Berijam Lake - Kodaikanal

Site Name: Berijam Lake

Site Type: Hill station, Lake, Forest

Location: 22 kms from Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu state, India

Highlights: One of the most beautiful tourist destinations located inside a forest in Kodaikanal

Nearest Railway Station: Kodai Road 

Nearest Airport: Madurai 
How to reach: Well connected by road from Kodaikanal town

Hotel: A lot of options are available in Kodaikanal and Dindigul; no option to stay in Berijam Lake unless you could get a special permission to stay in forest house

Restaurants: All options - vegetarian and non vegetarian; North Indian, Chinese, South Indian, etc. in Kodaikanal; no notable option near Berijam Lake

Your visit to Kodaikanal is incomplete without visiting Berijam Lake. Before talking about Berijam Lake, as you probably know, Kodaikanal is one of the most popular summer destinations of India. Thousands and thousands of travelers visit this popular hillstation named as 'Princess of hillstations'. It is located near Dindigul in Tamil Nadu state of India. After Ooty, it is the most visited hill resorts in Tamil Nadu state. 

Now, let us explore Berijam Lake...

Berijam Lake is a beautiful tourist attraction located inside a forest at a distance of about 22 kms from the center of Kodaikanal town. The forest department has restricted the entry to the forest between 9:30 am and 3 pm. Only limited number of vehicles are allowed to enter the forest everyday. 

There was originally a swamp in this area as recorded first in 1864 CE by Colonel Douglas Hamilton. The lake was artificially created in this area in 1867 CE. The then Madurai Collector Sir Vere Levigne donated his personal funds to create this dam. Later the reservoir was expanded. 

Berijam Lake, which acts as the source of drinking water for the nearby Periyakulam town, is one of the most beautiful sites in and around Kodaikanal. It is located at an altitude of 2094 m. The sight of this attractive lake which is surrounded by the trees and with the backdrop of hills is breathtaking. 

Not only the Berijam Lake, but the entire stretch of 4-5 kms from the forest entry point is very beautiful. There are few viewpoints from where we can get a distant sight of Berijam Lake and also the Munnar hills in Kerala. There is a valley called cap valley; in this point if we throw our cap or any other light materials into the valley, the wind brings it back to us. There is another point called as 'Madi Kettan Solai' a.k.a Meditation Forest. It is believed that few forest officials lost their consciousness and also lost their ways thanks to some particular kind of herbs in this forest. Later they were rescued. Hence, this point is called as Madi Kettan Solai which means the forest of people who lost their consciousness. 

Go to Berijam Lake if you visit Kodaikanal and bring back memorable experience.

Happy travelling.