Kodaikanal is a cool town nestled in the hills of the Dindigul district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. In Tamil, the name of the town translates to “The Gift of the Forest,” while in Malayalam, it is known as “The Princess of Hill Stations.” Situated above the upper Palani hills, the town is perched on a plateau at an altitude of 2,133 meters, nestled between the Parappar and Gundar valleys. The town’s core holds an irregular basin, at the center of which is the manmade Kodaikanal Lake.
The hills are covered with meadows and grasslands, while the valleys are home to tall Eucalyptus trees, Shola forests, lofty rocks, descending rivulets, cascading waterfalls, flower beds, and ever-present gardens. To the north of the town, high sloping hills act as natural guards, while to the east, the hills gently slope into the lower Palani hills. To the west, a plateau leads to the Indira Gandhi National Park, the Annamalai Hills, the Manjampatti Valley, and the main section of the Western Ghats.
Established in 1845, Kodaikanal serves as a peaceful retreat from the tropical, arid plains of the region. The town’s economy is largely driven by tourism and hospitality. Kodaikanal is also home to numerous churches and Hindu temples, which hold significant religious value.
- Location: Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, at 2,133 meters in the Western Ghats.
- Attractions: Kodaikanal Lake, Bryant Park, Coaker’s Walk, Pillar Rocks.
- History: Established in 1845 as a British retreat, with churches and temples.
- Best Time: April-June, October-January.
- Climate: Cool weather, surrounded by forests, waterfalls, and meadows.
- How to Reach: Accessible by air (Madurai, Coimbatore), train (Palani), and road.
Tourists’ Attractions nearby Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal Lake
Located just 500 meters from the bus stand, the artificial, star-shaped Kodaikanal Lake, built in 1863, attracts both locals and tourists. Visitors can hire rowboats and pedal boats at the Kodaikanal Boat Club. Additionally, horses and bicycles are available for short rides around the lake. The 5 km road surrounding the lake is ideal for a leisurely walk.
- Check out: Kodaikanal Tour Packages
Bryant Park
Located to the east of the lake, Bryant Park is a botanical garden designed in 1908 by H.D. Bryant, a forest officer from Madurai. The park is home to 325 species of trees, shrubs, and cacti, and features an impressive collection of flowers, including 740 varieties of roses. A 1857 Eucalyptus tree and a Bodhi tree are of significant religious importance here. The park produces ornamental plants in a nursery, which are sold to the public. Horticultural exhibitions and flower shows are held during the summer months. A nominal entrance fee is charged.
Coaker’s Walk
This 1 km pedestrian path was constructed by Lt. Coaker in 1872 along the steep slopes of Mount Nebo. It begins at Van Allen Hospital and intersects with the main road near St. Peter’s Church. The walk offers stunning views of the plains. On clear days, you can see the Dolphin’s Nose to the south, the valley of the Pambar River to the southeast, Periyakulam town, and Madurai city. A rare phenomenon known as the “Brocken Specter” may also be observed here, where you can see your own shadow projected onto the clouds when the sun is behind you and mist is in front. A nominal entrance fee is charged.
Bear Shola Falls
Located 3 km from the bus stand, Bear Shola Falls is a tall waterfall situated in a reserve forest. The falls can be reached by a footpath.
Green Valley View
Also known as Suicide Point, Green Valley View is located 5.5 km from the bus stand near the golf course. It offers a panoramic view of the plains. The area is well-planned with a stairway, and commercial shops attract tourists.
Pine Forests
In 1906, forest officer H.D. Bryant began planting pines in the southwest of Kodaikanal to obtain valuable timber.
Shembaganur Museum of Natural History
Located 6 km from the bus stand, this museum houses more than 500 species of animals, birds, and insects, as well as a living collection of 300 orchid species. Established in 1895, the museum also displays artwork from the early Palaiyar tribes, whose descendants still reside in the area.
Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, located 6 km from the bus stand at an altitude of 2,343 meters, has been in operation since 1901. It was here that the former director, John Evershed, discovered the Evershed Effect, a phenomenon of radial motion in sunspots. Visitors can use the Terrestrial Telescope to view the Sothuparai and Vaigai Dams, Periyakulam, and the Varaha River. The observatory also features an astronomical science museum, a library, and offers night-time telescopic sky viewing. The observatory is generally open on Fridays for a few hours, but during peak season, it is open daily.
Pillar Rocks
Located 8 km from the bus stand, Pillar Rocks is a collection of three gigantic rock pillars standing 122 meters tall. This viewpoint is managed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, and nearby, there is a public garden worth visiting.
Silver Cascade
Located 8 km from Kodaikanal on the winding Laws Ghat Road at an altitude of 1,800 meters, Silver Cascade is a waterfall formed by the outflow of Kodaikanal Lake. However, the water quality is not suitable for bathing. Visitors can enjoy the sights of fruit vendors, playful monkeys, and a smaller, quieter waterfall below the bridge crossing the stream.
- Suggested Tour: Popular Tamil Nadu Tour Packages
Dolphin’s Nose
Situated 8 km from the bus stand, Dolphin’s Nose is a flat rock that overlooks a stunning gorge 600 meters below. A rocky trail leads to the viewpoint, where orange juice vendors offer a refreshing stop. This point offers spectacular views of the plains, and a short walkway leads to the Pambar Falls, also known as the “Liril Falls,” made famous by a 1985 Liril Soap commercial shot here.
Kurinji Andavar Murugan Temple
Located 4 km from the bus stand, this temple is famous for the Kurinji flower, which blooms once every 12 years. The temple is dedicated to Sri Kurinji Easwaran, a form of Lord Murugan. Built in 1936 by a European woman named Leelavathi, who later became a Hindu follower and married Mr. Ramanathan, the temple is an important religious site in the region.
How to Reach
- By Air: The nearest airports are Madurai at 135 km, Trichy at 200 km, and Coimbatore 170 km. By train, the nearest stations are Palani at 64 km, Kodai Road at 80 km, and Dindigul at 100 km.
- By Road: The Palani-Kodai road is a journey of 2-3 hours. From Periyakulam, a shortcut of 28 km via Kumbakkarai is under construction. There are vehicles to take you to the city of Kodaikanal such as rented bicycles, taxis, vans, and limited city buses, but not rickshaws.
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