"Relax by picturesque waters surrounded by nature."
Ooty Lake has emerged as one of the foremost tourist attractions of Ooty in recent years. The Lake and the Boat House has been the major entertainment hub of the large number of tourists who flock to this beautiful hill station all throughout the year and particularly in the summer months. Ooty Lake is an artificial lake that owes its construction to the first Collector of Ooty, John Sullivan. The original intention was to construct an irrigation tank but finally the lake was dredged out in the years 1823-1825. The lake has an irregular L shape and stretches for more than 2 km in length. The width of the lake varies at regular intervals. The over all area of this well known lake that is definitely a must see on any sight seeing trip of Ooty is about one and a half square miles. Within The Scenic Nilgiri's: 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.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS : The lake covers an area of one and a half square miles, with a railway running along one bank. The lake is about 2.5-km long and 140m wide. Set among groves of Eucalyptus trees, it offers scenic beauty, as well as boating facilities. The large graveyard of St. Thomas's church, built in 1870, overlooks the lake. It has the tallest memorial of Ooty, a huge pillar surmounted by a cross, over the grave of William Patrick Adam, the Governor of Madras Presidency, who died in Ooty in 1881. Other Amusements: The Tourism Department has also opened a Boat House at this place. Pedal boats, rowing boats and mechanised boats are available at the Boat House. A mini canteen is run by the TTDC. Tourists can enjoy pony rides in front of the Boat House. 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. A Deer Park is located on the lake road and houses Sambars, Chitals and Hares, besides water birds.
