Kodaikanal

This particular city is located in the hilly regions of the Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu. This city is also referred to as the “Princess of Hill Stations” and has been serving as a holiday destination since the erstwhile days. The city was established in the year 1845 as a destination people could travel to beat the soaring temperatures of southern India.

Historical Significance and Location

The earliest known inhabitants of this area were the Palaiyar tribe however in the year 1845 the British and Americans began the construction of the new/present Kodaikanal town.

The town/city of Kodaikanal is located on a plateau at an elevation of 6998 ft above sea level and is sandwiched between the Parappar and Gundar Valleys. This ideal location that provides the hill station with pleasant weather conditions, mesmerizing scenes and tranquillity allures people towards a Kodiakanal holiday.

Tourist attractions

Kodaikanal tourism has a large base and is filled with places of tourist interest. There are numerous things to do and see here of which some of the best are:

Lakes- the Berijam Lake and the Kodai Lake are two of the most pristine lakes that you can visit when here. However visiting Berijam Lake needs special permission from the forest department and the lake allows no water sports. On the other hand the Kodai Lake has facilities of boating which can be very enjoyable.

Coacher’s walk- this place with its scenic views of the valleys is a great place to sit and wonder in amusement at the beauty of nature. During the winter months you can see the clouds nestled in the valleys which make a grand sight to see.

Suicide point- this place with its drop of 5000 feet is a great place to visit as it has great scenic views. Moreover the rocky cliffs that jut out steeply which is also known as the ‘Pillar rocks’ is a grand sight to see.

Devils Kitchen- as the name suggests this place is not for the light hearted. This place is more of a local haunt however if you are into caves this is a must visit. The deep ravines and free falls that are concealed are a great risk here therefore one should be very careful while visiting this place.

Kurinjiandavar temple- located at a distance of about 4km from Kodai Lake this temple dedicated to Lord Muruga is a very revered one. The main feature of this temple is its flowers which bloom only once every 12 years. The view of the town and Palani hills from the temple is spectacular.

There are many other places to visit other than the mentioned ones however a few things that one should not skip when here are boating, trekking and cycling.

Getting In

The only way to Kodaikanal is roadways. There are airports and train stations nearby but the distance exceeds 100 kilometres. The nearest airport is that of Madurai which is 120 kms and the nearest train station is that of Kodai Road located 100 kms from the town. One can take taxis or bus from these places to reach the hill town.

Accommodations and Eateries

There are many places to stay and eat here. You can find your choice of hotel and restaurants that suit your budget. Some of the well known budget and luxury hotels here are Cranberry Residency, Greenland youth hostel, Kodai Retreat, The Carlton Hotel, Fairway inn and MARS cottages etc.

To dine in you can choose from a wide variety of restaurants such as Eden Paradise Restaurant, Pine and Petals, Rasoi, Tibetan Brothers, The royal Tibet, Tava etc.