Kodaikanal The gift of the forest

Serene Lakes surrounded by rocks, soothing air embracing the atmosphere of waterfalls, displays the mesmerizing magic of nature in the magnificent town of Kodaikanal. Located in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu,  this picturesque destination situated 7.2k feet above sea level. This spot famous for backpackers, and even students and casting an enchanting spell on them during their trip. The Kurinji flower, blossoms once in every 12 years imparts beauty and charm to Kodaikanal tourism.

When you consider Kodaikanal, you think about a great atmosphere, bluffs shrouded in fog, cloud-topped mountains and lovely lakes and valleys, and once you visit this slope station, you will locate that all of what you have envisioned it to be valid. Settled in the midst of the moving inclines of the Palani Hills in Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal remains at a height of 7200 feet above ocean level and has a cool, lovely atmosphere throughout the entire year. Kodaikanal implies the endowment of the timberlands.

Overview

Broadly known as the Princess of Hill Stations, Kodaikanal offers the ideal blend of culture and nature to voyagers, and its flawlessly manicured slants, picturesque cascades, moving slopes and clear lakes all meet up to make the ideal setting for a perfect mountain escape. Kodaikanal a place you can go to enjoy a reprieve from the rigors of everyday city life, and this slope station gives you a chance to kick back and associate with nature as you take off on biking or trekking trails or go for a walk through the enormous backwoods encompassing the town.

Kodaikanal definitely a paradise for adventure lovers with its activities ranging from cycling around the nearby valleys to trekking from the Berijam Lake or Dolphin nose to horse riding to even yoga sessions to rejuvenate oneself to paddling around the Kodaikanal Lake and feeling enchanted by the luscious green hills.

Places to visit in Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal Lake

Shaped like a star, magnificent 60-acre man-made lake one of the most popular Kodaikanal tourist places. Surrounded by the Palani hills,  the perfect spot for a scenic boat ride, clicking pictures and flower shows in the summer.

Pillar rock

8kms away from the bust stand lies one of the most famous tourist spots: 3 granite boulders standing shoulder to shoulder, with a height of about 400ft. These pillars offer a bird’s eye’s view of the beautiful gardens surrounding it.

Guna Cave

Located between 2 Pillar rocks, the fog outside it makes it look like a devil cooking, giving its name: Devil’s kitchen. This cave acknowledged for its tempting trekking paths towards the beautiful pine forests. But the narrow caves have been closed due to tragic deaths of 12 young people there and hence now it can only be viewed from afar.

Bear Shola falls

Just 3kms away from the bus stand a perfect picnic spot overlooking the beauty of the falls during the rainy season. The shola forest around the falls paradise for wildlife and trekking enthusiasts.

Berijam Lake

21kms away from Kodaikanal, this serene lake surrounded by mesmerizing forest where animals such as panthers, bison, deer etc. spotted. Berijam lake is a perfect relaxation spot with flowers surrounding it making for a beautiful view. The fire tower, lake view, medicine forests, and other attractions surround the lake. Open every day, except Tuesdays from 8 am onwards, the entry fee for vehicles is rs150 and allows the entry of only 80-100 vehicles per day.

Palni Hills

Absorb the splendor of the lush green peaks and the forest filled with wildlife here. The Palni hills also home to Lord Murugan, who is Tamil Nadu’s most worshipped deity.

Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple

Just 4kms away from the bus stop, the famous Kurinji flower blooms only once in every 12 years in this area devoted to Lord Murugan, built by a European lady in 1963 converted to Hinduism after coming to Ceylon.

Culture 

Festivals

The festivals here as vibrant as the natural beauty of Kodaikanal and hold its culture and tradition very close to their celebrations.

• Pongal, the harvest festival (in January), Natyanjali (in March/February) and Chithirai festival all celebrated with century-old customs and traditions.

  

• Mother Salette Church, a 133-year-old edifice hosts a 9-day festival in August every year and the 14th/15th of the month, a great feast is organized to conclude the celebrations.

  

• Kodaikanal also hosts the Summer festival (in May), flower exhibitions, fruit shows, and boat races and the tea and tourism festival (in January) with delicious south Indian food and cultural programs

Food

This heavenly hill station is home to Sindhi, Punjabi, and Gujarati cuisine, apart from the traditional south Indian food, all made with fresh locally grown vegetables.

Tava serves some of the best vegetarian North Indian food ranging from Gobi parathas to Sev puri at very affordable rates, whereas Organic food lovers can head to Eco-nut for some organic cheese and baked good, all freshly made. Tibetan food: Thukpa, Fuyong, and Momos available at Tibetan Brothers is also a must try.

Shopping

• Kiki’s bookshop is famous for its unique production of cheese, bread items, sauces.  Whereas Caroselli’s Montasio is famous for its delectable cheeses and George’s Gourmet Kitchen’s baked pieces of bread and Choco chip cookies, stone ground mustard. Which made for delicious souvenirs.
• Handicraft and handloom heaven Khadi emporium and Kashmiri Handicrafts Center’s exquisite range of leather products, woolen shawls, brass jewelry, lampshades, walnut wood, and bone articles.
• Normal oils and herbs utilized in fragrance based treatment, chocolates, sweaters, and shawls can be purchased from Bazaar street after a sound round of haggling.

Climate

The weather in Kodaikanal moderate throughout the year with summer lasting from March to May. Monsoon lasts from July to August and then a pleasant winter from November to February.

April to June in Kodaikanal is Peak Season. The period from February to March and July to September is the low season. Hence most tourist spots aren’t crowded and the accommodation places virtually empty.

The accommodation options here range from cheap hotels in Kodaikanal to luxurious star ones.  Facilities like room service, multi-cuisine restaurants, entertainment packages that best if booked in advance. The resorts in Kodaikanal usually preferred by cosmopolitan couples and honeymooners.  Also offer colonial style cottages, spa facilities, and outdoor activities in Kodaikanal.

How to Reach 

By Air

The nearest airport: Madurai airport, 121kms away from Kodaikanal

By Road

By road the distance from Coimbatore to Kodaikanal is 170kms, from Chennai to Kodaikanal it is 513kms.  The distance of 463.9kms from Bangalore to Kodaikanal. One can also travel from Ooty to Kodaikanal by road 264kms.  Regular buses to luxury ones available from Theni, Tiruchirappalli, Thekkady etc.

By Train

By train, the distance from Madurai to Kodaikanal is a mere 41kms and by road, it is 112kms station. Kodai road station, Palani railway and Dindigul railway junction the closest railway stations at the distance of 80kms, 64kms, and 100kms respectively away from Kodaikanal.

Map Of Kodaikanal