Berijam Lake is a quiet drinking-water reservoir inside a protected shola forest, about 21 km southwest of Kodaikanal town in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu. It is not a place you can simply drive up to on a whim: the Tamil Nadu Forest Department controls who enters, when, and how many, so a day-permit from the District Forest Office is the first thing to arrange. This guide covers that permit system, the forest road and its viewpoints, the wildlife, the best season, and how to plan the trip sensibly from Kodaikanal.
Berijam Lake, in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, is a reserved-forest reservoir roughly 21 km from Kodaikanal that you can visit only by day, on a Forest Department pass issued at the Kodaikanal District Forest Office. There is no stay at the lake, no boating, and strict eco rules apply.
Key takeaways
- Berijam Lake sits in the Upper Palani (Palni) shola reserve forest, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, and is reached only from Kodaikanal, about 21–23 km away by forest road.
- A Forest Department day-permit from the District Forest Office, Kodaikanal is compulsory; Tamil Nadu Tourism states plainly that “a forest pass is required to reach Berijam Lake.”
- General public entry is restricted, with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department capping daily numbers and limiting hours to roughly 9:30 am–3 pm (as of October 2026 — reconfirm at the DFO).
- The lake is a drinking-water source for Periyakulam town, so boating and swimming are banned and plastic is not allowed inside the reserve.
- The lake surface sits at about 2,165 m (7,103 ft); the best weather is April to June, with cool conditions most of the year.
- There is no overnight stay at the lake — you base yourself in Kodaikanal and return the same day.
About Berijam Lake and quick facts
Berijam Lake is a man-made freshwater reservoir in the upper Palani hills of Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, built on the old site of Fort Hamilton. According to the lake’s public record, the dam was first raised in 1867 and the pipeline carrying its water down to Periyakulam town was completed in 1912. It still works as a drinking-water reservoir, which is the single fact that shapes everything about a visit.
The lake sits inside the Upper Palani shola reserve forest — a mix of dense evergreen “shola” woodland and high grassland often wrapped in cloud. Because the catchment feeds a town’s water supply and lies within protected forest, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, not a tourism body, decides access. The water itself is left undisturbed: no boats, no bathing.
| Location | Upper Palani hills, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu |
| Reached from | Kodaikanal only, about 21–23 km by forest road |
| Surface elevation | About 2,165 m (7,103 ft) |
| Type | Drinking-water reservoir inside a reserved shola forest |
| Access | Day visit only, on a Forest Department permit; no overnight stay |
| Hours (general public) | Roughly 9:30 am–3 pm, per Tamil Nadu Forest Dept — reconfirm |
| On the water | Boating and swimming banned to protect water quality |
The forest permit: how the restricted access works
You cannot reach Berijam Lake without a Forest Department day-permit obtained in Kodaikanal — this is the most important thing to understand before planning. Tamil Nadu Tourism’s official page says simply that “a forest pass is required to reach Berijam Lake,” and that the pass is issued by the District Forest Office (DFO). The road into the reserve is gated, with a forest check-post that turns back vehicles without a valid pass.
The permit is a same-day day-pass. In practice visitors collect it in the morning from the forest office in Kodaikanal, filling in a form with each traveller’s name, a photo-ID number and the vehicle registration. Carry a government photo ID for everyone in the car. Entry for the general public is restricted to limited hours — the Tamil Nadu Forest Department caps daily numbers and, on the record, has held public entry to roughly 9:30 am to 3 pm. Treat these timings as indicative as of October 2026 and reconfirm, because the forest division adjusts them by season and for fire risk.
Daily numbers are capped, so permits can run out, especially on weekends and holidays. Go on a weekday and reach the DFO early. There is no confirmed online booking for the self-drive permit; it is issued over the counter. If you do not have a suitable vehicle, a Forest Department guided tour van operates from the Moir Point end of the road — tickets are issued on the spot and the van leaves when seats fill.
| Question | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Who issues it? | District Forest Office, Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu Forest Dept) |
| When to collect? | Morning of the visit; same-day pass. Arrive early. |
| What to carry? | Government photo ID for every traveller; vehicle registration number |
| Daily cap? | Yes — limited numbers; weekends fill fast (exact figure not published) |
| Hours | Roughly 9:30 am–3 pm for the general public; no overnight |
| Fee | A per-vehicle charge applies; travel reports cite roughly ₹200–₹300 per vehicle in recent years — indicative only, confirm at the counter |
A note on fees: the DFO charges a per-vehicle permit fee, but published figures differ across sources and years, so the band above is a planning estimate to reconfirm, not an official rate. Do not rely on a number from a blog — ask at the counter. Some visitors also report the forest road being closed on certain weekdays; check the current schedule with the office when you collect the pass. For wider planning around the hill station, see our Kodaikanal travel guide.
Best time to visit
The most comfortable window is April to June, when Tamil Nadu Tourism rates Kodaikanal’s weather as at its best; the hills stay cool and pleasant for much of the year. The shola country around Berijam is often misty in the early morning, which is atmospheric but can hide the lake until the cloud lifts. Heavy rain can make the unlit forest road slow and occasionally restrict access, so avoid the wettest spells.
| Season | Months | What it is like |
|---|---|---|
| Cool and clear | April–June | Best weather per Tamil Nadu Tourism; busiest; book permits and rooms early |
| Southwest monsoon | July–September | Misty, damp shola; leeches on trails; carry rain gear |
| Northeast monsoon | October–November | Intermittent heavy rain; road can be slippery; fewer crowds |
| Cold and dry | December–March | Crisp, cold mornings; clear light; pleasant but chilly at dawn |
Whichever month you pick, mornings are the time to be there — the permit hours start mid-morning and the light and wildlife are best before the cloud and crowds build.
How to reach Berijam Lake
You reach Berijam Lake only from Kodaikanal, by road through the reserve on a permit — there is no direct bus, train or flight to the lake. First get yourself to Kodaikanal, then drive the forest road the final 21 km or so. The lake lies at the end of the old Pillar Rocks Road beyond Moir Point.
Kodaikanal is in Dindigul district, so the hill station’s own access points apply. According to Tamil Nadu Tourism, the nearest airport is Madurai International Airport, about 115 km away, with Coimbatore International Airport around 170 km. The closest railheads are Palani Railway Station, about 64 km, and Kodai Road Station, about 80 km, with trains from Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Coimbatore. Frequent buses run up to Kodaikanal from Madurai (Aarappalayam), Dindigul, Palani, Batlagundu, Oddanchatram and Kodai Road. For the bigger regional picture, our Tamil Nadu travel guide sets out airports and rail hubs across the state.
| Leg | Option | Approx. distance |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Madurai International Airport to Kodaikanal | About 115 km |
| Air | Coimbatore International Airport to Kodaikanal | About 170 km |
| Rail | Palani Railway Station to Kodaikanal | About 64 km |
| Rail | Kodai Road Station to Kodaikanal | About 80 km |
| Road (final leg) | Kodaikanal town/bus stand to Berijam Lake | About 21–23 km by forest road |
From Kodaikanal you will want a private car or taxi for the forest leg, because the permit is tied to a vehicle and public buses do not run into the reserve. Hire a Kodaikanal taxi that knows the permit routine, or take the Forest Department van from Moir Point.
Viewpoints and sights on the forest road
The drive from Kodaikanal to Berijam is the experience as much as the lake, passing shola woodland and a string of valley viewpoints. Beyond Moir Point, where the controlled road begins, the route runs through grassland and dense evergreen pockets to the reservoir. Two viewpoints are commonly seen along the way — Silent Valley, which Tamil Nadu Tourism lists among the sights near the lake, and Caps Fly Valley, a cliff-edge lookout on the forest route.
| Spot | What you see | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Moir Point | Start of the forest road; junction and viewpoint | Check-post area; Forest Dept van tours leave here |
| Silent Valley (view) | Deep wooded valley, often cloud-filled | Listed by Tamil Nadu Tourism as a nearby sight |
| Caps Fly Valley | Cliff-edge lookout over the Palani slopes | On the forest route; stop only where permitted |
| Berijam lake view / fire tower | The reservoir and its shola fringe | Stay on marked points; no going down to the water |
Stops are only at the marked viewpoints — you cannot wander off the road into the reserve, and vehicles keep to the permitted track.
The shola forest and its wildlife
Berijam lies in a shola-grassland ecosystem — an Indian montane “cloud forest” where stunted evergreen woodland fills the folds and grassland covers the ridges. Tamil Nadu Tourism notes that visitors may, with luck, see bison (gaur), deer, elephants and monkeys in the Upper Palani reserve. The wider record for the area also lists Nilgiri langur, Malabar giant squirrel, sambar and barking deer.
The gaur (Indian bison) is the animal you are most likely to meet, often grazing the grassland near the road. Keep your distance, stay in the vehicle when told to, and never feed wildlife. Birdlife is rich: Tamil Nadu Tourism records crested serpent eagles, pariah kites and swiftlets in the shola, with migratory warblers and the common rosefinch in season, which makes the road a quietly rewarding drive for birdwatchers.
A suggested day plan
Berijam works best as a half-day trip from Kodaikanal built around the permit, leaving your afternoon for the town’s own sights. A workable plan:
- 7:00–8:00 am: Breakfast in Kodaikanal; have your IDs and vehicle papers ready.
- 8:30–9:30 am: Reach the District Forest Office early and collect the day-permit before the daily cap fills.
- 9:30–10:00 am: Drive out past Pillar Rocks Road towards Moir Point and the forest check-post.
- 10:00 am–12:30 pm: Stop at the viewpoints — Silent Valley, Caps Fly Valley — and reach the Berijam lake view and fire tower.
- By 2:30–3:00 pm: Start back so you are out of the reserve within the permitted hours.
- Afternoon: Back in town for Coaker’s Walk (open 7 am–7 pm) or Kodaikanal Lake.
Keep the plan loose for mist and slow forest driving, and do not count on mobile signal inside the reserve.
Where to stay
There is no accommodation at Berijam Lake itself — you stay in Kodaikanal and return the same day, because the reserve closes to the public by mid-afternoon and permits no overnight stay. Kodaikanal has the full range of options, from budget lodges near the bus stand and lake to mid-range hotels and a handful of heritage and luxury properties on the ridges.
| Type | Indicative price band | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget lodges / homestays | About ₹1,200–₹2,500 | Near bus stand and lake; book ahead in April–June |
| Mid-range hotels | About ₹3,000–₹6,000 | Often with valley views and parking for your Berijam car |
| Heritage / luxury resorts | ₹8,000 and up | Ridge and lakeside properties; peak-season rates climb |
These are planning estimates, not quoted tariffs — rates swing sharply between weekdays and the April–June peak, so reconfirm when you book. Pick a place with easy morning access to the forest office so the permit run is quick.
Budget breakdown
A Berijam day trip is inexpensive once you are in Kodaikanal — the main costs are the permit, a vehicle for the forest leg, and your town stay and meals. The table below is a planning estimate for two people for one day based out of Kodaikanal, indicative as of October 2026.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Forest permit (per vehicle) | About ₹200–₹300 | One car; confirm the rate at the DFO counter |
| Taxi for the Berijam leg | About ₹1,500–₹2,500 | Half-day local hire from Kodaikanal |
| Meals and water | About ₹400–₹800 | Breakfast in town, packed snacks (carry out all waste) |
| Kodaikanal room (per night) | About ₹1,200–₹6,000 | Budget to mid-range; split if sharing |
| Indicative day total (excl. room) | About ₹2,100–₹3,600 | Two people, one car, one day |
Carry cash — the forest counter and small town eateries may not take cards, though UPI is widely accepted in Kodaikanal town itself.
Rules and eco-guidelines
Berijam is a protected water-supply reserve, so the rules are strict and enforced, not advisory. Treat them as the price of access:
- Permit and timings: Enter only with a valid Forest Department pass and leave within the permitted hours (roughly 9:30 am–3 pm). No overnight stay.
- No plastic: Plastic is not allowed inside the reserve. Carry a cloth bag, take back every wrapper and bottle, and leave nothing behind.
- Stay on the road: No off-route trekking into the shola or down to the water; vehicles keep to the permitted track and stop only at marked viewpoints.
- Protect the water: No boating, no swimming, no washing — the reservoir supplies drinking water to Periyakulam.
- Wildlife: Keep your distance from gaur and other animals, do not feed them, and keep noise down.
Photography for personal use is fine at the viewpoints; drones over a reserve forest need prior permission and should not be flown without it.
Practical tips
A few things make the day smoother. Mobile network coverage is patchy to absent inside the reserve, so tell someone your plan and do not rely on a live map. Draw cash in Kodaikanal town before you set out, as there are no ATMs on the forest road. The nearest hospitals and pharmacies are in Kodaikanal, so carry any medicines you need and a small first-aid kit.
Dress for cold, damp mornings even in summer — a windproof layer, sturdy shoes and a light rain shell. Solo travellers and women travellers generally find Kodaikanal comfortable and the forest route is supervised, but it is remote, so travel the Berijam leg with a reliable driver or the Forest Department van rather than alone, and start early. Pack water and snacks, and bring the packaging back out with you.
Nearby places
Berijam pairs naturally with Kodaikanal’s own sights, most of which are far easier to reach and need no permit. Build a second day around them.
| Place | Approx. from Kodaikanal | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Kodaikanal Lake | In town | The star-shaped town lake; boating and cycling on the bund |
| Pillar Rocks | About 7 km | Three towering granite pillars on the way towards Moir Point |
| Dolphin’s Nose | About 8 km | Flat rock jutting over a steep valley; walk-in viewpoint |
| Guna Caves | On the Pillar Rocks road | Deep rock chambers at about 2,200 m; viewed from barricades |
| Mannavanur | About 35 km | Sheep farm, lake and rolling grassland beyond the shola |
| Coaker’s Walk | In town | Misty cliff-edge promenade, open 7 am–7 pm |
For the full run of Kodaikanal’s lakes, walks and viewpoints, and how to string them into a two- or three-day trip, see our Kodaikanal travel guide, and plan the wider route with the Tamil Nadu travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a permit to visit Berijam Lake?
Yes. A Forest Department day-permit is compulsory to reach Berijam Lake and is issued at the District Forest Office in Kodaikanal. Tamil Nadu Tourism states that “a forest pass is required to reach Berijam Lake.” The road is gated with a check-post, so vehicles without a valid pass are turned back. Carry photo ID for everyone.
How do I get the Berijam Lake forest pass?
Collect the pass in person on the morning of your visit from the Kodaikanal District Forest Office, with a government photo ID for each traveller and your vehicle registration number. Daily numbers are capped, so arrive early, especially on weekends. There is no confirmed online booking; a Forest Department van from Moir Point is the alternative if you lack a vehicle.
What are the Berijam Lake timings?
General public entry is restricted to roughly 9:30 am to 3 pm, with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department also capping daily numbers. These hours are indicative as of October 2026 and can change by season or for fire risk, so reconfirm at the District Forest Office when you collect the permit. No overnight stay is allowed inside the reserve.
How far is Berijam Lake from Kodaikanal and can you drive there?
Berijam Lake is about 21–23 km southwest of Kodaikanal and is reached only by road through the reserve, on a permit. You drive the final forest leg yourself in a permitted vehicle, or take the Forest Department van from Moir Point. There is no direct bus, train or flight to the lake; base yourself in Kodaikanal.
Is boating or swimming allowed at Berijam Lake?
No. Boating and swimming are banned at Berijam Lake because it is a drinking-water reservoir supplying Periyakulam town, and the ban protects the water’s quality. You can walk to the marked viewpoints and the fire tower, watch birds and wildlife, and photograph the lake, but you cannot go down to or onto the water.
What is the best time to visit Berijam Lake?
The best time is April to June, when Tamil Nadu Tourism rates Kodaikanal’s weather as at its best, though the hills stay cool most of the year. Mornings are ideal, as the permit hours begin mid-morning and the mist and wildlife are best early. Avoid the heaviest monsoon spells, when the forest road is slippery.
Last updated and sources
Berijam Lake rewards travellers who respect that it is a working water reserve, not a resort — come for a quiet, wildlife-rich forest drive, go early in the day, and visit between April and June for the kindest weather. Plan around the permit first and everything else falls into place.
Last updated: 14 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Tamil Nadu Tourism, Berijam Lake, Kodaikanal and Dindigul district destination pages (permit, boating ban, distances, best time, wildlife); the public record for Berijam Lake and its cited sources, including The Hindu, for elevation, the 1867/1912 dam history, the Periyakulam water supply, and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department entry-hours note. Permit fee bands are indicative planning estimates drawn from recent visitor reports and must be reconfirmed at the District Forest Office, Kodaikanal. Accessed September 2026.
