kodaikanal travel guide

7/24/2019 Kodaikanal Travel Guide

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KodaikanalKodaikanal is the most beautiful and popular hill station in Tamil Nadu. It is located in the famous Palani Hills in

Western Ghats and is known as the Princess of hill stations. Kodaikanal is situated about 7,200 feet from the sea level.

Kodaikanal is the most sought after honeymoon destination in South India because of its scenic beauty and it has the

attribute to leave any nature lover mesmerized by its charms.

The word Kodaikanal means gift of the forest in local language. The dense forest with many varieties of trees, the hugerocks in the wilderness and the enchanting waterfalls makes it a real gift for the tourists visiting this place. Kodaikanal is

famous for eucalyptus oil, homemade chocolates, plums and pears. Kodaikanal is famous for the kurinji - flowers,

which blossoms only once in twelve years. Woolen clothing is available at cheaper rates in the Tibetan refugee bazaar.

There are many internationally renowned educational institutions like Kodaikanal international school, Kodaikanal

Christian College etc, in and around Kodaikanal. Mother Theresa University, which is Indias one and only womens

university, is located in Kodaikanal.

A tourist can indulge in various activities - one can go for cycling, horse riding, boating, trekking and many more

adventurous activities. Kodaikanal is influenced with Christian culture and the sculptures in the churches of Kodaikanal

are worth a visit.

All types of food and neat hotels in all price ranges are available in Kodaikanal for a comfortable stay.

Must See/Do: Bear Shola Falls, Pillar Rocks, Devil's Kitchen, Green Valley View (Suicide Point)

HistoryKodaikanals history goes back to the pre historic times. The Dolems home, from the Chera Dynasty, made of great

stome slabs found in the city, speaks of the citys pre historic connection. The first inhabitants of Kodaikanal were

Palaiyar, who were tribal and flourished before the current era i.e. BCE.

Sangam Literature, belonging to the early Christian era also includes some details about the city. The Pulyans ruled

here during the 14th century. The fear of invasion of Tipu Sultan forced the people of Palani Foot hills to leave the

village and settle in the Kodi hills.

The first British identity to set foot on the land of Kodiakanal was Lt. B.S. Ward in the year 1821. For them, Kodaikanal

became the safe haven for the scorching summers of other parts of Tamil Nadu. Some of the renowned British

personalities to have visited this scenic town were - C R Cotton Judge who was a sub collector and Dr. Weight.

Dr.Fane, who got two houses constructed here.

Koidakanal got its first church in 1860 and further a lot many developments were taken place in event of the visits of

the prominent leaders like Governors of Madras Sir Charles Travelyon and Lord Napier during 1860 and 1871. The first

train service was started in 1875 when the route from Chennai to Madurai and Tuticorin was extended.

Travel within cityTravelling within Kodaikanal is very easy, as the town is very small and every part of the town can be easily accessed

through walk. There are buses available from travelling from the foothills to the hill station. The hill station region is very

well planned out and all regions lie close by.

BusYou can also opt for bus travel from the Kodaikanal foothills to the main hill station area. Bus fares in Kodaikanal will

range around Rs 10 to 20, depending on the class of travel (luxury or semi deluxe).

CycleCycles are also available in Kodaikanal for rent, and these are much preferred by tourists and locals alike. You can rentout a cycle or a bike for a day in order to travel around Kodaikanal and charges for renting a bike will be around Rs 300

to 350. This is the generally preferred mode of travel.

www.mustseeindia.com
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On FootWhile travelling within Kodaikanal, you can walk to all the destinations easily. This is one of the advantages of spending

your vacation in Kodaikanal. Almost all the major attractions, including Guna Caves, the Kodaikanal Lake and the

central street where all shops are present can be easily reached through walk.

Kodaikanal is a safe haven for all tourists, and you can walk around during night time without any qualms whatsoever.

Attractions

Subrahmanya Temple (Kartikeya Temple)

The Subramanya or the Karthikeya temple is located at a distance of 65 kms from Kodaikanal and is popularly known

as Palani temple. It is dedicated to Lord Subramanian or Dhandayuthapani. The word Dhandayuthapani means having

a stick in the hand as a weapon.

It is one of the famous temples in South India and is located at an altitude of 135 meters. Pilgrims can climb the 659

steps or can use the winch facility to reach the sanctum sanctorum. Tai Pusam in January is one of the major festivals

of this temple. The Panguni Uttaram is another festival conducted in April which draws many people from all over India

and across the globe as well.

Flora & Fauna Museum

The flora and fauna museum is a very educative tourist location in Kodaikanal and is popularly known as Shenbaganur

Museum. This museum preserves fossils as well as wide varieties of the flora and fauna of this hilly region and has an

orchidarium that has a collection of about 300 species of indigenous as well as exotic orchids.

This museum is maintained by Sacred Heart College which is a Theological Seminary that was formed in the year

1895. It is about a distance of 5 km from the lake.

Address

Kodaikanal

Timing

Daily, 10 am to 11:30 am and 3 pm to 5 pm

Charges

Re 1 per person

Bear Shola Falls

The Bear Shola falls is another favorite tourist spot in Kodaikanal and it is called so, because in earlier days bears used

to come and drink water from this fall. It is one of the most ideal picnic spots in Kodaikanal town and is at a distance of

about 2km from the lake and about 1.5km from the bus stand.

It is ideal to visit the Bear Shola Falls during rainy season to enjoy the beauty of the falls in its fullness. The approach

road to this falls is a rugged hill path and hence suitable means of transportation is necessary to reach the falls.

Address

Kodaikanal

Coakers Walk

Any tourist interested in morning walk will definitely have to visit Coaker's walk which is about 1 km from the lake and it

provides very picturesque view of the plains as well as scenic valleys that is sure to bring a joy in the minds of the

visitors. Coaker's walk is named after Lt. Coaker, who prepared the map of Kodaikanal.

A telescopic view house is there at Coaker's walk that will provide a panoramic view of the valley, plains and the

nearby towns and should not be missed by the tourists visiting the place. The ideal time to visit this place is before 2:30

pm in the afternoon as mist will start to set in over the valleys by late afternoons.

Address

Kodaikanal

Kodai Lake

One of the favorite spots of tourists visiting Kodaikanal is the Kodaikanal Lake that is popularly known as Kodai Lake.

This is an artificial lake that takes the shape of a star and is spread over 60 acres with greenery all around it.



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The Kodai Lake is a favorite spot for all who like to have fun and enjoy outdoor activities and boating along the

picturesque lake will be an unforgettable experience for the tourists. There is a boat club which offers pedaling and

rowing boats with different seating capacities at nominal charges. Apart from boating, cycles and horses are available

for rental in the lake area.

Address

Kodaikanal

Pillar Rocks

The Pillar rocks are three granite boulders which are seen standing vertically shoulder to shoulder and it is now a very

famous tourist spot for many visitors. These rocks are measuring a height of about 400 feet from the ground and the

chambers that are seen between the two pillars are known as Devil's Kitchen.

The Pillar Rocks have gained popularity as the years have passed by and during the peak season there is a huge rush

of visitors to this place. The shady woods that are in the vicinity of these huge boulders are a perfect spot to enjoy a

picnic.

Address

7 km from city center

Devil's Kitchen

Devil's Kitchen is a very dangerous deep hidden ravine that looks like small dark gutters but are actually a deep fall.

There are plenty of tourists who visit this place and is a must see spot for adventurous tourists.

The Devil's Kitchen is found to be lying between Green Valley View and Pillar Rocks. It is better for a tourist to seek the

help of localities while visiting the Devil's Kitchen as they are fully aware of the place. It is a very good place to take

pictures but due to the deep fall, many tourists hesitate to visit the place.

Address

Kodaikanal

Silent Valley View

The Silent Valley view is another important and attractive place that should not be missed by any nature enthusiast. It is

situated at a little distance from the Pillar Rock and is seen on the Berijam lake road and the breathtaking view of this

valley will be soothing to the eyes.

The panoramic view of this place will make the tourists to spend a lot of time watching the scenic beauty. Children

visiting this place has to be taken care by their parents as the valley is very deep and will at its very best when viewed

between early mornings and late afternoons.

Address

Kodaikanal

Bryant Park

Bryant Park, seen on the lake's eastern side, is another important botanical park that must not be missed by tourists

visiting Kodaikanal as it houses plenty of different varieties of flowers, rafts as well as hybrids.

A British forest officer by the name Bryant was the one who landscaped this park in the year 1980 and hence it is

named after him. This is the place where the annual vegetable and flower show is held during the month of May and is

the most visited place by many during the summer months. A glasshouse in the park contains wide varieties of flowers,

ferns and other ornamental plants.

AddressKodaikanal

Kurinji Temple

Kurinji Andavar Temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga who is considered to be the God of the Hills as per Tamil



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literature. In Tamil, Kurinji means hilly region? and the word Andavar refers to 'God'?.

This temple is located at about 5 km from the bus station and the summer festival that is most anticipated event by the

locals is celebrated in the month of May every year. Thousands of devotees visit this temple during the summer festival

to seek the blessings of Lord Muruga.

One can get a good view of Vaigai dam and Palani hills from the hill on which the temple is located.

Address

Kodaikanal

Silver Cascade Falls

This is the first attraction that unfolds in front of a tourist on the Madurai - Kodaikanal road. The excess water in the

Kodai Lake comes down as a fall at about 8 kms from Kodaikanal. It is like a pit stop for vehicles and tourists as there

are shops selling fruits and other forest products.

Silver Cascade falls is 180 feet high and the frothy water coming down through piles of rocks will attract any person.

The crystal clear water contains various minerals and taking a bath in this fall is very refreshing. Any nature lover can

sit and enjoy the beauty of this falls for hours.

Address

Kodaikanal

Green Valley View (Suicide Point)

Earlier known as Suicide point, now this area is known as Green Valley Viewand it provides a picturesque and

panoramic view of the plains, valleys, hills and the Vaigai dam.

The deep, dense and dangerous valley below this point is more than 5000 feet drop and to get a good view from this

point, it is better to visit the place after 10 am and before 3 pm, as early mornings and evenings will have mist covering

the valleys.

A tourist visiting Kodaikanal should definitely visit this viewpoint and plenty of monkeys seen in this area will be an

added attraction for the children as well as the adults visiting this place.

Address

Kodaikanal

Berijam Lake

Berijam Lake is the most attractive picnic spot for any tourist in Kodaikanal which is situated about 23 km from the local

bus stand.

Berijam Lake is a must see place as sighting of bison, leopard and other chirping birds are very common here. Apartfrom this, the tourists will also be able to take a boat trip along this beautiful lake and it will be a wonderful and

refreshing experience for them. Berijam can only be visited with the permission from the District Forest Officer as it is

not opened to general public.

Address

23 kms from local bus stand.

Bison Wells

Bison Wells can is an area that is best known for its tremendous amount of wildlife, as well as for its beautiful

vegetation. Wildlife commonly seen in the area include bison, birds, elephants, tigers, monkeys, and deer. Bison Wells

got its name from the many bison that come to the natural wells to drink.

This location is known as a great home base in India for those people that are interested in exploring the region.

Naturalists, hikers, trekkers, and birdwatchers are all drawn to The Palani Hills, and Bison Wells is a fabulous place for

such tourists to stay while they are in the area.



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Address

Near Kodaikanal (30 km)

Trekking

Kodaikanal is a paradise for trekking lovers as it offers different trekking routes for the professional trekker to the novice

trekker as well. Trekking routes with varying difficulty levels are there and a tourist can select the route according to the

fitness, time factor and one's trekking ability.

One of the toughest routes is from Periyakulam Adukkam- Kodaikanal which has a trekking distance of about 18 kmswhich can be covered within 7 hours.

For the trekkers who prefer easy walk, the route from Kodaikanal to Berijam will be the suitable one and the trekker will

be able to enjoy the green valleys and the mountain ranges surrounding Kodaikanal.

Address

Kodaikanal


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