KODAIKANAL - THE IDEAL SUMMER GETAWAY

Kodaikanal is a beautiful hill station in Tamil Nadu located 120 km from Madurai and 135 km from Coimbatore on the Southern tip of Palani in the Western Ghats.

A British Lieutenant, Ward, first spotted Kodaikanal in 1821. In 1845, the first two bungalows - Sunny Side and Shelton were built by American missionaries with the help of an Englishman, Mr. Fane. Later many American families and the Britishers started settling in this hill station.

The Kodaikanal town has an area of 21.5 sq. km and is at an altitude of 2132 mtrs above sea level. The maximum temperature at Kodaikkanal in summer is 24 deg. C. with a min. of 10 deg. C, during winter it ranges from 8 to 17 deg. C. It rains heavily during October and December. April - June and September - October are considered as the "Seasons" - the season when the tariff for accommodation and supporting services are high.

The Kodaikkanal town nestles around the man-made Kodi lake which spreads out in a star shape over 60 acres of lush greenery. The lake is skirted by 5km of black-topped road which is quite enjoyable either for a walk or for cycling (bicycles are available on hire). This lake was laid out in 1863 by Sir Vere Hendry Levinge who was then the Collector of Madurai. The lake was originally stocked with fish. In 1890 the first Boat Club was formed and today there are 3-4 different Boat Clubs catering various varieties of boats, which are available on hire to the tourists.

To maintain the ecological balance of this scenic hill resort, the Kodaikanal municipality has banned plastic bags in the town and has also prohibited plying of motorboats in the lake. Without the permission of the forest department no tree can be felled here and also no structure beyond 4 floors can come up in Kodai. While these efforts of the authorities are laudable, it would go a long way if they ban the sounding of horns by vehicles which go around the lake. This apart from causing noise pollution, spoils the serenity of the place. The lake is fast getting polluted with the tourists dropping their litter in the lake and also it needs to be deweeded. The government has drawn up a project to clean the lake shortly.

The lake is the focal point of the town and all the prominent sightseeing places in Kodaikanal are in the range of 2-6 kms from this lake. Kodai is also famous for its home made chocolates & cheese.

While taking a boat ride or walking around the road which skirts around the lake, it's a treat to watch all the magnificent bungalows/cottages owned by many corporate big wigs amidst lush greenery.The hill station also boasts of a variety of flowers, including the 'Kurinji' (which blossoms only once in 12 years).



Places of Interest

While at Kodaikanal you have an option of either taking the conducted tour or hiring your own cab and visiting the different places of interest. The author of this article advises that you take your own cab if you are a group of more than 3-4 persons at Rs.700/- a day.

Coaker's Walk Mr. Coaker identified this hill-edge path in 1872 and it is opposite Bryant Park. It's a one-kilometer path, which runs along the steep slope on the southern side of Kodaikanal. The path is well laid with tiles and it gives a fantastic view of the plains. On the edge of the pathway one can relax on the black granite stone benches and watch the plains. Golf Course If you are a golfer you would love to play on this 18 hole wooded and hilly golf course, which is over a 100 years old. The beauty of the golf course is the wooded area which has over 200 wild bison and boars which can be seen late in the evenings. All the 18 greens are well protected from damages by the animals with metal cables. Adjacent to the Golf Course is the Suicide Point named so for its steepness. Also if one has a bad day at golf, the same can be utilized Silver Cascade Waterfalls It's about 8 km from the lake. In fact, it's an overflow of Kodai Lake coming down from a height of 180 feet. View from Coaker’s Walk Variety of Bicycles for hire 500-year-old trees on the mountain The Carlton Hotel

Bryant Park

This park is situated on the Eastern side of the lake. It is noted for its flowers, hybrids and grafts. Many varieties of cut flowers are exported from here. Flower shows are conducted every summer in the month of May.

The Pillar Rocks

Three boulders stand shoulder to shoulder vertically, measuring to a height of 122 meters providing a beautiful view. It is 7.4 kms from the lake. A stone's throw away from the Pillar Rocks is the Guna Caves.

Shenbaganur Museum

If you are a lover of flora and fauna, then you should visit the Shenbaganur Museum, which is maintained by the Sacred Heart College, founded in 1895. It's devoted to the archaeological remains of the flora and fauna of the hills. It also houses 300 species of Orchids and is reputed to be one of the best orchid collections in the country.


Berijam Lake

This is 21 kms from the Kodaikanal lake. It is a fine picnic spot offering beautiful scenery.

Palani, the famous pilgrim center is 64 kms from Kodaikanal. This place also can be visited.

Transportation:

One can reach Kodaikanal either by air from Madurai (20 kms) or Coimbatore (135 kms). From these two places one can hire a taxi which would cost Rs 1500 to Kodaikanal.

From Bangalore it is a ten hour drive by car. If travelling by train you can take the Tuticorin/Madurai Express which leaves Bangalore at 9.15 p.m. and reaches Kodi Road at 7 a.m. the next day. For your return journey you can take the Bangalore Express which leaves Kodi Road at 9 p.m. and reaches Bangalore at 7 a.m. the next day.

You can get down at the Kodi Road railway station which is 80 kms from Kodai and the taxi charges from Kodi Road would be around Rs.1000.

Apart from the above, regular bus services are also available.

Accommodation:

There are numerous hotels, resorts & cottages to suit all pockets at Kodai.
There are two tariffs - one during the "Seasons" (April to June; September to October) and the other during Off-Season.
The difference between the seasons is almost double.

The Carlton Hotel facing the lake costs around Rs. 5000 a day for double occupancy during the Season - it is one of the oldest and reputed hotels. Phone: 04542-40056-71

Hotel TamilNadu -
Phone: 04542-41336

Sterling Lake View -
Phone: 04542-40313/14

Taj Villa at Coakers Walk -
Phone: 04542-40940

Hotel Garden Manor -
Phone: 04542-40463/42176

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