Pulicat Lake, Chennai | Sanctuary, Boating

Pulicat Lake, Pulicat Overview

Lying on the boundary of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Pulicat Lake is the second largest lagoon in the country. This fantastic destination is a natural beauty and also serves as a habitat for birds under the name of Pulicat Bird Sanctuary. The lake is separated by the Bay of Bengal by the barrier island of Sriharikota, which is also a rocket launching centre of India. Situated in the midst of scintillating virgin charms and cutting edge technological hotspot, the Pulicat Lake has something for everyone.

The sparkling waters of the Pulicat Lake serve as the perfect haven for birds that migrate to this region during the peak time of their mating season, which would be around October. A wide variety of birds can be found here during this period, including grey pelicans, flamingos, painted storks, open billed stork among the rest. A lot of these birds use the lake for food and live in the trees in the nearby surroundings. Due to favourable conditions that aid the birds, this place is a recognised bird sanctuary and is most certainly a bird lover's dream, for you can capture them in their natural habitat here.

Pulicat Lake Boating

Another interesting way to explore the territory of Pulicat Lake is through boating in the waters of this quaint pond. The only way to boat your way around the lake is on fishing boats, which are extremely clean and the fishermen, very welcoming. You can learn more about their ways of life as they show you around the lake. A good 2-3 hours is perfect to have a good time aboard the boat, and the price is around INR 700 for the same.

Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary

The Pullicat Lake also encloses the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary within its confines. It is most noted for its greater flamingos, White Ibis, Grey Pelicans, Grey Herons, Open Billed Storks, Egrets, Spot Billed Ducks, Reef Herons, Painted Storks, Spoon Bills and Cormorants. In addition to watching the birds, you can also indulge in activities such as trekking through the forest, bird safari and boating.

Pulicat Lake Flora and Fauna

Pulicat Lake is a haven for a wide variety of wildlife and vegetation. Fishing is a major source of income here and hence, a number of fish species like mullets, tiger prawns, jellyfish, finfish, white prawns, tiger prawns, lagoon green crabs and catfish are found here. Bird lovers can find a number of rare and less-common birds flying around the Pulicat Lake. Spot-billed pelicans, flamingos, pelicans, kingfishers, herons, painted storks, spoonbills and ducks are reported to visit the lake. Other water birds in the area include spot-billed pelican, seven species of herons and egrets, painted stork, greater flamingos, ducks, 20 species of shorebirds, gulls, terns, little grebe, Indian cormorant, little cormorant, Asian openbill stork, black-headed ibis, Eurasian spoonbill, lesser whistling teal, spotbill duck, great thick-knee and stone curlew. Pulicat Lake is also quite rich in aquatic fauna, with eight Cyanophyceae, seven Chlorophyceae, phytoplankton and two Rhodophyceae calling it home.

Activities to do in Pulicat Lake

A number of interesting activities await your attention at the Pulicat Lake. You can indulge in a trekking adventure through certain parts of the region. Boating and aquatic sports activities are carried out in the lake as well. Don't forget to ask the local fishermen for a ride in their traditional boats. You can also take guided tours of the lake where the guide imparts lots of interesting information about the various birds found here. The sunsets and sunrise in the backdrop of gentle birds make for a picturesque scene as well. Taste some amazing authentic food in the premises with coastal dishes being served at all the eateries present around the area.

Pulicat Lake Flamingo Festival

Flamingos of Pulicat find their visit commemorated by an endearing festival dedicated especially to them. The Flamingo festival of this lake lasts over a period of three days in the month of December, when music, dance and many other activities are organised to attract the attention of tourists. Cultural programs and interactions are held for locals and tourists alike, and a major event during the festival is boat racing, which is organised for the inhabitant fishermen of Pulicat. Various arrangements are made for aiding the stay and experience of the tourists during this time.

History of Pulicat Lake

The Pulicat lake has various mentions in ancient historical texts. The texts of the 'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea' mentions a lagoon that fits its description, and is mentioned to be one of the three ports on the east coast of the country. Arabs migrated off the shores of this lake in the 13th century after they were banished from Mecca while the 16th century saw Portuguese colonising the Pulicat Lake. The Dutch drifted to the lagoon when their ships got stuck on the opposite side of the mouth of the lake and was renamed Pallaicatta. Fort Geldria dating to 1609, a church, a cemetery with tombs and mausoleums constructed by the Dutch in the region are still present here and are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Dutch transacted business with the British East India Company and other countries in the region.

How To Reach Pulicat Lake

Direct buses are available from Tirupati to Sullurupeta, which take about an hour and a half to reach the destination. By road, the location can be reached by taking the road to Nellore from Chennai.