Kodaikanal -Tourism

Are you thinking of short vacation which can provide you with you with a refreshing environment so that you can rejuvenate yourself for the hustle bustle of day to day life? Kodaikanal offer amazing holidaying opportunities to everyone. From honeymoon to family trip to adventure holidays to religious tour, Kodaikanal offers something for each and every one. Often referred as "Princess of Hill stations", Kodaikanal is one of the most popular tourist destinations. The hill station is located in the Palani hill range, under the administrative control of Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. This town of Tamil Nadu has mesmerizing settings and exciting activities to offer its guests. "The Gift of the Forest", the city of Kodaikanal presents its tourist with complete holiday package with wide range of activities to do while holidaying. From trekking routes to temples to museums to caves to falls to parks and lakes, you will have more than just one option to keep yourself engaged while holidaying on this hill station. Along with striking natural settings and a soothing and calm environment, you will also find many other places good for sightseeing in this town in the Palani hills which have been designed by the missionaries of America.

Places in Kodaikanal- A paradise on Earth, Kodaikanal is one of the popular tourist spots promising a memorable vacation to each and everyone. With natural forms varying from rocks to trekking routes to temples to museums to caves to falls to parks and lakes, the hill station of Kodaikanal presents amazing holidaying options catering to tourists coming from all over the world, belonging to different age group and with different purposes like honeymoon, family trip, adventure holidaying or a religious/spiritual tour. Kodaikanal, often called as "Princess of Hill stations" greet you with a refreshing and soothing environment, mesmerizing scenic beauty, exciting activities and a luxurious stay with all kinds of modern comfort and facilities. Located in southern crest of the Palani hills under the administrative control of Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, the hill station of Kodaikanal is at a distance of about 120 km from Madurai and is at an altitude of 2100 metres. "The Gift of the Forest", Kodaikanal offers everyone with a complete tour package with wide range of activities to do while holidaying. Some of the interesting places that you have worth visiting are Berijam Lake, Coakers Walk, Bryant Park, Kurinjiandavar Temple, Green Valley View/Suicide Point, Pillar Rocks, Silent Valley View, Devil's Kitchen, Guna Caves, Pine Forest, Shanthi Valley and Silver Cascade.

Some of the important places that must be visited during your Kodaikanal trip are:

Kodai Lake: This lake has an exceptional role to play not just in the beauty of the land but also it its name. It is Kodai Lake from which the name of Kodaikanal has been derived and thus making it one of the most crucial place to have at least one visit of yours. Built in 1983 by Sir Vere Henry Levinge, a former District Collector of Madurai, it is 500 metres (1,600 ft) and is spread out in a star shape over 60 acres along with being surrounded by fine tarred road of 5 Kms length. Boating on the lake along with pony rides around the lake are enjoyable and relaxing.

Shenbaganur Museum: It was founded in 1895 and presents excellent opportunity to have a close look at various artifacts of ancient Paliyans tribes. Along with this, you also have an exceptional collection of more than 300 exotic orchid species, and almost 500 species of animals, birds and insects.

Dolphin's Nose: It is located about eight km from the lake, and presents you with a breath taking view of the chasm that is 6,600 metres (21,700 ft) deep. This is a flat projecting rock that is quite secluded and undisturbed and can be reached through a steep rocky trail beginning soon after Pambar Bridge.

Berijam Lake: This 3 km long lake is 21 km from Kodaikanal. If you are looking for some relaxed time or a picnic, this is one of the best places in kodaikanal. Surrounded by pine forest, this lake makes for an amazing picnic spot.

Kukal Cave: It is 40 km away from the hill station of Kodaikanal. But if you are a lover of camping and trekking, this is the best site for one.

Telescope House: It is located at Coaker's Walk, constructed by Lt. Coaker in 1872 and is a 1-kilometre paved pedestrian path that runs along slopes on the southern side of Kodai. Telescope house offers tourist with the opportunity to have a breath taking view of the valley and other nearby towns.

Kurinji Andavar Murugan Temple: The temple is dedicated to the Lord Muruga who is referred as 'God of hill'. Just famous 3 kms from the lake, it is vaery famous for its Kurinji flower which blossoms in the area only once every 12 years. Along with this, you can also have amazing view of the Palani and Vaigai dam from this temple.

Apart from this temple, there are many other religious places as well such as the Mariamman Temple, Vinayagar Temple, Murugan Temple, two mosques at Ellis Villa and Munjikal, sacred Heart Church and many more.

Vembadi Peak: It is the second highest peak and has a height of 2466m. You can reach the place by taking a right turn in Berijam road along with a steep climbing. You are offered with splendid view of Berijam lake, Vandaravu range, Mannovanur sheep farm , Poombarai valley and many other places from top. The hike for the Vedambi Peak begins from Kodaikanal TV Tower.

Pillar Rocks: Located 8 Kms away from the lake, Pillar rocks constitutes of three granite boulders and each of a height of 400 feet standing shoulder to shoulder. It also makes for an interesting picnic spot. The chamber between the two pillars is called Devil's kitchen.

Falls: Kodaiknal has beautiful water falls as well to offer you with presenting a refreshing environment. Some of these are Silver cascade, Bear Shola Falls, Pambar Falls and Thalaiyar Falls.

You can visit the hill station at any time of the year as the temperature is always moderate. However, the best time to visit is in the months of April to June and September to October. Reaching Kodaikanal is also an easy task as it is well connected through various modes of transportation such as air, railways and roads.

Kodaikanal Fast Facts:

1. Altitude: 2,133 metres
   
2. Area: 2,068 sq km
   
3. State: Tamil Nadu
   
4. Distance from nearby Cities: Madurai 120 Km, Coimbatore 170 km, Chennai 520 km, Bangalore 500 km
   

Take away: Kodai cheese (cheddars, gruyere, and processed cheese), homemade chocolates, local embroidery work items, objects from Cottage Crafts Shop and Art Gallery where you can buy small art works and other souvenirs

Kodaikanal Weather:

• Summer Temperatures: 11°C  20°C
  
• Winter Temperatures: 8°C  17°C
  
• Best time to be here:
  
• Any time of the year is a good time for Kodaikanal. You may want to consider:
  
• April-May Peak tourist season; pleasant weather but crowded; May is a great time to catch the various horticultural shows held at Byrant Park Kodaikanal.
  
• September - October Excellent weather and less crowded
  
• Avoid November for possible long spells of rain and January for its winter chill
  

Reaching the hill station is not very difficult, as you have all the modes of transportation for yourself. You can choose from air to roads to railways whichever suits you the most and is as per your budget and convenience. You can even hire you own car and travel to the hill station at your won pace enjoying the scenic beauty side by side.

One of the most interesting of all the places is Kodai Lake. It is Kodai Lake from which the name of Kodaikanal has been derived. Thus on your visit to the hill station, visit to the lake shouldn't be missed in any case. There ream any other interesting places to go for sightseeing. Some of these are Berijam Lake, Coakers Walk, Bryant Park, Kurinjiandavar Temple, Green Valley View/Suicide Point, Pillar Rocks, Silent Valley View, Devil's Kitchen, Guna Caves, Pine Forest, Shanthi Valley and Silver Cascade. After visiting these places and spending some quality time with the nature, if you are in mood to pamper yourself, you can go for shopping. Khadi Emporium, Handloom Co-operative Stores and Travancore Crafts Work and Government Sales Emporium are some of the good places offering some interesting gift options to take home for your loved ones.

Not just natural setting but also the accommodation facilities on the hill station are excellent and caters to wide range of choices, promise a wonderful vacation to all the tourists coming from different parts of the world and belonging to different age group with varied purposes of visits. From nature lover to someone looking for a spiritual experience to someone looking for some adventure, Kodaikanal will not present with few of the best moments of your lives.

The best time to visit Kodaikanal is in the months of April to June and September to October, although the climate is mostly moderate and pleasant throughout the year. However, it is always advisable to carry some woolen with yourself as the temperature can get slight chilly in between.