The second largest brackish water lagoon in India after Chilika, straddling the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coast about 60 km north of Chennai. A major migratory bird habitat famous for its winter flocks of greater and lesser flamingos.
Open during daylight hours; early morning is best for bird sightings
Free (boat rides charged separately)
Highlights
- Second largest brackish water lagoon in India, covering roughly 759 square kilometres
- Shared between Tiruvallur district in Tamil Nadu and Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh
- Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary on the Tamil Nadu side is a winter home for greater flamingos, lesser flamingos, painted storks, grey pelicans, and hundreds of other migratory species
- Peak birdwatching season runs from October to February
- Pazhaverkadu, the historic town on the lake's edge, was a major Dutch trading post in the 17th century and retains a Dutch cemetery with tombstones from the period
- Ruins of Dutch Fort Geldria, one of the first Dutch settlements in India, lie near the shore
- Traditional fishing villages on the lake rely on catamaran and stake-net fishing techniques passed down for generations
Location
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