kodaikanal Overview
About Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal, popularly known as Kodai, is situated among the Palani Hills at 2133m from sea level with its enchanting landscape. Unique to the Western Ghats and flowering once in every 12 years, the “Kurinji” shrub is found in abundance in Kodai.
The next blossoming will be in 2004. Kodai provides a soothing escape from the heat and haze of the plains. The best time to visit Kodai is April-June and Aug-Oct. The temperature ranges between 8o C to 20 0C.
Kodaikanal is 120km from Madurai and 64km from Palani. The nearest airport is Madurai. The nearest railhead is Kodai road, 80km from Kodai where one can get connection to the long distance trains. At Kodai road, railway retiring rooms and Hotel Tamil Nadu run by TTDC are available for stopover.
Regular bus services operate to Kodai from different towns in the state. Visit : Shembaganur Museum, Silver Cascade, Kurinji Andavar Temple, Coaker's Walk, Kodai Lake, Pillar Rock, Bryant Park
Kodaikanal, or Kodai as it's better known, is a quiet hill station at an altitude of 2,195 m, on the southern ridge of the Palani hills in Tamil Nadu.
Kodai Sightseeing
Kodai Lake
A magnificent star-shaped lake glitters like a jewel amidst the emerald green wooded slopes. This 24 hectare lake is skirted by 5 Kms long, black tapped road is focal point of kodai, This lake was created in 1863 by Sir Vere Hendry Levinge, who was the collector of Madurai, retired and settled in kodai.
Coaker's Walk
A kilometre's walk from the lake. It derives the name Lt. Coaker, who prepared the map of Kodai. Coaker's Walk runs along a steep, emerald green wooded slope. From Coaker's Walk one can have a breath-taking view of the plains below.
Bryant Park
This park is situated on the eastern side of the lake. It is noted for flowers, hybrids and grafts, Cut flowers are exported from here.A glass house which shelters fine varieties of flowers, Flower show is conducted every year in May as part of summer festival.
Green Valley View
It is about 5.5 Kms from the lake and located very close to Golf club, it commands a beautiful view of entire vaigai dam, As the valley is very deep, dense and dangerous, recommended to see with precautionary measures.
Pillar Rocks
It is about 7.4 Kms from the lake. Three boulders stand shoulder to shoulder vertically measuring of about 122 meters providing a beautiful view. It has a mini garden.
Kurinji Andavar Temple
Kurinji Andavar Temple 3 kms from the lake. A famous shrine dedicated to Lord Muruga. This temple is associated with the Kuriniji flowers which carpet at hill sides blooms once in 12 years. Also Kurinji means hill region in Tamil literature. Andavar means God. Hence Lord Muruga is referred as God of Hill here. From this temple one can see a view of Palani and Vaigai Dam.
Solar Physical Observatory
Solar Physical Observatory 3.2 Kms. From the Lake Elevation is 2343 meters. It was founded in 1989 at the top most point in Kodai. Visitors are allowed to closely observe the start, planetary movements etc., during visiting hours and Prior appointments.
Telescope House
To enable the visitors to have a Panoramic view of the Galley and nearby towns, one telescope house is at Coakers walk. Enterance fee is coolected per head to see through telescope.
Shenbaganur Museum
This museum is Maintained by the Sacred Heart College. Theological Seminary founded in 1895. It is devoted to archaeological remains and the flora and fauna of the hills. One of the best orchidoriums in the country with more that 300 species of orchids is also housed here. It is about 5.6 Kms from the lake. A Spanish Father Ugarthe, contributed his major collections to the Museum. Entrance fee Rs one per head. Working hours 10 A.M to 11.30 A.M and 3P.M to 5P.M .
Thalaiyar Falls
This is also called as a Rat tail falls, The widest falls ranging from 13th Kilometer on the Ghat road to Kodai. It is one of the highest fall in India, with their 975 feet drop.
Berijam Lake
This is another big artificial lake in the upper regions of palani hills. It is a fine picnic spot offering beautiful scenery. It is 21 Kms from the Kodaikanal lake, Periyakulam town gets drinking water from the lake.It was first discovered and reclaimed in 1864 by Colonel Hamilton of the British Army. The Sheer beauty of the lake made it yet another tourist spot in kodaikanal.
Chettiyar Park
A neat little park off the beaten tract is in north east corner of the town, on the way to kurinji Andavar temple.
Palani
It is 64 kms from kodaikanal, famous pilgrim center of the South and one of the six abodes of Lord, Dhandayuthabani. Direct frequent bus are available from Kodaikanal.
Bear Shola Falls
An ideal picnic spot 1.6-km from bus stand and within 2 Kms of the lake, where once bears came to drink water. Cross the lake bund, pass the Telephone exchange on your right, and at the junction.
Dolphins Nose
To reach Dolphins nose at a distance of 8 kms from the bus stand, one has to follow the route specified here.There is an old road after crossing Pambar Bridge near levinge stream. A rough curve rounds the hillside which leads to a point where a flat rock projects over an awful chesm of 6600 feet deep. This is Dolphins nose. On the way, beautiful views of plains and steepy rocky eascarpeints called rolling hills can be seen. The old village of vellagavi can be reached through the rugged bridle path.
Lutheran Church
Almost cheek by jowl with the Kodaikanal School is the Lutheran Church - a Gothic stone building with stained glass windows and modern paintings and batiks portraying scenes from the life of Christ. Nearby is an even more famous church - Christ the King Church - again, a very Gothic and solemn granite structure with stained glass windows. The names of the buildings in Kodaikanal are very evocative: 'Loch End' and 'Mansarovar' - these two houses by the lakeside bridge the time span from colonial times to the present. Hillbrook, Furzbank, Wood-cote, Whispering Pines, and Rock Cottage all conjure up the beauty and spirit of their natural ambience.
Silver Cascade
8 Kms from the lake. The overflow of Kodai lake comedown here as 180 feet high falls. If the water temperature suits, tourist can take bath.
Pambar Falls
"Grand Cascade" is the another name for this magnificent falls. It can be reached by a steep, precipitous path behind pambar house. The Pambar River is a Ziz zagging stream that crusaded over a serious of rock formations and precipes.
