Kodaikanal is a hill station on the southern tip of the upper
Palani Hills in Dindigul District of the state of Tamil Nadu in
southern India. Kodai is also a minor tourist attraction, and
many of the locals make their living through tourist services.
Kodaikanal is sometimes referred to as "Princess of Hill
stations".
There 32,931 inhabitants in Kodai (according to the 2001 census)
on 21.45 km˛. The languages spoken in Kodai are Tamil and
English. The best time fo r
traveling is April to June and September to October; however, the
town can be visited throughout the year. The temperature is
quite constant during the year: around 20°C in summer and 17°C
in winter. On summer evenings you should wear light woolens, in
the winter heavy ones. The average rainfall is 1650 mm
Places of Tourist Interest
Bear
Shola Falls
An ideal picnic spot 1.6 km from bus stand and within 2 Km off
the lake. Where once bears came to drink water. Hence the name
of the falls became Bear Shola falls. The approach is rugged
hill path. The falls are at the best in rains season.
Berijam Lake View
This place provides a panoramic landscape iess of Berijam
Lake and is located just t before one reaches the lake. This
view point is 19 km from Kodaikanal Lake.
Bryant Park
This park is situated on the eastern side of the lake it is
famous for its flower hybrids and grafts. Cut flowers are
exported from here. A glass house which shelters fine varieties
of flowers can be seen here. The Flower Show is conducted every
year during May, as pact of the summer festival.
Chettiar Park
Tucked away in the northeastern corner of the town, on the way
to Kurinji Andavar Temple, the Chettiar Park is a charming place
to stop by.
Coaker’s Walk
The hill-edged pathway was identified by Er. Coaker in 1872.
About a Kilometer from the lake. Coaker’s walk runs along a
steep slope on the southern side of Kodai. It offers some of the
best views of the plains. Entry fee is collected here.
Fairy Falls
A delightful picnic spot just 5 km Kodai Lake. There is a
beautiful waterfall here.
Green Valley View
It is about 5.5 Km from the lake and very near the Golf Club.
This point commands a beautiful view of the entire Vaigai dam.
As the Valley here is very deep, dense and dangerous this place
was once known as “suicide point”.
Golf
Club
Golf Club Situated on the road to the Pillar Rocks, the Kodai
Golf Club boasts of a well laid 18 hole course fit for
competitions at national level. Often the golfers teeing in the
early morning accost herds of wild animals. The Club is
exclusively for its members. Non- members and holiday’s golfers,
who want to play, have to pay a special subscription. The
tourists on the road have a glimpse of the whole range.
Kukkal Caves
Kukkal Caves For reach Kukkal Caves which is at a distance of 40
km, travel by bus up to Poombarai and then give a walk. After
walking through geranium plantations, pine and wattle forest,
the Kukkal forest lest house can he reached. The caves here are
actually overhanging slabs of rocks. This rock shelter is at an
altitude of 1500 m. The cave reveals traces of earliest settled
tribals, Paliyans who used to wear leaf clothing, over viewing
the caves. tire Manjampath valley where bisons can be seen.
Kurinji Andavar Temple
The temple, situated 3 Kms from the lake, is a famous shrine
dedicated to Lord Murugan. This temple is associated with the
Kurinji flowers which bloom once in 12 years. Kurinji also means
hill region in Tamil literature, and ‘Andavar’ means God. Hence
Lord Muruga is referred to as the God of the Hill here. From
this temple one can have a pleasant view of Palani and Vaigai
dam.
Kodal Lake
Lake provides a Beautiful View.The 24 - hectare lake skirted by
a 5 km long road, is the focal point of’ Kodai. This lake was
created in 1863 by Sir Vere Henry Levinge (1819 1885) who was
previously the Collector of Madurai, who retired and settled in
Kodai. He constructed the bond to form a lake and stocked the
lake with fish. He brought the first boat from Tuticorin. In
1890 a boat club was formed and members of the club set sail. In
1910 a new boat house was constructed.
Pillar Rocks
Pillar Rocks three boulders stand here, shoulder to shoulder,
vertically measuring 122 meters providing majestic sight. Pillar
Rocks is 7.4 km from the lake. It has a mini garden with lovely
flowers.
Shenbaganur Museum
This museum is maintained by the Sacred Heart College a
Theological Seminary founded in 1895. It is devoted to
preserving certain archaeological remains and the flora and
fauna of the hills, one of the best Orchidarinams in the
country, over 300 species of exotic orchids are housed here.
Entrance fee is Rs.1/- per head . Time: 10 am to lt.30 am and 3
pm. to 5 p.m.
Silent Valley View
Just a little away from the Pillar Rock - Berijam Lake Road, is
Silent Valley View which provides a breathtaking view of Silent
Valley.
Thalaiyar Falls
This is also called as Rat tail falls.
The widest falls, ranging from 13th kilometer on the ghat road
to Kodai. It is one of the highest flats in India, with their
975 ft sheer drop
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