Imagine large fish puckishly surrounding you, their gentle movements kneading your skin as you dip your feet into the lake.
But the experience doesn’t end there, these fish accompany you on a boat ride, gliding like a golden carpet. As you feed them, you will also enjoy a natural fish spa, feeling their harmless touch as they brush against your legs while you float in the water.
At Pottas Farm World, built around an artificial lake near Adimali in southern Kerala, on the way to Munnar, thousands of golden fish welcome you with warmth. This unique farm offers an unforgettable experience, combining fun interactions with fish, serene boating, and the joy of feeding these friendly aquatic companions.
“They (fish) are like my family,” says John Pottas, the nearly 80-year-old owner of a unique farm located next to a 500-metre artificial lake that he set up. His farm offers a range of activities for tourists, including the Bali Swing, a small waterfall, water zorbing, bamboo rafting, and a spice and herbal park.
Pottas built the artificial lake eight years ago, and every November and December, he breeds fish in a dedicated breeding centre next to the lake. “We carefully catch a few fish for breeding. It’s a tricky process because the remaining fish get scared and avoid tourists for a while. But, then, after a few days, they return to their usual behaviour,” he says.
Maintaining a steady population is crucial for Pottas. “I always need around a thousand fish in the lake, or their numbers will gradually decline,” he says. What makes the experience here truly extraordinary is how the fish accompany boat riders throughout their journey, playfully swimming around their legs. “In all my research, I have not come across anything like this anywhere else,” he adds.
Pottas insists he would never harm the fish. However, during the floods in Kerala in 2018, the water level in his artificial lake rose by seven to eight feet, triggering a crisis. “Other reptiles, larger fish, and even snakes entered the lake and began preying on my fish. It took immense effort to restore the lake to its original state. Even today, I lose some fish to predators, but I am determined to preserve the lake and fish with the support of my son and family,” he says.
A ride in the bamboo boat, moving alongside the mesmerising carpet of fish, is an experience like no other for many tourists here. For a couple such a ride would cost ₹1,000, while for children below 10 the ride is free. Next to the farmhouse, a homey cafe serves authentic local farm products and snacks, adding to the charm of the visit.
For anyone travelling to Munnar, this is an unmissable experience; one that takes you to an entirely different world, surrounded by nature and the rhythmic dance of fish in crystal-clear water.
