Lake & Boat House ooty

From just behind the central Bus Stand (also near the Railway station) the famous Ooty Lake stretches, in an irregular 'L' shape, for about 2.75 kms in length and varying distances in width(100m – 140m). For the curious, this lake was artificially formed by John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty, in 1823-25 by damming the mountain streams flowing down Ooty valley.

The lake which breached thrice, completely emptying itself, originally extended up to the present day market and ferries were used to get across one side to the other. The lake gradually shrunk in size giving place to the present racecourse, the bus stand and mini garden.

At the far end is the Boat House, where all kinds of boats are available for hire from eight in the morning to six in the evening. Surrounded by lofty eucalyptus trees and shrubs the lake is a scenic delight to ones from the concrete jungles. During summer seasons, in May, boat races and boat pageantry are organized for two days at the lake which draws huge crowd. In recent years the lake and the boat house have become the hub of entertainment for the visitors.

At the boat house end, there is children's park with a toy train. A deer part is located in the adjacent area. Just outside the Boat house local ponies are available for jolly rides at a charge.