Kaliveli Lake

About Kaliveli Lake

Kaliveli Lake is a coastal lake in the Viluppuram District of Tamil Nadu, India. This lake lies approximately 16 kilometers north of Pondicherry and 10 kilometers north of Auroville, near the Bay of Bengal.Kaliveli Lake is situated about 4 km north of Pondicherry and 140 km south of Chennai, on the Coromandel coast. It is one of the largest wetlands and semi-permanent water bodies in India. Flora and fauna, which are of great ecological significance, are found on the banks of this lake. Moreover the lake is a major wintering ground for both migratory and resident birds. Today the lake has suffered from the reduction of its water-spread area, mainly due to the infringement by paddy fields.

Interesting things to Visit

Fortification Walls : The massive fortification walls of Gingee interconnect the three inaccessible hills-krishnaglri, chakkilidrug and Rajagiri. The three hills are disported in the form of triangle, while the main wall connecting them is 20 meters thick. The tops of the three hills form impregnable citadels, while the inner fort contains many fortifications and gates. The Rajagiri citadel is the highest, about 800 ft. in height, and the most inaccessible. The 20 meters deep chasm is now connected by a bridge.

Venugopala swamy Temple : Located to the west of the inner gate of the lower citadel, the temple contains a remarkable sculpture depicting Lord krishna playing on the flute with is two consorts. Another interesting feature in this temple is a finely polished, broadsmooth slab found in front of the temple

Kalyana Mahal: Built in the indo-Islamic style, the kalyana Mahal is one of the most attractive ruins in the fort. It consists of a square court, surrounded by rooms for the ladies of the Governors household. In the middle of this court, is a 27 meter high square tower, built of stone. The tower has a pyramidal roof. The rooms in this tower are very similar to other Vijayanagar Nayaka buildings elsewhere.

The Ponds: The way to the Hanuman Temple, outside the lower fort, abounds in temple ponds and many impressive structures. Chakkarakulam and chettikulam are the two famous ponds in this fort.Chettikulam was built by Raja shetty during the Maratha occupation of the place, towards the end of the 18****th century. To the north of this pond is a platform believed to be Raja Desingh funeral pyre, where his young wife committed sati.

The famous Ranganatha temple. Built in typical Indo-Islamic style, the Audience hall is a damaged roof supported by a series of graceful little pointed arches. The Magazine building is also a noteworthy structure. Built in typical Vijayanagar style, is the famous Rangantha Temple. To the south of the watch-tower, is a big iron cannon, roughly 4 meters long, and 2 meters in circumference. In style and form, this cannon is very similar to the Malik-1-Maidan of Bijapur.

Kamalakkanni Amman Temple : This small shrine dedicated to Kamalakkani Amman (Goddess Durga), a local delty, is found on the way to the citadel on Rajagiri Hill. It contains a sacrificial altar and well-preserved mural paintings belonging to the Nayak period.

Thumpoor : The Temple of lord Nagamman. This temple is 1450 years old

Esalam : Built by Rajendra Cholan I (1012) lord sri Ramanatha Eswarar. The legend found in Sanskrit language and in grantha character. Written on the periphery of the seal is as follows, Rajad-Rajanya Makuta sreni-ratnesu sasanam Etad Rajendra Cholasya parakesari varmanah.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

For accommodation near Kaliveli Lake, nearby towns offer budget lodges, guesthouses, and mid-range hotels. Book ahead during peak season (December-March).

Help Line/Phone Number

Villupuram West Police Station
NH 45A, Villupuram, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu

Pudupet Police Station
SH 68, Puthupet, Panruti, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu

Villianur Police Station
Pondicherry, Pondicherry?

NELLIKUPPAM POLICE STATION
Nellikkuppam, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu

CLINIC NALLAM
86, EASWARAN KOIL STREET, PUDUCHERRY, Puducherry 605001 - 0413 2335463

Dr.Ramadoss Hospital
Dr.Ramadoss Hospital Tindivanam-604001

GPHOSPITAL
104/40, Ramalinganar Main Street,, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu 606601 - 04175 224851

Shankara Global Marketing Services
64/1, Bazaar Street, chidambaram, Tamil Nadu 608001- 041 44224787

Location info

• **Address:**Kaliveli Lake,Villupuram district tamil Nadu

• District: Villupuram

• Nearest City: Villupuram

• Best time to visit: December To February

How to reach Kaliveli Lake

• **Nearest Railway Station:**Pondicherry

• **Nearest Airport:**Chennai 140kms

**Road Transport:**To reach the Kaliveli Lake from Chennai, one has to take NH45 and proceed till Tindivanam from where there is a road going towards the right which connects to NH66. The Gingee fort is located about 25km from Tindivanam.

Best time to visit Kaliveli Lake

November to March when the weather is pleasant. Early morning (6–8 AM) offers beautiful reflections on the water surface. Late afternoon (3–5 PM) is good for walks and photography. Migratory birds visit during winter (November–February).

Timings & opening hours

Accessible during daylight hours. Best visited between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Some lakes managed by forest departments have specific visiting hours. Boating, if available, operates between 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry is generally free. Nominal parking fee of INR 10–30 may apply. Boating charges: INR 50–200 per person depending on boat type. Some maintained lake parks may charge INR 10–20 entry.

Duration needed

1–2 hours for a relaxed visit including a walk along the banks. If boating is available, allow an additional 30–45 minutes. A picnic visit may extend to 3–4 hours.

Safety tips

Swimming is generally not permitted in most lakes — observe warning signs. Keep away from sluice gates and deep areas. Supervise children at all times near the water. Avoid visiting alone after dark. Do not litter — help keep the lake clean.

Things to carry

1. Water Bottle: Stay hydrated during your visit.
2. Comfortable Footwear: For walking and exploring.
3. Camera: Capture memorable moments.
4. Hat and Sunglasses: Sun protection.

Nearby visiting places

Other water bodies, parks, bird sanctuaries, temples, and recreational spots in the vicinity.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Chennai International Airport (MAA) for lakes near Chennai, or the nearest regional airport for lakes in other regions.

Nearest railway station: the nearest station in the closest town.

By road: accessible via local roads from the nearest town or city.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Tamil Nadu. 4G is reliable in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and along major highways. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain rural interior areas. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes in urban areas.

Food & restaurants nearby

Near Kaliveli Lake, small eateries and food stalls serve local Tamil Nadu snacks. Visitors can enjoy fresh coconut water, sundal, bhajji, and roasted corn. For proper meals, nearby towns have restaurants offering vegetarian South Indian thali meals including rice, sambar, rasam, and curd.

History of Kaliveli Lake

Kaliveli Lake serves as an important water reservoir for the surrounding region of Tamil Nadu. Built to meet the water needs of agriculture and communities, the lake has become an integral part of the local landscape. Its shores support biodiversity and provide a recreational space for nearby residents.

Things to do at Kaliveli Lake

Take a peaceful walk along the lake embankment and enjoy the serene water views. Watch for birds — many lakes attract herons, egrets, kingfishers, and migratory waterfowl during winter. If boating is available, enjoy a ride on the placid waters.

Climate & weather

Tamil Nadu has a tropical climate with generally hot and humid conditions year-round. The best time to visit is November to February, when temperatures are a more comfortable 20°C–28°C. March–June is very hot, with interior areas reaching 40°C+. The state receives rainfall from both the southwest monsoon (June–September, mainly in western ghats) and the northeast monsoon (October–December, bringing rain to coastal areas including Chennai). Hill stations (Ooty, Kodaikanal) are pleasant year-round.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town and along the main approach roads. Several major fuel station chains operate within 3–8 km of the lake.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Kaliveli Lake? Early morning (6–8 AM) or late afternoon (3–5 PM) between November and March for pleasant weather and good bird watching.

Can I go boating at Kaliveli Lake? Boating facilities vary by lake. Check with the local tourism office or visit early to confirm availability.

Are there food options near Kaliveli Lake? Food stalls and small eateries may be available near the lake. The nearest town offers more comprehensive dining options.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Tamilnadu
• Category: Lakes

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.