Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal, is also referred as the “princess of hills stations”. It is situated at Tamil Nadu in the hills of the taluk division of the Dindigul district. Kodaikanal, the name is in Tamil language, which means ‘the gift of forest’. ‘Kurinji’ a planting flower which is a specialty of Kodaikanal is in full bloom around December once in 12 years, and it bathes the valley in a beautiful sea of blue.

It was last in full bloom in 2006; its next bloom is expected in 2018. Kodaikanal has an average temperature, and get some rain every month but January and February are generally dry. The season to visit Kodaikanal is from mid Aprils to mid June. But if you love your health then January-February-March is best, as the level of humidity is at its lowest.

Attractions of Kodaikanal     

Berijam Lake: This is a lake where you actually find the combo of peace, nature and purity. The area is a plastic free zone (an area where no one is allowed to carry or use plastic bags or polothins) and if you want to visit this lake then you need to get permission. Entry is restricted into the Berijam Lake area; between 9.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Permissions need to be obtained on the morning of the intended day of visit from the forest office. Fire tower, silent valley, medicine forest, lake view are other attractions around the lake.

Coakers walk:  Constructed by Lt.Coaker in 1872, is a 1-kilometre (3,300 ft) paved pedestrian path running along the edge of steep slopes on the southern side of Kodai. A fascinating rare phenomenon called Brocken spectre can be witnessed, when a person can see his shadow on the clouds with a rainbow halo. It’s marvelous. Try the telescope near the main gate.

Kodai Lake: Marked as Kodaikanal’s main geographic landmark and tourist attraction. This lake is very good for boating in the evening. Rowboats and pedalos can be hired at the Kodaikanal Boat Club with its main entrance near the only five-star hotel in Kodaikanal. Walking around this star shaped lake in night is one of the best walking experience you can have in your life.

Bryant Park: On the east of Kodai Lake and 500 meters from the bus stand. The park was planned and built in 1908 by a forest officer from Madurai, H.D.Bryant, and named after him. There are 1857 Eucalyptus trees and a Bodhi tree which adds a religious significance to the park.

Kurinjiandavar Temple: A temple, 4 km from the Kodai Lake and its presiding god is Lord Muruga. Kurunji flower blooms here once in 12 years. The view of Kodaikanal town and panali hills from the temple is quite good.

Guna Caves: You can visit these caves at your own risk as it is very steep and risky to get in. It is a very good place to capture in camera. But if you are not a professional spelunker then your trip to this place can be your last also.

Dolphin’s Nose: Dolphin Nose is flat rock projecting over a breathtaking chasm 6,600 feet 2,000 m deep. Orange juice vendors along the trail offer a welcome rest stop. . 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.

Thrills & Funs

Cycling:  This is a good to do thing. As you get a chance to tell your friend that you cycled around the Kodai Lake at Kodaikanal & also you don’t pollute the pure atmosphere of this place. Bicycles are available on hire at the lake on an hourly basis.

Trekking: There are many Trekking scenic trekking spots at Kodaikanal. An easy trek is the Perumalmalai trek which is the tallest mountain that area. Trekking guides are also available to guide you for free who keeps telling you about all the trekking locations and difficulty level.

Boating: Kodaikanal Boat Club is the place to get your boat. The main entrance to the Club is near the only 5 star hotel in Kodaikanal, the Carlton. It is a nice experience to have, if you like boating.

Horse riding: A horse can be hired right near the front of entrance to the boat club. A horse with trainer and a horse ride around the lake, not at all a bad idea.

How to reach there?

Airlines

There are three airports, closest to Kodaikanal:

• Trichy 150 km
•  Madurai 120 km
•  Coimbatore 175 km.

Schedules of flights from these Airports

                                                                                             Madurai

            Flight no.                                  Departure                                                                   Arrival

                                               Place                        Time                                      Place                                       Time

                                                                                        Trichy

       Flight no.                                                         Departure                                                     Arrival

                                         Place                   Time                      Place                   Time                            Days

Roads

One can reach Kodaikanal via any one of the ghat routes on either side of the hills. The oldest one is the Kodai road. Another one from palani is comparatively steeper and ghat route is longer than Kodai road. The road infrastructure of Kodaikanal includes a wide range of routes that connect the place with many important locations. Places such as Chennai, Trichy, Coimbatore, Ooty, Madurai and Kumili have direct road links with Kodaikanal.

Distance of places from Kodaikanal

• 170 km – Coimbatore
• 260 km – Ooty
• 80 km   – Palani
• 120 km – Madurai
• 520 km – Chennai
• 160 km – Trichy
• 278 km – Rameswaram

Buses

Kodaikanal is located at a distance of 90 kms from Dindigul city and various private and state buses ply from the district and other parts of the state. Plenty of tourist bus services to reach Kodaikanal from Madurai, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Kochi and Chennai. Tourist service providers offer many deluxe, A/C luxurious buses to Kodaikanal at a rate of nearly Rs 3 to Rs 4 per km.

Cabs

Kodai road (80km) is best to reach Kodaikanal, Dindigul or Madurai.. The 2 to 3 hours drive to Kodai via the steep and winding Ghat roads from Batlagundu or Palani is a memorable experience. A hired car can cost you around Rs.1300. from Kodai road (80 kms).

Trains

Two major railway stations are nearby Kodaikanal. While Kodai railway station is at a distance of 80kms, the panali railhead is quite closer, at 64 kms. There are both passenger and express trains that pass through the Kodai Road railway station.

 Train no.      Train Name                       Source                           Destination                   Arrvl        Dprt.         Days

Both the railways stations at Kodai Road and Palani are equipped with a ticket booking counter and a tourist information cell. People coming from other Indian cities get all the required information regarding the departure and arrival of trains from the information cells of the Kodaikanal railway stations.