Not a single bollywood movie would be complete without a song being picturized with the hero and heroein boating in Ooty Lake. The lake is an artificial lake built by the founder of Ooty John Sullivan, in 1823-25 by blocking the rainwater streaming from the hills into the valley. The lake situated behind the main bus stand is in an “L” shape and about 2 .7 km in length and the breadth varies from 100 to 140 meters spread over an area of over 65 acres. In summer, which is the peak season for tourists in the valley boat races and pageantry are organized for two days.
Ooty lake is flanked by hills covered with houses, pine trees covered hills, a small deer park and the boat house. Variety of water birds like Egrets, Cormorants are seen fishing or basking in the sun.
Many kinds of boats are available for hire at the boathouse run by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. Many shops and restaurants are also part of the boat house. There is an amusement park, which is according to me an eye sore near the boat house. The toy train though is a delight. It runs along side the lake.
As you exit from the lake, there is a small nursery selling plants. The succulents available here are good and cheap. Most of the plants for my cactus garden were bought from this nursery.
Horse riding is part of the experience of visiting the lake. The handsome horses some of them retired from racing now happily take tourists for a ride. Small fruit stalls set up near the parking lot sell exotic fruits, flowers and vegetables. Bite into crunchy baby carrots or taste the passion fruit or rambutan.
A thread garden exhibition across the road from the lake is worth a visit. A children park is situated next to the lake.
Place Statistics:
Type of Place: Lake
Situated: Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Distance: Very near to Railway Station and Bus Stand
Transport: Well connected by road, local private van and buses stop near the lake
Facilities: Hotels, restaurants, rest room available.
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