KodaiKanal Travel Guide

Set 2100 metres above sea level, Kodaikanal is a popular hill station retreat in South India. The cool climes of Kodai offer holiday makers respite from the steamy plains of Tamil Nadu and other neighbouring states. Encompassed by verdant slopes that are punctuated by waterfalls and cascades, Kodaikanal presents some awesome scenic views of the plains below. The surrounding forests provide great trekking trails for the outdoor enthusiast and if you are not too adventurous, the Kodai Lake located at the heart of the town is the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll or boat ride.

Kodaikanal was established by American missionaries around 1845, a refuge from inhospitable climes and the dreaded malaria. Besides being an escape from the heat, the town is also filled with residential schools. Today it has some of the best residential schools in the country, with the Kodaikanal International School leading the pack.

SHOPPING:

The major places to shop in Kodaikanal are the Khadi Emporium, Handloom Co-operative Stores and Travancore Crafts Work, Government Sales Emporium, Kurinji Mini Supermarket, Spencer and Company. The best buys would be handicraft and handloom items, khadi products, etc.

CLIMATE:
Visit Kodaikanal from April to June or August to September. This is when the weather is at it's best - temperatures stay in the region of a comfortable 20°C to a bracing 10°C. The months between October and March are wet and cold, so it is best to avoid being here at this time.

EXCURSIONS:

Madurai: .Madurai, known, as 'The Temple City of South India' is one of the oldest cities in India. Visit Meenakshi Sundareswara Temple with its soaring towers (the tallest over 160 feet), Golden Lotus tank, the Thousand Pillared Hall and the Temple Art Museum. Evening witness the daily aarti ceremony and later visit the 18th century Thirumalai Naikan Palace, which exemplified the Indo-Saracenic Style of Architecture.

Kodaikanal: One of India's best known Hill stations situated on the southern crust of the Palani Hills. Well laid out walking path through picturesque prospects, tumultuous water falls and steep rock out drops.

Kodaikanal: . Bryant Park, Coakers Park, Green Valley view and Pillar Rocks. Overnight at hotel.

Munnar: Munnar enjoying the scenic beauty & the marvelous waterfalls, high mountains with the low flying clouds passing by. Arrive Munnar and check in at hotel. In the evening you can go for sight seeing of Munnar and witness tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometers, lust green hills, a place so difficult to describe, very low population too far from pollution, most of the covered by Tata tea. Overnight at hotel. Munnar which includes the Raja Malai, a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats), Muttupetty dam, Indo Swiss project, you can also enjoy boating in the Lake (optional). Overnight at hotel.

Cochin: .Cochin to cover Chinese Fishing Nets, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace etc. Overnight at the hotel.

Kodaikanal Lake

Silver Cascade Kodaikanal

Attractions and Places to Visit in KodaiKanal

Kurinjin Temple:- Kurinji Andavar Temple is at a distance of 3 Kms from the lake. This is a famous shrine dedicated to Lord Muruga. This temple is associated with the Kurinji flower which carpets the hill side and blooms once in 12 Years.

Bryant Park:- This park, situated on the eastern side of the lake, is full of colourful flowers. Cut flowers are exported from here. In May, the annual horticultural show is held. Varieties of flowers can be seen in a glasshouse. The annual horticultural show is held here in May.

Pillar Rocks:- About 7 km from the lake. There are three rocks magnificently jutting into the sky to a height of about 400 feet.

Coaker's Walk:- A kilometre's walk from the lake. It derives the name Lt. Coaker, who prepared the map of Kodai. Coaker's Walk runs along a steep, emerald green wooded slope. From Coaker's Walk one can have a breath-taking view of the plains below.

Silver Cascade:- Silver Cascade waterfall is located on the Ghat Road about 8-km from Kodaikanal. The overflow of Kodai Lake comes down here as 180 feet high falls.

How to Reach KodaiKanal

Air : The nearest airport is at Madurai (120 km from Kodaikanal).

Rail : The nearest railway stations are the Kodai Road Railway Station (80-km) and the Palani Railway Station (64-km).