Tamilnadu Kodaikanal

Welcome to Kodaikanal, one of Indias finest holiday destination situated 7.200 feet above sea level, in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India.

This quaint hill station still remains untouched by time and unspoilt by civilization and retains the old world charm right from the colonial days. Kodaikanal has created a niche for itself with its gleaming Kodai Lake, intoxicating air, breathtaking scenery and serenity that you can hardly find in any hill station. Kodaikanal is a place that is completely secluded from the madding crowd and that is what makes it one of the very few loveable hill stations in India.

Some important questions arise when we choose a destination.

Most important places to Visit in Kodaikanal . / Sightseeing places in Kodaikanal.

Which all places I can visit along with Kodaikanal ?

Tour Itineries along withKodaikanal

Best time to visit Kodaikanal.

How to reach Kodaikanal ?

Most important places to Visit in Kodaikanal . / Sightseeing places in Kodaikanal.

Kodaikanal is a city in the hills of Taluk division of Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Kodaikanal is referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations" and has a long history as a retreat and popular tourist destination. It's a lot cooler in temperature than lower elevation cities such as Chennai.

Kodaikanal was established in 1845 as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains. Much of the local economy is based on the Hospitality industry serving tourism.

Places of Interest

Kodaikanal has several scenic natural attractions which are enjoyed by its visitors and make it a popular romantic destination for newlyweds. These are described in order of distance from the bus-stand.

Kodaikanal Lake, 0.5 km (0.3 mi) from the bus stand, is an artificial, roughly star-shaped 45 ha (60 acres) lake built in 1863. It is recognized as Kodaikanal's most popular geographic landmark and tourist attraction. Rowboats and pedalos can be hired at the Kodaikanal Boat Club with its main entrance near the only five-star hotel in Kodaikanal, The Carlton.Horses and bicycles can be hired beside the lake for short periods. The 5 kilometers (3 mi) path that skirts the periphery of this lovely lake is a favourite walk for the locals and tourists alike.

Bryant Park, Just east of the lake and 0.5 km (0.3 mi) from the bus stand, is a wonderfully maintained 20.5 acres (8.3 ha) botanical garden. The park was planned and built in 1908 by a forest officer from Madurai, H.D.Bryant, and named after him. With 325 species of trees, shrubs and cactuses, the park is a rainbow of stunning flowers during the peak season.

A large section is dedicated to nearly 740 varieties of roses. There is a 1857 Eucalyptus tree and a Bodhi tree which adds a religious significance to the park. Ornamental plants are cultivated in a nursery for sale. The park organizes horticultural exhibits and flower shows every summer, to coincide with the peak season. Entrance fee to the park is nominal and it is open throughout the year.

Coaker's Walk, 0.5 km (0.3 mi) from the bus-stand, constructed by Lt.Coaker in 1872, is a 1 kilometers (0.62 mi) paved pedestrian path running along the edge of steep slopes on the southern side of Kodai. The walk, winding around Mount Nebo, starts in front of the Van Allen hospital, running parallel to the Van Allen Hospital Road and joins the main road beside St.Peter's Church, providing a stunning panoramic view of the plains.On a clear day one can view as far as Dolphin's Nose in south, the valley of the Pambar River in the southeast, Periyakulam town and even the city of Madurai. A fascinating rare phenomenon called Brocken spectre can be witnessed, when a person can see his shadow on the clouds with a rainbow halo. This occurs when the sun is behind the viewer and clouds and mist are to the front. There is an observatory with a telescope halfway along the walk. Entrance fee to the walkway is nominal and it is open throughout the year.

Bear Shola Falls, 3 kilometers (2 mi) from the bus-stand, is a tall waterfall in a Reserve forest. The final approach to this quiet area is a gently climbing foot-path.

Green Valley View, (formerly called Suicide Point) 5.5 kilometers (3 mi) from the bus-stand and near the golf course, has an excellent panoramic view of the plains and a sheer drop of 1,500 meters (4,921 ft) overlooking the Vaigai Dam to the south. The stairway leading up to it is highly commercialized and lined with rows of shops to tempt tourists.

Shenbaganur Museum of Natural History, 6 kilometers (4 mi) from the bus-stand, founded in 1895, is open to the public for viewing their outstanding taxidermy collection of more than 500 species of animals, birds and insects and a living collection of over 300 exotic orchid species. The museum is affliated with Loyola College in Chennai and exhibits artifacts of the ancient Palaiyartribes people whose descendants still live in these hills.

Kodaikanal Solar Observatory 6 kilometers (4 mi) from the bus-stand on Observatory Road, at 2,343 meters (7,687 ft) is the highest location near Kodai. The first observations were commenced here in 1901. Former Director John Evershed, discovered the phenomenon of radial motion in sunspots, now known as the Evershed effect. The Kodaikanal Terrestrial Telescope can view a grand panorama including: Sothupparai Dam, Vaigai Dam, Periyakulam and Varahariver.This Indian Institute of Astrophysics facility has a comprehensive Astronomical Science museum with organized public tours, access to the astronomy library, and scheduled night-time telescopic sky viewing. It is open daily to the public during peak season, and a few hours each Friday the rest of the year.

Pillar Rocks, 8 kilometers (5 mi) from the bus-stand, is a set of three giant rock pillars which stand 122 meters (400 ft) high. [41] Managed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, The viewpoint can be crowded but is not commercialized. There is an excellent public garden adjacent to the viewpoint.

Guna caves, made popular by the Tamil movie Guna, previously called Devil’s Kitchen, are deep bat-infested chambers between the three gigantic boulders that are the Pillar Rocks. The deep narrow ravines of the caves are now closed to public due to the trajic deaths of twelve youths there.[citation needed] These dangerous caves are highly protected now, and tourists can see sections of the cave system from afar.

Silver Cascade, 8 kilometers (5 mi) from Kodaikanal at a wide bend in the long and winding Laws Ghat Road, at altitude 1,800 meters (5,906 ft), is a 55 meters (180 ft) waterfall formed from the outflow of Kodaikanal Lake.[43]The water quality is reportedly poor and not good enough for bathing. This impressive waterfall is a popular stop for first-time visitors. There are a few souvenir and fruit vendors and many monkeys here. There is also a smaller but more serene waterfall below the bridge which crosses the stream here.

Dolphin's Nose, 8 kilometers (5 mi) from the bus stand, is flat rock projecting over a breathtaking chasm 6,600 feet (2,000 m) deep. It is an undisturbed area 1 kilometers (1 mi) down a very steep rocky trail beginning soon after Pambar Bridge. Orange juice vendors along the trail offer a welcome rest stop.Beautiful views of steep rocky escarpments rising from the plains can be seen. The old village of Vellagavi can be reached through a rugged bridle path here. A short paved walkway leads from the road here to Pambar falls (which is also locally addressed as 'Liril Falls' after the famous Liril Soap Advertisement filming in 1985).

Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple, 4 kilometers (2 mi) from the bus-stand, is famous for its Kurinji flower which blossoms in the area only once every 12 years. The deity here is called Sri KurinjiEasware, who is in fact Lord Murugan. This temple was built in 1936 by a European lady, who on coming to India, converted to Hinduism.She changed her name to Leelavathi and married aMr.Ramanathan. She is also known as Lady Ramanathan. This temple is under the management of ArulmighuDhandayuthapaniSwamyThiruKovil, Palani.

Which all places I can visit along with Kodaikanal ?

Tour Itineries along with Kodaikanal

Ooty - Kodaikanal - Munnar - Kumarakom

Coimbatore - Ooty - Conoor - Kodaikanal - Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Cochin

Bangalore- Mysore- Ooty- Kodaikanal

Best time to visit Kodaikanal.

Visit Kodai from April to June or August to September. This is when the weather is at it's best - temperatures stay in the region of a comfortable 20°C to a bracing 10°C.

The summer festival that is held at all Tamil Nadu hill stations in May features flower shows, dog shows, boat races and the like. This is the high season, so Kodai becomes a little more crowded than usual. July to October are also great months weather-wise, less full, and cheaper.

The months between October and March are wet and cold, so it is best to avoid being here at this time.

How to reach Kodaikanal ?

How to Reach Kodaikanal by Air

The nearest airport at Madurai (120 km) gets daily flights from Chennai, Bangalore, Trichy and Mumbai. From the airport you can hire a cab or take the local train to reach Kodaikanal.

How to Reach Kodaikanal by Rail

The nearest railway stations are 3 hrs from town. Palani to the north and Kodai Road to the east connect to Chennai and Trichy and to Madurai respectively. From these stations it’s a long 3 hour wind up by road which would be quite enjoyable unless you are prone to journey sickness.

How to Reach Kodaikanal by Bus

There are bus services to Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, Madurai and Trichy. The shortest route is from Madurai (4 hrs), the longest from Bangalore and Chennai (12 hrs). There is an option between state services and private operators, and various degrees of luxury and speed. But if you are planning to go around or are even prone to sickness, then hiring a car is the best way to travel.