Kodaikanal - the princess of hill stations

Place : Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

Altitude : 2.133 m

Temperature : Max 17.3ºC, Min8.3ºC in winter; Max 19.8ºC, Min 11.3 ºC in Summer

Importance : Kodaikanal is one of three hill stations in Tamil Nadu with wooded slopes, mighty rocks, enhancing waterfalls and an excellent lake

Season : Any time except the late monsoons from September to November

Clothing : Light woolen in the evening during summer and heavy woolen during winter

Kodaikanal populary known as the princess of hill stations is positioned in the midst of the folds of the luxuriant Palani hills in Tamil Nadu in the Western Ghats at an elevation of about 2133 m. The gorgeous hill station covers an area of 21.45 Sq.km. is situated 120 Km away from Madurai, in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu.
Kodai hills were preoccupied by the primordial tribes of Paliyans and Pulyans during the 14th century and later on by the villagers of Palani foothills who ran away from the plains to flee the tyrannical rule. The Europeans began to explore the position after Lt. B.S. Ward, who called upon Kodai hills in 1821, put forward a report about the exquisiteness and the climate of the place. Urbanized in the 18th century, the hill station was progressively recognized by American Madura Mission along with British Missionaries who erected dwelling, churches, schools and set up and planted new trees to make Kodai what it is found at the moment. Quite a lot of personage who stopover at the place furthermore put in to all just regarding development of the place. Currently Kodai is enclosed by densely wooded slopes, waterfalls and a gorgeous man prepared lake in the centre in the region of which the town is positioned. The hill town is celebrated for its educational institution of international reputation. The Kodaikanal Observatory, prevailing over the hill is one of the most significant and the merely one of its variety institutions in India for the study of meteorology, solar physics and allied subjects.

Kodaikanal has a revitalizing climate where temperature do not vary a great deal from summer to winter. Fruits similar to plums and plantains grow copiously on the forested slopes separately from a wide assortment of flowers, along with which is the renowned Kurinji flower which blooms on one occasion in twelve years. Kodaikanal is a tranquil place with abundant attractiveness for those who want to go away from the warmth and miasma of the grimy plains for the duration of the summer months and for those on the lookout for adventure with its plentiful treks which range from 8km to 27km hikes in forest trail.

Contact: District Forest office (DFO) for trekking details and necessary permissions.
Phone: 91- 04542 -240287
Beri- Jam (23 km), a stunning reservoir amid dense forests is a charming trek.

Lake View: The chief magnetism for the visitors of Kodaikanal is the human prepared Kodai Lake which is at a remoteness of 3 km from the bus stand. The lake having shaped like star dazzling similar to a jewel in the midst of the bright green Green wooded incline, was shaped in 1863 by Sir Vere Hentry Levinge, who was the then Collector of Madurai, on retirement settled down in Kodai.

By expenses his individual money he transformed the marshy land with quite a few streams into a lake by the construction of a sturdy bund. He fetched boats from Tuticorin and prearranged boat rides in the lake and stocking the lake with fish. He introduced more than a few foreign trees and fruits for instance Pine forms, Pears and designed and executed quite a lot of approach roads to Kodaikanal.

This 60 hectare lake is delimited by excellent bituminous road of 5 km length which gets around 45minutes to walk. At the lake one may pamper in actions like boating and angling. The boat clubs make available boats for hire. Luxury boats are as well obtainable. At the moment tourists pander to in walking, sailing, riding horses and cycle in and in the region of the lake. Fishing in addition can be done after obtaining consent from Inspector of Fisheries. Pony rides by children and adults in the region of the lake are elements of Kodai Holiday. The boat club and the Levinge memorial fail to notice the water.

Bryant Park:

The Park is positioned in the core of the town. This park was in the beginning designed and created by the forest officer Mr. H.D. Bryant, during the year 1908 and name has been given after his name. The wonderfully preserved park pulls out over a region of 20.5 acres and is distinguished for flowers, hybrid and graft. From its bygone days there is an existence of the artificial pool.

There are more than 320 species of trees and shrubs. Cut flowers are sold overseas from this very place. A glass house which gives protection over fine assortment of flowers can be observed here. A Flower show is performed every year at some stage in May, as a component of Summer Festival. There is an elderly Eucalyptus tree which is about 150 years of age along with a Bodhi tree which append to the importance of the park. Decorative plants are cultured in a nursery for vending. A large section is prearranged for just about 740 varieties of roses.


During the year 1872, Lt. Coaker hacked a trail all along the ridge of a sheer slope on the south eastern elevation of Kodai, which commends a splendid vision of the plains underneath. Just half a km away from the town, this hill edging path way was given name after him as Coakers Walk. The one km walk snaking around Mt. Nebo begins in the vicinity of van Allen hospital and joins the chief road above St. Peter's Church provide a wide-angled spectacular view of the plains. It offers some of the best views that of the plains.

On a sunny, clear day one can have fascinating sights, such as Dolphin's nose in south, the Pambar River valley in South East, bird’s eye view of Periyakulam and yet the city of Madurai. An extraordinary talk about ought to be made of a occurrence known as Brachem Spectre in the Coakers walk which takes place very infrequently one can perceive his shadow on the clouds with a rainbow corona, whilst sun is in the rear of him with cloud along with mist in frontage. An entry fee of Rs.5/- is charged for entry per head at this point.
Kurinji Andavar Temple:

The temple positioned nearly 3.2 km from the lake is committed to Lord Murugan. The meaning of Kurinji Tamil literature is Hilly Region and Andavar implies God. From this temple, one can get an outlook of the northern plains and Palani Hills. The purple blue colored kurinji flowers which bloom once in 12 years carpeting the slopes in the region of the temple.

Bear Shola Falls:

It is so named for the reason that it on one occasion attracted bears, it is a favorite picnic mark, nearly 1.6 Kms distance from the lake, and 2 kms from the bus stand. Bear Shola Falls can be arrived at all the way through a striking rugged hill corridor. There are numerous other falls in Kodai, the most important one amongst them is the silver cascade.
Pillar Rock:

Positioned 7km from Kodai is the Pillar Rock, three configurations of granite greater than 120 m high, position shoulder to shoulder, which provides a gorgeous vision. It has a minute garden with exquisite flowers. The Pillar rock is occupied with caves and chasm, an enchantment for the adventure hunters. There are in excess of 100 dolmens and other megalithic remnants that have been revealed in the Palani hills, every thing datable in the region of the 2nd century AD.

Flora and Fauna Museum:

The Flora and Fauna Museum nearly 5.6 Kms from the lake, is uphold by the Sacred Heart College situated at Shembaganur. A Theological Seminary was established in 1895. It is dedicated to the archaeological leftovers and the flora and fauna of the hills. One of the most excellent Orchidoriums of the country with further than 300 species is as well to be found here. Father Ugarthe, Spanish people threw in his chief compilation to the Museum. A wide range of collection of birds grouped as ground birds, water birds, tree birds and huge lofty flying birds such as Black Eagle, Vulture, Honey Buzzard, and Crested Hawk Eagle.

Silver Cascade:

The waterfall is positioned on the Ghat road that leads to Madurai and is nearly 8Kms from Kodaikanal. The spill over of Kodai Lake comes downward at this point as 180 feet elevated falls. If the temperature of water is proper, tourists can take bathe in the waterfall.

Summer Festival:

A summer festival is apprehended each year in May in which boat race, flower and fruit displays are especially prearranged to append to the magnificence. Cultural programs are in addition conducted for the duration of the festival.

How to Reach

By Air : The adjoining airports are at Madurai about 120 km from Kodaikanal and the Coimbatore airport.

By Rail : The adjacent railway stations are the Kodai Road Railway Station (80km-3hrs) and the Palani Railway Station (64 km) in the north Dindigul Railway Junction (120 km).

By Road : Kodaikanal is linked by road with Chennai (520-km), Ooty (264-km), Trichy (197-km), Coimbatore (175-km), Kumili (160-km), and Madurai(120-km-3 1/2 hrs). Regular bus services are available from Madurai (120 km), Palani (60 km-3hrs), Kodaikanal Road, Theni, Dindigul (100 km), Tiruchirapalli, Kumuli (Thekkady) and Coimbatore. Extra buses ply throughout the season.

Local Transport: Taxis and vans are obtainable for local transportation. There are no auto-rickshaws available in Kodaikanal. Bicycles can be obtained on hire atop the bazar.