Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

Kodaikanal, also known as Kodai, is a beautiful hill station at an altitude of about 2,133 m high on the southern ridge of Palani hills in Western Ghats. Wooded hills, pleasant walks, picturesque waterfalls and magnificent lake make Kodaikanal one of the most beautiful hill stations in India. The area of Kodaikanal is 21.45 sq km and it's population size is 27,461., while Kodaikanal receives annual average rainfall of 165 cm. But it can be visited throughout the year. Heavy rainfall occurs during October to December. One of the world's oldest solar observatories is situated in Kodaikanal, built in 1899.

The pride of Kodaikanal is the Kurinji-Flower, which blossoms once in 12 years. The hill-plantain fruits and plums are known for their freshness and taste.

Climate:
Summers: In summer average maximum and minimum temperatures are around 19.8 degree and 11.3 degree respectively.

Winters: In winter average maximum and minimum temperatures are around 17.3 and 8.3 degree.

Suggested Clothing:
Summers: Light woollens in evening during summer.

Winters: Heavy woollens during winters.

Languages Spoken: Tamil and English languages are in common usage.

Best time to visit: April to June and September to October is the best season to visit Kodaikanal.

How to reach there:
Kodaikanal is located 120 km away from Madurai, 479 km from Chennai, 450 km from Bangalore, 421 km from Mysore, 244 km from Coimbatore, 473 km from Thiruvananthapuram, 1,016 km from Hyderabad, 374 km from Kanyakumari, 251 km from Thanjavur, 477 km from Mamallapuram, 258 km from Pondicherry and 479 km from Ooty.

Air: Nearest airport is at Madurai. Buses and car are easily available from Madurai airport to Kodaikanal.

Rail: Nearest railhead is Kodai Road.

Road: Buses from Madurai and Dindigul climbs the spectacular road up the steep hillside to Kodai. Regular bus services are available from Kodaikanal to Kodai Road, Theni, Erode, Kumuli, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Palani and Trichy.

What to see:
The Kurinji Andavar Temple: This temple is 3.2 km away from town, and is dedicated to Lord Subramanya.

Flora & Fauna Museum: East of the town centre, about 3 kms south down Law's Ghat Road, is the Flora and Fauna Museum (daily except Sun 10-11.30 am & 3.30-5 pm). It has a collection of stuffed animals.

Byrant's Park: To the south of the town is Byrant's Park, with tiered flower beds and backdrop of pine, eucalyptus, rhododendron and wattle, which stretches southwards to Shola Road.

Telescope Houses: To enable the visitors to have a panoromic view of the valley and the nearby towns, two telescope houses have been put up at Kodai.

Observatory: This lies at the topmost point in Kodai (850 feet above the lake). The Observatory is used mainly for research in meteorology and solar physics.

Lake: Kodaikanal's focal point is its star shaped lake, sprawling over 24 hectares just west of the town centre and popular place for strolls or bike ride along five kilometre path. Pedal or row boats can be rented on the eastern shore.

Pillar Rocks: One of the Kodai's most popular natural attractions is Pillar Rocks, a series of granite cliffs rising 100 meters above the hillside, 7 kms south of town. It offers the best views of Kodaikanal.

Bear Shola Falls: is about 1.6 km from the lake, Bear Shola Falls is an ideal picnic spot. Bears once used to drink above the falls.

Orchid House & Silver cascade Falls: the orchid house is spectacular and well worth to look on the way to Silver Cascade Waterfalls a further 2 kms along. At the Orchidarium at the Sacred Heart College, there are about 300 species of orchids bloom.

Coaker's Walk: About a km from the lake. it derives the name from Lt. Coaker, who prepared the map of Kodai. Some of the best views of the plains can be seen from here.

Green Valley View: It is about 5.5 km from the lake and very near the Golf Club. from here the Vaigai Dam below offers an enchanting view.

Dolphin's Nose: A curious rock formation, 8 kms from the bus stand. This flat rock 2000 metres above sea level projects over a yawning chasm.

What to shop: Some good places to shop are Khadi Emporium, Handloom Cooperative Stores and Travancore Crafts Work, Government Sales Emporium, Kurinji Mini Super Market, Spencer & Company. Delicious home-made chocolate is a speciality of kodaikanal, and is available in many shops in town. Don't forget to place your orders in the morning, because you will find them all gone by the evening.