Vellayani Lake

Located 7-km from Kovalam via Poonkulam junction. The 750-hectre giant lake is a freshwater lake, one of the two in Kerala. The other one is in Sasthamkotta in Kollam district. A road passes through this lake, a rare sight. This lake attracts many people. Once in Kovalam, a visitor should not allow to miss the opportunity of seeing this wonder lake of freshwater. Its crystal-clear calm water, especially during moonlit nights, is a craze for the minds. The locals say a side of the lake is Kochu Kovalam, meaning tiny Kovalam.

There is a boat race in the lake during Onam which attracts huge crow. Country boat is available from Kovalam beach to reach the lake. The charge is Rs 500.

300-acre campus of Government Agricultural College is nearby. The main building of the College was built by the erstwhile Travancore royal family as their summer palace.

There is a Devi temple 300-m away from the lake. A festival called Vellayani Mahotsav is celebrated in the temple once in every three years. The festival prolongs to 54 days. The next festival is due in 2008