Kodaikanal Lake

Creation and Early Development

• 1863: Sir Vere Henry Levinge retired and settled in Kodaikanal, using his own funds and ideas to transform the marshland into a 24-hectare lake.

• Stocking and Boating: Levinge stocked the lake with fish and brought Kodaikanal's very first boat all the way from Tuticorin (Thoothukudi).

• 1890: The Kodaikanal Boat Club was officially established to manage recreational activities.

Growth into a Landmark

• 1910: A new permanent boathouse was constructed on the shore.

• 1932: Boat services were officially opened for general public and tourist use.

• Design: The 5-kilometer circumference lake serves as the central geographic heart of Kodaikanal, surrounded by the green slopes of the Palani Hills.