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Tamil Nadu Kodaikanal Lake
The Kodaikanal Lake, also called as Kodai Lake is an artificial or manmade lake situated in the city of Kodaikanal in the district of Dindigul in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This lake is regarded as the most famous geographic landmark and a popular spot for large number of tourists. The shape of the lake is similar to a star and is located in the heart of the city with beautiful lush green surroundings of hills and the north-western range of Palani Hills range, which is the prominent watershed meant for the lake.
There was a construction of an earthen dam which took place for giving a marshy look to the lake having three streams flowing. The average rainfall experienced by the lake catchment is about 1650 mm. Climate found here is salubrious experiencing temperatures in summer to a maximum of 19.8 °C and 11.3 °C minimum whereas temperature in winters is 17.3 °C highest while minimum of 8.3 °C. At the outflow of the Lake, there is a waterfall formed of 180 foot, known as Silver Cascade which is 8 km downstream to the outlet of the lake.
History
It was in the year 1863 that Sir Vere Henry Levinge, the Madurai Collector at that time played a vital role in forming the lake in the middle of town of Kodaikanal developed by British as well as old missionaries belonging to USA.
Flora And Fauna
Flora
Kurinji, botanically called as Strobilanthes kunthiana is a unique plant which is reportedly found here in the vicinity of the lake.There are various hill-plantain fruits as well as plums found here.
Aqua Fauna
The Lake comprises of dense and moderate growth of different types of macrophytes. The lake’s littoral zone is enriched with periphytic biota related to macrophytes. Protozoans, Diatoms and rotifers are seen in the lake. Several aquatic insects be, it adult or larvae, molluscs, cladocerans along with Danio aequipinnatus fish, Gambusia affinis are also found. The major fish found here are common carp and rainbow trout. The fish yield in this lake had been 5.3 kg/ha/year in the past.
Attractions
There are few things which have been attracting the tourists for years such as a boat club, boat service and boathouse, pedaling boats as well as a public ferry meant for the public as well as tourists. There is organization of flower shows and boat Pageants which are held on regular basis during the summer season.
How to Reach
To reach Kodiakanal, there is a railway line which extends from Chennai to Tirunelveli having an intermediate station situated at Ammaianayakkanur. This road was formed in 1875, for providing a gateway to the town of Kodaikanal and then to the lake via a foot trek having railhead of 18 km. The closest railhead at present, is the railway station of Kodai Road which is 80 km distant. The Palani Railway station lies 64 km away from the town. The nearest airports are at Madurai and Coimbatore. The Kodai Lake has well connected road network having regular bus services which operates from Madurai, Kodaikanal Road, Palani, Theni, Kumili, Dindigul, Erode, Thiruchirapalli, Coimbatore and Bangalore.
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