A day at “I love Kovai”/ Ukkadam Lake/Ukkadam Periyakulam – Ukkadam,Coimbatore

If you’ve been to Coimbatore or live in or around the place and have still not visited ‘I Love Kovai’ selfie corner, it’s time to get there!

One of the recently renovated places which attracted people all over TamilNadu is “I love Kovai” selfie corner/Ukkadam lake which is located in Ukkadam of Coimbatore renamed as “Koyampuththur” which is one of the largest city in Tamil Nadu, famous for its climate and scenic places like Pollachi, Valparai, Ooty, Perur, Avinasi Road, Anaikati, Marudhamalai, etc.

Coimbatore is a major center for Education, Textile Industry, Pump Manufacturing, Automotive components Manufacturing, etc.

The Ukkadam Periyakulam / “I love Kovai” makeover was included in the Smart City plan powered by the Government of India and inaugurated virtually by CM Edappadi Palanisamy in June month of 2020. Among the 100 cities selected throughout the Nation for the Smart City plan, 11 cities got on the list from Tamil Nadu which includes Coimbatore, Chennai, Madurai, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Salem, Vellore, Thoothukudi, Erode, Tirunelveli, and Tiruchirappalli.

The Smart City project includes Water Restoration, Water Supply, Solid waste Management, Energy Conservation, Roads, and Infrastructure Development.

There are few more lakes being renovated as part of the Smart City plan, but “I Love Kovai” stands out due to its lovely appearance. The scenic beauty of this location, as well as the lake, draws a larger crowd and most importantly this place is maintained well and neat.

The location includes a seating area, a play area for children, a walking path for adults, sidewalks, and stands as a selfie spot/selfie corner in Coimbatore. You can experience the colorful lights which makes the place more beautiful during nighttime

Boating is also available, but it was closed during the covid lockdown. There are both cycling/peddling boats and motor/speed boats available. There is a lake view map to help you out. They have also constructed cycling paths within the lake. The best time to go is at night, when the weather is pleasant and cool.

There is no seating with a shed in front of “I Love Kovai”, but you can find a lot after a short walk through the park. You can find a wooden bridge opposite to it that provides a panoramic view of the lake. It is not only a lovely spot for relaxing and lake watching, but it is also ideal for an outdoor photoshoot for Instagram, Facebook, Wedding and dance videos.

There are no fees for DSLR cameras/any kind of cameras.

A water ATM available inside the park which provides 1 litre water for 1 Rupee which is not in working condition.

Wearing masks is mandatory while visiting. Since there are no food stalls inside the park yet, my suggestion is to take food/water/snacks along with you while visiting. Due to the covid pandemic, there were only a few visitors during our visit. Across the street from the park you’ll find the Coimbatore’s largest fish market.

This lake is also popular for bird watching, with many migratory birds visiting during the first few months of the year. Local fishermen catch fish and sell their fish at the opposite fish market. Since the lake was contaminated with sewage water and filled with water hyacinth, which was recently cleaned during renovation, fishing has been stopped during those days.

How do you get to “I Love Kovai”?

Airways:

The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport, which is located in SITRA. The airport is well connected to major airports across the country as well as a number of international airports. The area is well served by buses; you can take a bus to Ukkadam from SITRA and walk 5 minutes to the lake from the Ukkadam bus stand.

Railways:

The nearest railway stations is Coimbatore Railway Junction, which is about 1 Km from Ukkadam Lake. It takes around 5-10 minutes by bus to travel from the junction bus stop to the Ukkadam bus stand.

Roadways:

The best way to go to Coimbatore is by road, as the town is well-served by buses from major cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai, and Coimbatore, and many others. If you arrive at Coimbatore Airport by flight from some other state or city, you can take a bus to Ukkadam from SITRA, where there are frequent buses to Pollachi.

Buses run frequently from Avinashi Road, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore North, Sulur, and Singanallur, which serve as the arrival points for other state buses. You can take a bus to Ukkadam from either of these bus stations. The nearest bus stands are Coimbatore North and Gandhipuram.

Opening Timings and Entry fee for the lake?

Entry is free and can be visited on all days of the week. 

Parking Facility in Ukkadam Lake:

There are two-wheeler parking lots in front of the park entrance that are free of charge, unlike private parking lots. However, the Park administration is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. There are no parking spaces available in front of the lake for other cars, but there are a few after a short distance from the park entrance.

When you do plan a trip to ‘I Love Kovai’, make sure you have sufficient time for other major attractions:

• Koniyamman Temple– This ancient temple is dedicated to Koniamman and is a must-see in Coimbatore. The Koniyamman car festival is very popular in this town.
• Townhall – Coimbatore’s biggest shopping street. Clothes, jewelry, footwear, bags, and electronics are all available in small shops. Plan at least a full day because there are so many shops to visit.
• Shopping malls Nearby – Brookfields , Prozone and Fun Mall are the other popular shopping and leisure attractions you can visit.

Happy Visiting!!!!

I would love to hear about the experience from you. Do share your travel experience in the comments.