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Punganoor Lake is the main lake of Yelagiri, the small hill station of about 1,400 metres in Tirupattur district. It sits in the middle of the plateau, close to the village of Athanavur, and most hotels and resorts are only a short drive away. For many visitors, an evening on the water here is the defining moment of a Yelagiri weekend.
The lake is man-made and modest in size, surrounded by low wooded hills, farm fields and a ring road. It has none of the grandeur of the big Nilgiris lakes, but it is calm, close and easy, which is exactly what most people come to Yelagiri for.
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Boating
The boat house on the shore rents out pedal boats and larger rowing or motor boats (the mix varies by season) for short trips on the lake. Sessions are timed, and you buy tickets at the counter by boat type. At the time of writing boating runs through the day from about 7 AM to 7 PM, but times change with the season and boating may be suspended in heavy rain or wind, so check locally.
Pedal boats are the favourite with couples and families; a boat with a boatman suits older travellers who would rather sit back. Wear the life jacket you are given, and keep children seated.
Around the lake
A walking path circles the lake and is pleasant early in the morning, when mist sometimes lies on the water and birds feed along the shore. Next to the lake there is a garden area, a small children’s park with swings and slides, a fountain and a row of shops and snack stalls. The forest department also maintains a herbal farm near the lake with medicinal plants used in Siddha and Ayurveda, according to the Tirupattur district administration.
Yelagiri also has a nature park with gardens for families, and the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) organises the Yelagiri Summer Festival in May, with flower shows, cultural programmes and stalls. The lakeside gets crowded during the festival and on long weekends.
When to go
Yelagiri is mild for most of the year. October to February brings cool, clear days and chilly nights, and March to June is warm but still more pleasant than the plains below. The lake looks fullest after the monsoon rains. At any time of year, the best hours at the lake are early morning and the last couple of hours before sunset; midday on weekends brings the longest boating queues.
Tips
- Go on a weekday if you can; Yelagiri is a popular weekend escape from Chennai and Bengaluru.
- Combine with a walk: walk part of the lakeside path before or after boating.
- Carry a light layer for the evening breeze on the water, especially in winter.
- Keep it clean: carry back plastic bottles and wrappers rather than leaving them on the shore.
More in Yelagiri
The lake makes a good base for the rest of the hills. Jalagamparai Falls lies below the hills on the Tirupattur side, or can be reached on a forest department guided trek; Swamimalai hill offers a trek with birds and butterflies along the way; and the ghat road up from the plains has 14 hairpin bends with views over the plains.
Visiting from Pondicherry
Yelagiri is about 241 km from Pondicherry, roughly 5 to 6 hours by road, either via Tiruvannamalai and Tirupattur or via Vellore and the Chennai–Bengaluru highway (NH 48), from which the ghat road climbs to the hills. It makes a relaxed two-night weekend. Our Hogenakkal and Yelagiri weekend includes the lake with a car and driver, and adds a coracle ride at Hogenakkal. For more ideas, see our weekend getaways and boating and cruises pages.
Frequently asked questions
What are the boating timings at Punganoor Lake?
At the time of writing, roughly 7 AM to 7 PM. Boating may stop in bad weather, and times can change, so check locally.
What boats are available at Punganoor Lake?
Pedal boats and larger rowing or motor boats, rented by the session from the boat house counter. The mix of boats varies by season.
Is Punganoor Lake the same as Yelagiri Lake?
Yes. Punganoor Lake is the main lake of Yelagiri, and many people simply call it Yelagiri Lake.
How far is Yelagiri from Pondicherry?
About 241 km, roughly 5 to 6 hours by road. The last stretch is a ghat road with 14 hairpin bends.
