Kodaikanal Travel Guide
Kodaikanal is the most beautiful and popular hill station in Tamil Nadu. It is located in the famous Palani Hills in Western Ghats and is known as the Princess of hill stations. Kodaikanal is situated about 7,200 feet above the sea level. Kodaikanal is the most sought after honeymoon destination in South India because of its scenic beauty and it has the attribute to leave any nature lover mesmerized by its charms.
The word Kodaikanal means gift of the forest in local language. The dense forest with many varieties of trees, the huge rocks in the wilderness and the enchanting waterfalls, makes it a real gift for the tourists visiting this place. Kodaikanal is famous for eucalyptus oil, homemade chocolates, plums and pears. Kodaikanal is famous for the kurinji – flowers, which blossoms only once in twelve years. Woolen clothing is available at cheaper rates in the Tibetan refugee bazaar.
There are many internationally renowned educational institutions like Kodaikanal International School, Kodaikanal Christian College etc, in and around Kodaikanal. Mother Theresa University, which is India’s one and only women’s university, is located in Kodaikanal. A tourist can indulge in various activities – one can go for cycling, horse riding, boating, trekking and many more adventurous activities. Kodaikanal is influenced with Christian culture and the sculptures in the churches of Kodaikanal are worth a visit.
How to Reach In Kodaikanal
- Air – There are 2 airports that are accessible from Kodaikanal. They are Madurai and Coimbatore. Coimbatore is the major airport which is connected to all the other big airports of India.
- Rail – Kodai road at a distance of 100 km is the nearest rail station. There is also the option of availing the Dndigul Railway station (90 km). It is comparatively bigger as a city and better accessible.
- Road – State Highway 156 runs through Kodaikanal. Chennai, Trichy, Pondicherry, Madurai,Palani, Dindigul and Coimbatore are the cities that have direct connection via buses.
Distance of Kodaikanal from Below Places:
| Place | Distance (KM) |
|---|---|
|
Madurai |
120 |
|
Coimbatore |
170 |
|
Thiruvananthapuram |
333 |
|
Bangalore |
465 |
|
Chennai |
526 |
|
Hyderabad |
1033 |
|
Kochi |
313 |
Weather
Kodaikanal Temperature
- Summer (Mar to May) – Temperatures are moderate and range between (11°C) to (23°C)
- Monsoon – (Jun to Sep) – With heavy rainfall happening at regular basis, this is not a good season for tourists
- Winter – (Oct to Feb) – Temperatures are lower and range between (3°C) to (20°C)
- Best Time to Visit – Though you can visit Kodaikanal all through the year including the monsoon, Oct to Mar is the best season for tourism as the temperature remains low and sky is clear
What to See In Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal Lake
It was built by the former district collector of Madurai Vera Levinge. He used his finances and constructive ideas to magically transform a marshy wasteland into a series of lakes. Presently the Kodai Lake looks splendid with its glistening water against the evergreen hilly background. The hills act as source of water to suffice for the 60 acre lake.
Coaker's Walk
It is a man made pathway carved out on the slopes of the hillocks of Kodaikanal. It is named after its developer Lt. Coalker in the late 19th century. While walking on this 1 km long pathway, one can get to observe the serene views of surrounding hills and valleys. In addition, tourists may have the rare experience of observing one’s shadow cast upon the clouds.
The telescope house is situated at the northern corner of the Coaker’s Walk. Inside the house, there is a high quality telescope which enables a person to observe a highly amplified, clear and sharp picture. Hence tourists get fascinating sights of the adjacent towns and valleys.
It was built by H.D. Bryant, a forest officer in the pre-independence era. With an area of 20 acres, the park is the abode of many brightly colored flowers and buds. Inside the park, one may find a rose tree and a green house. Flower shows are organized in the summer season.
It is a rock shaped like a dolphin and hence the name. It is a popular tourist spot, situated 8 km from the main city of Kodaikanal. From this point, one may get a splendid view of the Nilgiri hills.
Located near the Pillar Rock, it is one of the most ancient churches of Kodaikanal and is a very pacific place. This is a specimen of Gothic architecture. The church is decorated by stained glass windows and paintings which describe the sacrificial life and principles of the Great Jesus Christ.
It is a small garden in the North East side of Kodaikanal. Its amazing features are the lovely flowers and elegantly designed bushes. Kurinji is a lovely purple colored flower seen only once in a year. The atmosphere is refreshing with green meadows and tall trees.
These are the highest waterfalls in the state of Tamil Nadu. These are generally quite emphatically visible from the Dum Dum rock, located on the Kodaikanal Ghat road. From a far off point, the waterfall appears like a silvery line. The terrain is such that tourists can observe the waterfalls near to the centre.
It is a premier anthropological site, where one can discover information about our ancestors especially those belonging to the Neolithic age. Dolmen refers to a structure with three legs, bearing a megalithic crypt. Besides dolmens one can find kistavens.
The Pillar rocks are three granite boulders which are seen standing vertically shoulder to shoulder and it is now a very famous tourist spot for many visitors. These rocks are measuring a height of about 400 feet from the ground and the chambers that are seen between the two pillars are known as Devil’s Kitchen. The Pillar Rocks have gained popularity as the years have passed by and during the peak season there is a huge rush of visitors to this place. The shady woods that are in the vicinity of these huge boulders are a perfect spot to enjoy a picnic.
The Bear Shola falls is another favorite tourist spot in Kodaikanal and it is called so, because in earlier days bears used to come and drink water from this fall. It is one of the most ideal picnic spots in Kodaikanal town and is at a distance of about 2km from the lake and about 1.5km from the bus stand.
It is ideal to visit the Bear Shola Falls during rainy season to enjoy the beauty of the falls in its fullness. The approach road to this falls is a rugged hill path and hence suitable means of transportation is necessary to reach the falls.
Devil’s Kitchen is a very dangerous deep hidden ravine that looks like small dark gutters but are actually a deep fall. There are plenty of tourists who visit this place and is a must see spot for adventurous tourists. The Devil’s Kitchen is found to be lying between Green Valley View and Pillar Rocks. It is better for a tourist to seek the help of localities while visiting the Devil’s Kitchen as they are fully aware of the place. It is a very good place to take pictures but due to the deep fall, many tourists hesitate to visit the place.
Earlier known as Suicide point, now this area is known as Green Valley View and it provides a picturesque and panoramic view of the plains, valleys, hills and the Vaigai dam.
The deep, dense and dangerous valley below this point is more than 5000 feet drop and to get a good view from this point, it is better to visit the place after 10 am and before 3 pm, as early mornings and evenings will have mist covering the valleys.
A tourist visiting Kodaikanal should definitely visit this viewpoint and plenty of monkeys seen in this area will be an added attraction for the children as well as the adults visiting this place.
It is a 55m long waterfall, giving the illusion of a sparkling stream having silver strands, hence the name. One can also find monkeys near the waterfall.
Palani Hills are undulating plains divided into four forest ranges. These are one of the most primitive mountain ranges in India. It has many prominent peaks like the Vandaravu and Ibex peak.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Murga who is the Lord of the Hills. It is named after the Kurinji flower, which is quite widespread in the surrounding hilly areas. It was developed under the protégé of Leelavathy Ramanathan in the pre independence era.
Other Details
What to Do
- Cycling around the lake. Cycles are available on rent beside the lake.
- Boating at the lake.
- Horse Riding.
- Visiting the Ram Parai View Point. This is located just near the observatory.
Where to Eat
- Carlton Hotel — This place serves Indian and Continental in a limitless buffet system.
- Altaf’s Cafe —Located at Vattakanal. Indian and Middle Eastern dishes are the specialty here with assorted breakfasts. This open air café is the best place to relax and rejuvenate.
- Tava Street — PT Rd. A pure veg option with yummy gobi k paranthe and sev puri.
What to Buy
You may fill your bags with homemade chocolates, spices, herbal oils, incense sticks, embroidery, t-shirts and jewelry while you are here.
Get Around
Tourist cabs and taxis are available for local commute.
Top Destinations - Tamil Nadu
– Chennai
– Kanyakumari
– Kodaikanal
– Madurai
– Ooty
– Rameswaram
Popular Tour Plans - Tamil Nadu
1-3 Days
1. Ooty (2N/3D)
2. Kodaikanal (2N/3D)
4-6 Days
1. Ooty-Kodaikanal-Munnar (6N/7D)
2. Bangalore-Mysore-Ooty (6N/7D)
7-10 Days
1. Alleppey-Kovalam-Kanyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram (7N/8D)
2. Munnar-Alleppey-Periyar Sanctuary-Kovalam-Kanyakumari (10N/11D)
>10 Days
1. Chennai-Pondicherry-Kodaikanal-Madurai-Rameswaram-Kanyakumari (12N/13D)
2. Chennai-Pondicherry-Madurai-Rameswaram-Kanyakumari-Kovalam (12N/13D)