus for a 2 hours ride into the Sanctuary, covering Lake, Bhavani Temple and Hydro power plant. The bus starts from Forest Department Check Post 3 Kms before the Avalanche Lake. The buses are run between 9 AM to 3 PM (2 hours ride) at specific intervals. It is advised to take the 9 AM bus to have better chances of wildlife sighting. Jeeps are also available for a group of 8 people.

Upper Bhavani Lake is located at about 24 Kms from Avalanche Lake, 30 Kms from Emerald Lake, 54 Kms from Ooty, 55 Kms from Ooty Bus Stand, 56 Kms from Ooty Railway Station, 62 Kms from Coonoor, 79 Kms from Kotagiri, 87 Kms from Mettupalayam Railway Station, 114 Kms from Coimbatore and 125 Kms from Coimbatore Airport.

Location

Ooty Lake, Nilgiris

Ooty Lake, Nilgiris

Ooty lake is located in Ooty Town in the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu, India. It covers an area of 65 acres. The Boat house situated by the lake, which offers boating facilities to tourists, is a major tourist attraction in Ooty. It is one of South India’s biggest artificial lakes. The lake bunds of this lake had been breached and the lake emptied three times after its formation.

The beautiful Ooty Lake is a favourite haunt of tourists. It was constructed in the year 1825, through the initiatives of Mr. John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore. This lake was built in order to provide an irrigation tank to the people. Although the lake is artificial, it looks beautifully natural.

This lake ranks among the top polluted lakes in a study conducted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board sometime earlier and the Government is taking necessary steps to improve the quality of water in the lake. The maximum length of Ooty Lake is 2.5 kilometers and the maximum breadth of the Ooty lake is 140 meters.

History

Ooty lake is an artificial lake constructed by John Sullivan, in 1824. The water flowing down mountain streams in the Ooty valley was dammed to form the lake. The lake became empty on three occasions when it breached its bund. The lake was originally intended to be used for fishing with ferries being used to travel across the lake. It gradually shrunk from its original size giving place to the current bus stand race course, and the lake park. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation on behalf of the Tourism Department took the possession of the lake in 1973. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation provided boating facilities and organizes boat races and boat pageants here.

The Lake

Ooty Lake covers an area of 65 acres. It is one of South India’s biggest artificial lakes. The maximum length of Ooty Lake is 2.75 Kms and the maximum breadth of the Ooty lake is 140 meters. This lake stretches from the central bus stand, in an irregular ‘L’ shape. The lake is surrounded by groves of Eucalyptus trees with a railway line running along one shore. During the summer season in May, boat races and boat pageantry are organised for two days.

The lake has had continuous problems with rapidly proliferating weeds (water hyacinth). The officials of the Public Works Department(PWD), have been continually working to clean the lake of the weeds. According to a study conducted by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Ooty lake is the most polluted water body in the state and its water is not fit for potable purposes.

Boat House:

The boat house, which adjoins the lake was opened by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). Boating is the prime attraction at the lake. The boat house offers boating facilities with Paddle boats, Row boats, and Motor boats. A mini canteen is run by the TTDC. Tourists can enjoy pony rides in front of the Boat House. During the summer season in May, boat races and boat pageantry are organized for two days. Visitors can use boating facilities from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Entry Fees:

·        Rs 10 per person for Indians

·        Rs 560 per person For Foreigners

·        Rs 30 for Still Camera

·        Rs 125 for Video Camera

·        Rs 200 for 4-seater pedal boat for 30 minutes

·        Rs 160 for 2-seater pedal boat for 30 minutes

·        Rs 180 for 2-seater row boat for 30 minutes

·        Rs 450 for 8-seater motor boat for 20 minutes

Mini Garden:

On the way to the Boat House is the Mini Garden housing the children's amusement park. A mini children's train is an added attraction near the lake.

Deer Park:

A Deer Park is located on the lake road and houses Sambars, Chitals and Hares, besides water birds.

Connectivity

Ooty Lake is located at about 2 Kms from Ooty Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Ooty Railway Station, 22 Kms from Coonoor, 32 Kms from Kotagiri, 53 Kms from Mettupalayam Railway Station, 86 Kms from Coimbatore and 97 Kms from Coimbatore Airport. Ooty is well connected to Coimbatore, Kerala and Karnataka.

Location | Photos

Marlimund Lake, Ooty, Nilgiris

Marlimund Lake, Ooty, Nilgiris

Marlimund Lake is located in picturesque Nilgiris Hills near Ooty Town in Ooty Taluk of Nilgiris District of Tamilnadu. It is a small reservoir situated to the North West of Ooty. It provides the drinking water to Ooty Town. It is prohibited for the public and tourists. If the police find you visiting this spot, they can penalize you, but they mostly let you go with a warning asking you to leave immediately.

Marlimund Lake is located at about 6 Kms from Ooty Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Ooty, 6 Kms from Ooty Railway Station, 23 Kms from Coonoor, 33 Kms from Kotagiri, 54 Kms from Mettupalayam Railway Station and 94 Kms from Coimbatore Airport. Private Taxis are available from Ooty and Coonoor to reach this place.

Location

Emerald Lake, Ooty, Nilgiris

Emerald Lake, Ooty, Nilgiris

Emerald Lake is located near Emerald village in Ooty Taluk in the Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu. It is situated in the upper plateau region of the Nilgiri hills. It is a part of the silent valley. Equally visited for the flora and fauna around it, Emerald Lake is a favourite spot for picnics. Tourists from Ooty often throng to the lake to soak in the natural beauty that's splattered all around.

Surrounded by tea plantations and acres of Rolling Meadows, Emerald Lake is a great place for the lovers of photography. You might also come across Ornithologists here, for the lake and the adjoining area teems with exotic species of birds. Needless to say, the lake also boasts of a humongous variety of fish. You can also go bird watching, trekking, biking or a simple stroll by the lake. 

It is also notable for the scenic sun rise and sun set views near the lake. The lake is surrounded by tea plantations where visitors can buy tea products. Emerald Lake also has a small dam that caters to the area around Emerald Lake. As it is a prohibited area you can't go near to the lake but from the mountain, you can see the beautiful view of it. Beautiful view and an excellent place for photography.

In the summer from March to May the temperature will be between 25°C and 10°C and in winter the temperature maintains between 21°C and 5°C. Rains hit the Ooty hills between June and September. The best time to visit Emerald Lake is any time during the year but ideally it is more fun during April to June and September to November.

Connectivity

Emerald Lake is located at about 19 Kms from Ooty, 20 Kms from Ooty Bus Stand, 21 Kms from Ooty Railway Station, 37 Kms from Coonoor, 50 Kms from Kotagiri, 69 Kms from Mettupalayam Railway Station, 103 Kms from Coimbatore and 115 Kms from Coimbatore Airport. Visitors should note that as the lake is situated in the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve, prior permission is needed from the forest office in Ooty.

Private vehicles are not allowed into the Sanctuary and visitors have to take Forest Department mini bus for a 2 hours ride into the Sanctuary, covering Emerald Lake, Avalanche Lake, Upper Bhavani Dam, Bhavani Temple and Hydro power plant. The bus starts from Forest Department Check Post. The buses are run between 9 AM to 3 PM (2 hours ride) at specific intervals. It is advised to take the 9 AM bus to have better chances of wildlife sighting. Jeeps are also available for a group of 8 people.

Location